Glass plate negatives reveal the past around the turn of the 20th century

The following images were scanned from glass plate negatives that were found in Burke Administration Building on the campus of Olivet University in Bourbonnais, the former St. Viator College. They were passed on to the Viatorian Community Archives earlier this year.

They can be dated from the late 1890s to the early 1900s. Most of the people are not identified yet – let me know if you can identify anyone from your family tree or town. Contact me at jsweeney@viatorians.com

Two priests and group of young men posing behind the old St. Viator campus, chapel (far left). Fr. James F. Ryan, CSV, standing 2nd from right.

Priest (right) shaking his finger at three young men smoking pipes near the chapel

Young cadet standing behind the old St. Viator College buildings (domed chapel, far left)

Group of men and priest (back row center) standing behind St. Viator College buildings. Maternity BVM Church steeple (far right)

Three young men posing around a priest (center back) behind the college campus; chapel on far left

Three Congregation of Notre Dame nuns sitting in a room

Woman standing next to a Congregation of Notre Dame nun sitting

Young girl standing next to table holding candle, First Communion Day

Young boy standing next to table holding a candle, possibly First Communion Day

Young boy standing next to a chair holding a candle, possibly First Communion Day

Woman seated in a chair

Sisters of Mercy nun sitting (blurry)

Young boy standing next to a table

Very young boy standing next to a very young girl sitting

Young man sitting next to table

Young priest sitting, possibly a Redemptorist

Group of 7 young women posing

Group of 9 young women standing outside; man in background

5 young men pose while ice skating, another looks on in the background

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