A STORIED PAST AND A BRIGHT FUTURE AS LA SALLE’S NEW ALUMNI HOUSE

Editor’s note: A very special thanks to Dr. James A. Butler, ’67, who was the primary researcher, contributor, and curator of the Wister Collection in the Connelly Library here at La Salle.  His book, “Charles Willson Peale’s ‘Belfield’:  A History of a National Historic Landmark 1684-1984” is featured and prominently displayed in the Alumni House at Peale House.  The story published in this latest edition of the magazine is a great reflection of the invaluable work and research of Dr. Butler.

Tucked behind the rolling hills and winding paths of La Salle’s campus sits a building many recognize but few know much about. To most alums of the past three decades, this charming albeit mysterious structure served as the Office of the President. But, when unraveled, the origins of Alumni House reveal a rich and surprising history of tales and legends that date back to the birth of our nation.

“The Alumni House and Belfield Estate have tremendous historical significance in the City of Philadelphia,” said former President of La Salle’s Alumni Association, Jerry Lezynksi, ’82. “That significance was strengthened when La Salle University took it over many years ago.”

Now, after years of anticipation, Alumni House will take on a new La Salle role as a free-standing alumni house, marking the first of its kind for the University and one of just a few across Philadelphia campuses.

“The Alumni Board has been discussing an alumni house for many years but ran into challenges with potential locations, the extensive costs of building a structure from scratch, and other logistical challenges,” says AmyLynn Flood, ’95, former President of the Alumni Association and current member of the Board of Trustees. “Alumni House is the perfect opportunity for such a facility.”

A LOOK BACK

As most historical stories around Philadelphia go, the origins of Peale House begins with William Penn. Sold off in a grant by Pennsylvania’s founding father, the property saw many owners over the centuries. But its most transformative period was under the care of Charles Willson Peale and his family.

Peale was best known as an artist, scientist, and inventor. But, according to “Charles Willson Peale’s ‘Belfield’:  A History of a National Historic Landmark 1684-1984” by Jim Butler, ’67,  his love of gardening, farming, and nature is what drew him to the estate that in 1810 was called “Nieve’s Place.” Looking for a serene place to retire with his wife and five children, Peale called their new home “Persevere” before changing it to “Belfield” after friends suggested the name was too solemn.

Although Peale found the most success with his paintings, his farm and gardens were truly a work of art in their own right. In fact, many of his final paintings depicted the lands he loved so dearly. He began building on the property almost immediately. Over the next decade, there came many changes and structures.

The serpentine-like curvatures of the lands are still visible today and, visitors might be surprised to learn, were no accident. They were suggested to Peale in a letter by his good friend, Thomas Jefferson.

Peale cherished his estate through the years until selling it in 1826 after losing his wife to yellow fever. It was sold to William Logan Fisher and from there was passed down through the family lineage including many Wisters until

Over the years, Belfield Estate and Alumni House continued to see its share of excitement. Legend has it that Belfield was involved with the Underground Railroad, although it’s never been able to be proven. However, author of the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, Harriet Beecher Stowe, visited Belfield, along with Julia Ward Howe, writer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Both women signed a visitor’s tablecloth that is signed with over a hundred other signatures, still in La Salle’s possession today. Also still held by La Salle is a 300-million-year-old fossil that was unearthed on the property.

There’s even a story from 1968 when an unidentified student smuggled a cow from Belfield Farm across Olney Avenue and onto the second floor of St. Bernard’s Hall, pulling off one of the most famous pranks in University history.

A LOOK FORWARD

2018 breathes a new life into this historic landmark as Alumni Relations and the Alumni Association inaugurate it as La Salle University’s Alumni House. This ushers in a new era for Belfield Estate and Alumni House, breathing new life into the property while continuing to honor its history and charm. “The Alumni House will serve as a bridge—transforming La Salle’s historical treasures to the University’s future and its alumni,” Lezynski said.

“It is a historical treasure that La Salle is fortunate enough to have as part of its campus. It has been part of the fabric of this University since its inception and we are in a unique position to expand its use and visibility on campus,” said Flood, who has been working behind the scenes to bring the ideas of an alumni house to life for years. Seeing it finally come to fruition, she says, is “so exciting!”

“The first floor and the ground floor level will be the main areas for alumni to gather, hold meetings, and even conduct business remotely in work stations,” Flood explained. “The Alumni Relations team is moving their offices onto the second floor, so there will be a constant presence in the building. And Admissions will be adding the building as a stop on their tours to allow guests of the University the opportunity to visit one of the National Register’s Historic Places in Philadelphia.”

The legacies of Belfield Estate and Alumni House are now part of La Salle’s legacy and will continue on. Said Lezynski, “The Alumni House is a tribute to La Salle’s history and to its alumni past, current, and future.”

DID YOU KNOW?

• Charles Willson Peale purchased Belfield for $9,500 in 1810

• Harriet Beecher Stowe and Julia Ward Howe signed tablecloths when they visited Peale

•The tenant house on the south end of Belfield was used for Japanese tea ceremonies from the 1980s through 2007

• Legend has it that Belfield is connected to the Underground Railroad (unproven)

• A 300-million-year-old fossil was uncovered on Belfield’s property

TIME CAPSULE

I was walking home from Logan Demonstration School on the first day I was allowed to do so on my own. I was just a tad older than five and my older brother cautioned me not to go over Ogontz Avenue because he said, “the German prisoners at Armory might get you,” So, I started to walk along the stone path shortcut off of Lindley, just a half block from my school. I cautiously walked past the remnants of the house that was about midway because my brother said there might be “ghosts” there. I safely got past the old foundation and felt quite proud… all I had to do now is get to Wister Street and I would be out of the spooky woods.

With abandon, my book bag banging against my back, I crossed 20th Street and knew I soon would see my Father’s mechanic, Mr. Max, at the tiny gas station at Wister Street. I went about 20 feet farther and came to a driveway. As I looked up, a giant bull (was a cow but looked like a bull to me) was staring at me and bellowed so loudly I ran all the way past Wister, past the mill buildings, and up Magnolia to my house! I am now 80 years old but remember that “bull’s” frightful noise very well to this day!”

–Charles Hermann, ’65