Hidden Treasures: America’s First Drexel

In the early 19th century, the University’s founder’s father, Francis Martin Drexel, left his native Austria to become a famous portrait painter in America. He ended up creating a banking dynasty that led to the creation and funding of Drexel University.

Hidden Treasures: Drexel’s Outdoor Public Art

There is a lot of art hidden in plain sight on Drexel’s University City Campus that you might be walking by every day.

Exploring Drexel’s Diverse History, One Class Project at a Time

A new spin on an old class enabled Drexel students to research areas of University history that spoke to them, such as women, LGBTQ+ students, working-class students and international students at Drexel.

Sacred Remains of Saint Katharine Drexel Installed in Philadelphia

Saint Katharine Drexel, the niece of Drexel University founder Anthony J. Drexel, was sainted in 2000. Her sacred remains were transferred to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul this year.

Founder Anthony J. Drexel's Art on Campus — and at Home

Much of the art found on campus today used to hang in founder Anthony J. Drexel’s home, as he bequeathed much of his personal art collection to the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry upon his death.

Drexel’s Codebreakers Help Raise Over $800K on Day of Giving

The second Day of Giving was even more successful than the first, pulling in a whopping 3,707 donors to nearly triple the event’s target.

Break the Code on Drexel’s Annual Day of Giving

For the second year in a row, Drexel’s campus will host a day of activities and excitement during the Day of Giving: 24 Hours of Impact event. This year’s race to solve puzzles, unlock codes and break open a time capsule takes place May 24.

A.J. Drexel Picture Gallery Gets a Retro Makeover

With a renewed layout and returned paintings, the A. J. Drexel Picture Gallery looks completely different to modern viewers, but remarkably similar to what students and faculty would have seen at the turn of the 20th century.  

Hidden Treasures: Our Founder’s Piano

In addition to being a great financier and philanthropist, Drexel’s founder was an accomplished musician with an incredible taste in music. After he died, his family donated one of the pianos from his home to the University — and you could even play it today.

The Chocolate Factory on Campus and Other Past Lives of Drexel’s University City Buildings

Back in the day, Drexel was just one building surrounded by a tuberculosis ward, a candy factory, a bank and many other buildings that would later become a part of the University.

The Forgotten Founders of Drexel Institutions

Anthony J. Drexel founded Drexel University, of course. But there are other institutions now ingrained in Drexel’s DNA — like the College of Medicine and the Academy of Natural Sciences — that were founded by other innovators in the 19th century.

How Did Drexel Celebrate its Other Anniversaries?

The entirety of this academic year will be spent celebrating Drexel’s 125th anniversary. What was it like on campus during the University’s other milestone years?