A gallery of images comparing historic Penn State photographs to their present day locations. From Old Main to the Nittany Lion Shrine, much has changed and much remains the same on Penn State's University Park campus. Click on image above to view gallery.
Carnegie Then Now
Carnegie Building on Penn State's University Park campus was built through a donation from industrialist Andrew Carnegie and was dedicated on November 18, 1904. The building originally served as Penn State's library until 1940. Currently it is occupied by Penn State's College of Communications. This photo illustration shows both how the building looked while under construction, and what it... Read more ›
Carnegie Construction OLD
Carnegie Building on Penn State's University Park campus was built through a donation from industrialist Andrew Carnegie and was dedicated on November 18, 1904. The building originally served as Penn State's library until 1940. Through the years the facility has been home to Penn State's School of Journalism as well as the Daily Collegian. Currently it is occupied by Penn State's College of... Read more ›
Carnegie Historical NEW
Carnegie Building originally served as Penn State's library until 1940 replacing the first campus library housed in Old Main. Through the years the facility has been home to Penn State's School of Journalism as well as the Daily Collegian. Currently it is occupied by Penn State's Bellisario College of Communications. (Photo 2017)
NitLion Shrine old new
Joseph Garratti, an assistant to sculptor Heinz Warneke, roughed out the front leg of the Nittany Lion Shrine during creation of the famous limestone sculpture. Warneke and his crew of artists completed the sculpture in early October of 1942 and it was formally dedicated on October 24 of the same year and presented to Penn State by the class of 1940. The 2012 Senior Class Gift will add... Read more ›
Lion Old 1
Joseph Garratti, an assistant to sculptor Heinz Warneke, roughed out the front leg of the Nittany Lion Shrine during creation of the limestone sculpture. Warneke and his crew of artists completed the sculpture in early October of 1942 and it was formally dedicated on October 24 of the same year and presented to Penn State by the class of 1940. The 2012 Senior Class Gift will add enhancements... Read more ›
T and P Lion 505
The Nittany Lion Shrine resides near Recreation Hall Park and is the most photographed location on Penn State's University Park campus.
Time and Place - OldMain Sandwich Shop C Mash CC
A look at the basement office space in Old Main that houses University Development today, right, and how the same space looked when it housed the Old Main Sandwich Shop.
Time and Place - OldMain Sandwich Shop A
The Old Main Sandwich Shop was located in the basement of Old Main. Seen here in the late 1930's, it was a popular spot with faculty, students and staff for breakfast and lunch. It was closed in 1953 following the construction of the HUB-Robeson Center.
Time and Place - OldMain Sandwich Shop B
Today the former basement location of the Old Main Sandwich Shop is home to Penn State's University Development office. The distinctive archways remain a prominent feature of the space.
Time and Place: East Steps Old Main then and now
The steps at the east entrance to Penn State's Old Main, 1954 and present day.
Time Place: Old Main East Steps circa 1954
Penn State students on the steps and around the east entrance of Penn State's Old Main, circa. 1954. Prior to construction of the HUB (Hetzel Union Building) in 1955, Old Main housed a student union area, a sandwich shop, offices for student organizations, lounges and meeting rooms.
Time Place: Old Main East Steps present day
Students making their way to and from class near the east-steps, entrance to Old Main: Present Day.
Ag Experiment Station old new fullsize
The Agriculture Experiment Station was the first agriculture building on the Pennsylvania State College campus. Built in 1889, the Ag Experiment Station was founded by President George Atherton as one of America's first centers for agricultural science research. In 1975 the building was renamed the Arts Cottage and today houses studios for art students and faculty. Although altered from the... Read more ›
Ag Experiment Station 1922
The Agriculture Experiment Station was the first agriculture building on the Pennsylvania State College campus. Built in 1889, the Ag Experiment Station was founded by President George Atherton as one of America's first centers for agricultural science research. In 1975 the building was renamed the Arts Cottage and today houses studios for art students and faculty. Although altered from the... Read more ›
Ag Experiment Station 2012 'Arts Cottage'
The Agriculture Experiment Station was the first agriculture building on the Pennsylvania State College campus. Built in 1889, the Ag Experiment Station was founded by President George Atherton as one of America's first centers for agricultural science research. In 1975 the building was renamed the Arts Cottage and today houses studios for art students and faculty. Although altered from the... Read more ›
Time Place Frescoes mash fullsize
Anne Varnum Poor, daughter of artist Henry Varnum Poor, adds fresh plaster to one of Penn State's Land-Grant Frescoes in the Old Main lobby in this 1940 photograph as staff from the Penn State's film unit (Delmar Duvall at camera and Edward Leos directing) prepare to record the artists working on the wall.
Time Place- Frescoes Old
Anne Varnum Poor, daughter of artist Henry Varnum Poor, adds fresh plaster to one of Penn State's Land-Grant Frescoes in the Old Main lobby in this 1947 photograph as staff from the Penn State's film unit (Delmar Duvall at camera and Edward Leos directing) prepare to record the completion of the mural. The Land-Grant Frescoes grace the upper walls of Old Main lobby and pay tribute to Penn... Read more ›
Time Place-Frescoes Today
The Land-Grant Frescoes on the east wall of Old Main's second floor lobby. All 1,300 square feet of Varnum's murals have recently undergone restoration to preserve the art and revive the original color scheme. (Photo: 2017) Visit Old Main Frescoes for more... Read more ›
The Corner 1890s and Today Full Size
Today 'The Corner' continues to be a popular gathering place for the Penn State and State College community. Now home to the Hotel State College and the Corner Room restaurant, the historic location has served the region for more than 150 years and remains a community landmark.
The Corner Circa 1890
'The Corner' in downtown State College circa 1895. Located directly across College Avenue from Penn State's main gate and known then as The Nittany Inn, the location was a popular gathering spot for the students,staff and faculty at the relatively new Penn State College.
The Corner Today
Today 'The Corner', located directly across College Avenue from Penn State's main gate, continues to be a popular gathering place for the University and State College community.
Penn State Time_Place -Allen St Gate
Prior to 1940 Allen Street continued through Penn State's main gate at the intersection of College Ave. Today, an iron gate and sidewalks replace the original street. The old photo of the main gates and Allen Street running through the University Park campus was taken circa 1924. View more photos from this series... Read more ›
Campus Gate Old
Prior to 1940 Allen Street continued through Penn State's main gate at the intersection of College Ave. Today, an iron gate and sidewalks replace the original street. This photo of the main gates and Allen Street running through the University Park campus was taken circa. 1924.
Campus Gates Today
Prior to 1940 Allen Street continued through Penn State's main gate at the intersection of College Ave. Today, an iron gate and sidewalks replace the original street. The Allen Street Gates leading to Penn State's University Park campus are today a popular thoroughfare for walkers and bikers entering and leaving campus.
Time Place-University House MashC-101
University House, as it looked in 1890, and today. The house was originally designed and partially financed by Penn State's first president, Evan Pugh. Pugh never lived in the home due to his untimely death in 1864. Today, University House remains on its original University Park location and is part of the Hintz Family Alumni Center.
Time Place-University House-103
University House was built in 1864 and was home to 11 Penn State Presidents (1864-1970). Today it is part of the Hintz Alumni Center and is the oldest structure on the University Park campus.
Time Place-University House-MASHB-101
University House, as it looked in 1890, and today. The house was originally designed and partially financed by Penn State's first president, Evan Pugh. Pugh never lived in the home due to his untimely death in 1864. Today, University House remains on it's original University Park location and is part of the Hintz Family Alumni Center.
