Class Year

2008

Files

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Document Type

Student Research Paper

Publication Date

Spring 2006

Description

There is a tablet in Gettysburg College’s Plank Gym, partially obscured by trash bags and stacks of materials and boxes, that reads, “THIS TABLET IS PLACED IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF GEORGE CROLL BAUM, A.M., B.A., THE ARCHITECT OF THIS BUILDING, BY A GRATEFUL ALMA MATER.” These commemorative tablets are not rare at Gettysburg. In the same room as Baum’s tablet is one for Eddie Plank, the famed deadball-era hurler for the Philadelphia Athletics and member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Across the campus, there are tablets commemorating graduating classes, historic moments, and historic people. One could ask several pertinent questions: why does Baum, who is just one particular architect for the College, have a tablet? Was Plank Gym his only contribution to the College’s development? What else did Baum design? Perhaps more simply: who was George Croll Baum? [excerpt]

Course Information:

  • Course Title: HIST 300: Historical Method
  • Academic Term: Spring 2006
  • Course Instructor: Dr. Michael J. Birkner '72

Hidden in Plain Sight is a collection of student papers on objects that are "hidden in plain sight" around the Gettysburg College campus. Topics range from the Glatfelter Hall gargoyles to the statue of Eisenhower and from historical markers to athletic accomplishments. You can download the paper in pdf format and click "View Photo" to see the image in greater detail.

Keywords

Gettysburg College, Hidden in Plain Sight, Plank Gym, George C. Baum, architect

Disciplines

Public History | United States History

Department 1

History

Campus Location

Plank Gym

George C. Baum – His Life, His Work, and His Relationship with Gettysburg College

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