American Indian Movement and Activism (Elder John Thomas Digital Archives)

This collection contains digital representations of select documents from the archives of Lenape Elder John Thomas of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. These objects pertain to activism and the American Indian Movement and relate to topics such as self-rule, treaty rights, education, prisons, natural resources, environmental activism and genocide. Items are on loan to Ursinus College as part of the Welcome Home Project.

Special thanks to Ursinus College students Katherine Slater, Class of 2026, and Seamus Clune, Class of 2027, for their assistance with organization, research, digitization and description of these items.

Grizzly Guide to Wealth: Webinars (Grizzly Guide to Wealth)

The Grizzly Guide to Wealth is a webinar series hosted by George Psaradakis (’21) that provides fundamental education on personal finance topics. We welcome Ursinus College alumni in the financial profession to provide insights and share their knowledge that they believe every student should know.

Ursinus College Fraktur Collection (Pennsylvania Folklife Society Collection)

Fraktur — decorated, Germanic manuscripts and printed documents— is one of the most iconic forms of American folk art. The name is derived from the Latin fractura (breaking) and refers to the broken or fractured style of lettering known in German as Fraktur. The anglicized term “fraktur” is used in America more broadly to refer to Pennsylvania German decorated works on paper. The most common type is the Geburts-und-Taufschein (birth and baptismal certificate), which typically includes the child’s name, parents’ names, location and date of birth and baptism, and godparents’ or baptismal sponsors’ names. The popularity of these certificates reflects the importance of baptism within the Lutheran and Reformed faiths, to which the majority of Pennsylvania Germans belonged. Other common types of fraktur made by the Pennsylvania Germans include birth records (used by Anabaptist groups such as the Mennonites, who did not practice infant baptism), Vorschriften (writing samples), Haus-Segen (house blessings), valentines or Liebesbriefe (love letters), New Year’s greetings, religious texts, family records, bookplates, and rewards of merit. Less common are marriage certificates and death memorials. Some fraktur are decorated with Scherenschnitte, or cutwork, a technique that can also be used by itself.

The entire Ursinus College fraktur collection — which numbers more than 125 pieces — is accessible in this gallery. Each record includes an image, transcription and/or translation, attribution, bibliographic references, and any additional information. More fraktur may be added to form a larger database over time in partnership with other institutions, auction houses, and private collectors. Contact info@historictrappe.org to learn more.