A sneak peek at the Loretto Heritage Center oversized photo collection

At the Loretto Heritage Center, I have had the pleasure of getting to learn about the amazing history that surrounds the Sisters of Loretto. I have been one of the archival assistants here for over two years. I have worked on many projects, from organization of the deceased members’ personnel files to creating spreadsheets for the archivist and so much more. Most recently, I started going through the collection of oversized photos. I have been scanning the photos, and eventually I will put most of them on the public portal. Until then, I get to share some of the photos with you early! I hope you enjoy them as much I have enjoyed processing them.

Loretto Motherhouse images

The first photos I am sharing with you are of the Motherhouse in Kentucky. If you are familiar with the campus here in Kentucky, then you will definitely notice how the campus has changed over the years. These photos amazed me since I was raised just a few miles from the Motherhouse, and I have spent a lot of time here over the years.

I am so curious about what the potted plants might have been. They look like they are tropical plants, but Kentucky has the wrong climate for that!

I was amazed at the foliage in this photo as well. The short trees look like palm trees.

For someone who loves photography as much as I do, the reflection on the water is just lovely.

The panoramic view and the aerial view are very engaging. Each time I look at them I find something I missed.

School images

The second set of photos I am sharing with you are from some of the many schools where the Sisters of Loretto taught.

This classroom looks much different than any classrooms I have ever been in. What about you?

Wonder how children these days would feel about being transported to school this way?

By the looks of this photo, new construction must have been a community event. There is so much going on in this one photo. I have looked at it many times and I find something new in it each time.

What do you think about these photos? Are you thinking what I’m thinking: how did they ever play basketball and tennis in those dresses?

The fashion of the times. I wonder how comfortable the clothing and shoes would have been?

I have such a sense of peace when I look at this photo. In my opinion, it’s so beautiful.

100th Anniversary celebration

The next set of photos are of a special 100th Anniversary celebration for Foundation Day here at the Motherhouse campus in Kentucky. I am astonished at the organization and the time it had to take to plan such an event!

A day in the life…

What do you think these Sisters and postulants were doing in these two photos? Looks like a fun time to me!

Does anyone have a guess about what these postulants may be doing? When Sisters wore habits, it was an important part of their weekly upkeep – starching brims for the veils!

I can’t wait until I have the whole collection scanned and put on the portal. Until then, I hope I have sparked your interest and you are looking forward to seeing them all!