Archives
University Archives and Special Collections
Brenner Library houses the unique collections associated with the history Quincy University, previously called St. Francis Solanus College (1860-1917) and Quincy College (1917-1993), as well as the history of Adams County and Quincy, Illinois.
Researchers are asked to contact Brenner Library (library@vbj4.com or 217-228-5432) to schedule a visit.
See individual collection descriptions for more information.
Genosky Collection
The Genosky Local History collection contains materials gathered by Fr. Landry Genosky, O.F.M. (1914-1994). The scope of the collection covers the history of Quincy, Illinois, and highlights the role Quincy played during the Civil War and Steamboat era. The Genosky collection contains documents and photographs from 1830-1980 and measures about 75 linear feet.
Fr. Genosky taught history at Quincy University (1960-1975) and was a Civil War historian. This collection came together through his research efforts and donations from local families.
– Primary source documents: letters, diaries, and legal papers
– Secondary source documents: booklets, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and research reports
– Photographs: multiple photographic formats; portraits, street views, public buildings, schools, businesses, and private homes.
The Genosky Collection is available to researchers by appointment only.
National Catholic Band Association
The National Catholic Band Association (www.catholicbands.org) was founded in 1953 to promote band music instruction and performance in Catholic Schools. Approximately 15 linear feet of official documents, records, schedules, and photographs from the Association are housed in Brenner Library.
Ms. Pam Potter, long-time band teacher at Quincy Notre Dame High School in Quincy, Illinois, collected and donated the collection to Quincy University Archives in May 2004.
The National Catholic Band Association materials are available to researchers by appointment only.
Hyatt Folklore Collection
The Hyatt Folklore Collection, created by Dr. Harry Hyatt (1890-1980), is unique among folklore collections in the United States, as it consists of material related to the study of African American folklore. Dr. Hyatt maintained records of his interview notes, personal letters, documents, scrapbooks, and photographs from his travels and research conducted in North Africa, Europe, and the United States between 1920 and 1970.
Of special interest are the audio cassettes of interviews with Dr. Hyatt reminiscing about his life’s work; these recordings provide context for the physical collection.
The collection measures 25 linear feet. Due to the fragile nature of some materials, only part of the collection may be accessed for research by appointment only.
Rare Book Collection and Incunabula
When Brenner Library was being planned in the late 1960s, the Huck family provided funding for a temperature and humidity-controlled room to house rare materials.
Many of the items this collection were brought to the United States by members of the Franciscan Order in the early 1800s. The Franciscans settled across the Midwest, founding churches, schools, and seminaries including St. Francis Solanus College. In 1931, the Franciscan Order gathered rare materials from Franciscan parishes across the United States. The collected volumes were then housed in St. Louis. After the completion of Brenner Library in 1967, selected materials were moved to Quincy University.
Among the 3500 volumes housed at Brenner Library are 41 of the oldest and rarest books in print. These prized 41 are called “Incunabula” and are registered with the United States Library of Congress. (INCUNABULA (loc.gov)) “Incunabula” is a Latin term meaning “in the cradle,” referring to the earliest days of printing in Europe – from the first use of movable type to the turn of the century (1455 to 1500). The balance of the Franciscan materials date from 1501 to the 1890s.
The Huck Room also provides space for the oldest materials owned by Quincy University.
Due to the unique and rare nature of these items, use of the Huck Room is limited to researchers by appointment only.
Tibesar Japanese Collection
The Tibesar Japanese Collection consists of letters, documents, books, photographs, and artifacts including coins and artwork belonging to Fr. Leopold Tibesar.
Fr. Tibesar (1898-1968) was a member of large, well-known Quincy family which also included his brother, Fr. Seraphin Tibesar, former president of Quincy University. The collection was amassed while Fr. Leopold Tibesar performed missionary work in China and Japan. Fr. Tibesar was a Maryknoll missionary; additional information about his service can be found here: Father Leopold H. Tibesar, MM – Archives (maryknollmissionarchives.org)
Fr. Tibesar was a missionary to China from 1927-1932, and to Japan before and after World War II (1933-1940 and 1946-1959). During World War II, Fr. Tibesar returned to the United States and followed his Seattle parish of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants to the internment camp in Minidoka, ID. Although not allowed to live at the camp, Fr. Tibesar offered daily masses and helped college-aged prisoners gain release to attend Quincy College. (Setting Japanese American Captives Free – Maryknoll Magazine) After the war, he returned to Japan and served as head of several Catholic charities; he was later recognized by the Japanese government for his work.
The Tibesar Japanese Collection measures nearly 30 linear feet. These materials are available to researchers by appointment only
QU Jubilee of 1912
Jubilee is a published keepsake celebrating the 52nd year of St. Francis Solanus College. The document is a record of events and people from the institution’s humble beginnings in 1860 to its accomplishments by 1912.
The college was named in honor of St. Francis Solano (1549-1610) who spent 14 years performing missionary work in South America, especially in Peru.
St. Francis Solanus College was founded as:
“…an institution for the higher education of boys and young men under the direction of the Order of Friars Minor, or Franciscans, of the Sacred Heart Province. It is officially recognized by Bishops and Priests as the Diocesan College of the Catholic Diocese of Alton, Illinois. There is, however, nothing local or provincial in its character, and its student body is recruited from all parts of the country, and even from abroad” (p. 5).
Please schedule an appointment with the library to view the Jubilee.
Fr. Augustus (Augustine) Tolton
Fr. Tolton was born to enslaved parents on a plantation in central Missouri. During the Civil War, the Tolton family fled to Quincy, Illinois. Augustus was drawn to the priesthood and encouraged in his studies by the Franciscans serving at St. Francis Solanus College. With their support, he studied for the priesthood at the Vatican in Rome. He was ordained there in 1886 and returned to Quincy, becoming pastor of St. Joseph Church.
In 1889, Fr. Tolton was transferred to Chicago to serve an African American parish. During a heat wave in 1897, Fr. Tolton collapsed on the street and died at Mercy Hospital. At his request, his body was returned to Quincy for burial. In 2010, the Augustus Tolton cause for canonization was announced. Pope Francis advanced Fr. Tolton to The Venerable Father Augustus Tolton in 2019. (Home – Augustus Tolton (archchicago.org))
Brenner Library holds a variety of materials related to the life and work of Fr. Tolton including newspaper articles, copies of letters, photos, cabinet cards, and essays written by area historians.
Fr. Tolton Memorial Wall – St. Peter Church (cospq.org) – a timeline with images.
For additional information, or access for research purposes, contact library@vbj4.com or 217-228-5351.
Gyrfalcon QU Yearbook for 1949-2001
The Gyrfalcon yearbooks were published from 1949-2001, recording Quincy University students, activities, and events. Existing volumes are digitized and available to view, search, or download in multiple formats. The yearbooks are accessible through Internet Archive here. Search Quincy University, Quincy College, or Gyrfalcon to view available issues.
Gyrfalcons are the largest species of falcon living on the Arctic coasts and islands of North America, Europe, and Asia. Quincy University’s mascot is the Hawk, so it is fitting that The Gyrfalcon was the yearbook and The Falcon was the student newspaper.