Rare video footage shows Penn State in the 1950s

“Introducing Penn State–1950s,” originally a 16-millimeter film to promote Penn State, has recently been digitized by Penn State University Archives, in The Eberly Family Special Collections Library, University Libraries, and is available for viewing on YouTube.

The film documents the expanding mission of Penn State as a university, when after WWII the college became a university. “Not afraid to take the lead,” Penn State took agriculture into the field and out to the farmers with continuing education; explored the role of the new medium of television in higher education; created the Commonwealth Campus system to accommodate students who chose to obtain their education locally and continued to be a leader in scientific research, teacher training, and engineering expertise, and it pioneered progress in all aspects of higher education, including the classroom, dormitories and the libraries.

A visit back into time with this film gives the viewer a real-sense of what it was like to be at Penn State in the 1950s -- a treat for those who remember those years and the curious who wonder what the University was like more than 60 years ago.

For more information about the University Archives or for questions about the physical access provided, contact Jackie Esposito at 814-863-3791 or jxe2@psu.edu.