Behrend’s 75th Anniversary

Explore some immersive experiences that follow Penn State Behrend’s College History.

Behrend Virtual Tours

Glenhill Farmhouse

Turnbull Hall

Federal House

Erie Hall

Wilson Picnic Grove

Mary Behrend’s Studio

Virtual Tour

Wintergreen Gorge

Virtual Tour

Glenhill Farmhouse Virtual Tour

Glenhill Farmhouse Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

The family’s original mansion was on the Hammermill site, which was convenient for managing the plant, but came with the unpleasant smells of papermaking and much sawdust in the air which made its way into the house. Beginning in the late 1920’s the Behrends began buying farms in Harborcreek to build a new home and outbuildings. The Glenhill Farmhouse was meant to be a home for their farmer, and they intended to build a larger one behind it on the hill, but that plan was abandoned. They hired renowned architect R. Brognard Okie of Philadelphia to bring their dream to fruition. Okie had worked on the renovations of Pennsbury Manor, home of William Penn, and the Betsy Ross house and had built new houses for other prominent people. The Behrends enjoyed their first night there at Thanksgiving of 1933. Since the inception of the campus in 1948, it has served as the administration building, but in the early days it was also used as the women’s dorm.

Turnbull Hall Virtual Tour

Turnbull Hall Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

Turnbull Hall, as we know it today, was originally the barn for Glenhill Farm, likely housing Harriet’s horses. When the Behrend Center first opened, the barn was still in active use; on the first day of classes, workers were cleaning out the horse stalls on the first floor while students attended classes upstairs. After the passing of beloved history professor and WWII veteran Thomas Turnbull in 1956, students dedicated their yearbook, Bits of Behrend, to him and petitioned Penn State to rename the barn Turnbull Hall in his honor. Over the years, the building has served many purposes, including housing offices, classrooms, and even the campus library.

Federal House Virtual Tour

Federal House Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

Built by Thomas Rees, Harborcreek’s founder. rumored to be an underground railroad stop. Several generations of the Bonnell family (also longtime Harborcreek family) and later, two-generations of the Miller family.

Federal House Virtual Tour

Federal House Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

Erie Hall Virtual Tour

Erie Hall Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

The original Erie Hall was so named because the citizens of Erie raised the money to build it and it was used heavily for high school dances; the basement was undivided, and the engineering students later built the internal walls

Wilson Picnic Grove Virtual Tour

Wilson Picnic Grove Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

Built by Norman Wilson, Hammermill’s second president. It was to honor his wife, Flora Nick Wilson, who had been Mr. Behrend’s secretary. It was dedicated on November 9, 1971. Flora and Ed Nick (of Nick Building fame) were related in some way. Ed’s grandson called her Aunt Flora, but they had different parents. I have Sarah Koczan trying to translate a German family history document I found on Ancestry that might clear it up. Both of Norman’s brothers worked at Hammermill. Bruno was buried nearby. The grill was built by the Behrends. There was once a horseshoe pit there.

Mary Behrend Studio and Monument Virtual Tour

Mary Behrend Studio and Monument Virtual Tour by VAR Lab
on Matterport

The Behrend’s “small barn” served as Mrs. Behrend’s art studio; famed local artist Joseph Plavcan was her teacher; used as student lounge, library, theatre (first play there in 1949; first play in Erie Hall 1954) and the Mary Behrend’s Monument was installed in October 2015.

Wintergreen Gorge Virtual Tour

Click the area above to visit the tour!

Image Gallery //

Fasenmyer Construction
Behrend Faculty (1949)
Erie Hall Rooms Contruction done by students
Drama Club November 5th 1954
Behrend Campus Aerial View
Balmer
Behrend Campus Aerial View
Behrend Campus Aerial View
Behrend Campus Aerial View
Reed Spiral Construction (1988)
Weitz recieving award from Irvin Kochel
Wreath Hanging
TRF 1948
Suites Construction 1991 with Apartments
Snowball Dance Preperations
Wilson Picnic Grove (1958)
Dedication (1962)
Nick Building
Visit from Mary Behrend
Love's German Class on May 5th 1955
Lilley Library Naming
Lilley Library Naming
Glenhill Cook: Shuttle
First Behrend Faculty 1948-1949
Inside of Federal House During Renovation May 1st 2019

Meet The Chancellors //

Portrait painting of a man seated in a green armchair

T. Reed Ferguson

1948 to 1954

Portrait painting of Irvin Kochel in academic regalia

Irvin H. Kochel

1954 to 1980

Portrait painting of John Lilley in academic regalia

Dr. John M. Lilley

1980 to 2001

Dr. John D. “Jack” Burke

2001 to 2010

Portrait of former Penn State Behrend chancellor Donald Birx

Dr. Donald L. Birx

2010 to 2015

Portrait of Penn State Behrend Chancellor Ralph Ford

Dr. Ralph M. Ford

2015 to Present

75th Anniversary-AR Experiences/3D Objects //

Cuneiform Tablet from Hammermill Factory

View Model

Cuneiform Tablet

Cuneiform Tablet by VAR Lab
on Sketchfab

Cuneiform tablet from the Hammermill Paper Company archives, located within the Penn State Behrend Archives, in the John M. Lilley Library (https://libraries.psu.edu/about/libraries/john-m-lilley-library/penn-state-behrend-archives).

Scanned September 02, 2022 at VAR Lab using an Artec SpaceSpider structured light scanner.

Cuneiform Tablet

Cuneiform Tablet by VAR Lab
on Sketchfab

Scanned September 02, 2022 at VAR Lab using an Artec SpaceSpider structured light scanner.

Collage of historical Behrend photos used in the 75th anniversary project

Behrend College AR Experiences

View Collection

Behrend College AR Experiences

Behrend College AR Experiences by VAR Lab
on Sketchfab

A collection of historical images turned into AR (augmented reality) based experiences to be viewed while exploring the Penn State Behrend campus,

Behrend Family History

Explore some immersive experiences that follow the Behrend Family History.

Meet the Family

Mary Behrend

Mary Brownell Behrend was born into privilege in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 29, 1879. In 1907, she married Ernst Behrend, whom she met during a trip to Erie, Pennsylvania, while visiting a finishing school friend. This friend introduced her to some of the most eligible local bachelors, including Ernst. Mary’s early diaries and scrapbooks revealed the Renaissance woman she would become. She pursued domestic interests such as gardening and crafts, but she also had a competitive edge. In 1902, she was crowned the women’s golf champion of Rhode Island. her later years, Mary turned to the arts. She transformed her art studio (now the Studio Theatre) into a creative haven, where she took painting lessons from renowned local artist Joseph Plavcan. Many of her works still hang in her cherished Glenhill Farmhouse, a place she deeply loved. Mary was instrumental in its design, often exchanging daily correspondence with the architect to discuss every detail, down to the door hinges. After Ernst passed away in 1940, Mary returned to New England. In 1948, she donated Glenhill Farm to Penn State as a tribute to her husband’s passion for education. She remained connected to the campus, visiting frequently. A decade later, Penn State awarded her the newly established Penn State Medal, recognizing her contributions. Mary Brownell Behrend passed away on July 5, 1976, at the age of 96.

Ernst Behrend

Ernst Behrend, born in Coeslin, Germany on March 29, 1869, was a man of remarkable drive and precision who left an indelible mark on both his business endeavors and his personal life. He studied at the Dresden and Charlottenburg Polytechnic Institutes and served as a Lieutenant in the Prussian Mounted Artillery. Ernst, alongside his father and brother, founded the Hammermill Paper Company in 1898. It eventually became a Forbes 500 Company, known for its progressive employee policies, including vacations and pensions. In 1902, Ernst and his brother, Otto, patented a unique watermarking device, significantly boosting the company’s success. Ernst was deeply committed to the Erie community. He served on numerous boards, was president of the Community Chest, and played an active role during World War I as a Four Minute Man, delivering inspiring speeches to garner support for the troops. Ernst and his wife Mary were avid world travelers. They embarked on many commercial cruises until 1929 when they took possession of their custom-built yacht, Amida, in Keil, Germany. During its maiden voyage to the United States, the yacht and its crew rescued 10 sailors from a capsized schooner during a fierce gale. Ernst passed away at Glenhill Farmhouse on September 20, 1940. He was awarded an honorary PhD from Thiel College in 1936 and was posthumously inducted into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in 2012.

Harriet Behrend

Daughter Harriet Ellen Behrend Sayre Ninow led an adventurous life. Born on January 4, 1911, in Boston, Massachusetts, she attended Spence School and later Vassar College, where she developed a passion for equestrianism and participated in horse shows. Harriet was also an accomplished markswoman, earning the title of “Women’s All-Bore Skeet Shooting Champion” in 1941. During that tournament, she met Caryl Sayre, a widower raising two young daughters, Calista and Suzanne. They married at Glenhill in 1942, and Harriet later gave birth to two sons, Richard and William. The family settled on Long Island, where Harriet became a tireless charity worker, even dedicating a second telephone line in her home for this purpose. Like her mother and her uncle Otto, Harriet enjoyed golf. She also served on the Behrend Council of Fellows and received the Behrend Medallion in 1981 for her service and contributions. After Caryl’s passing in 1963, she married Earl Ninow, a Navy psychiatrist who later became chief of White House military aides under President Lyndon Johnson. Tragically, Earl died in a plane accident on August 13, 1984. At the time of Earl’s death, Harriet was already battling cancer. She passed away on December 28, 1986, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, resilience, and service.

Warren Behrend

The elder of the Behrends’ two children was their son, Warren Moritz Behrend. Born on March 14, 1909, in Rhode Island, Warren attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. During his time there, he and his friend Ned Richardson embarked on a memorable journey by train to Washington, D.C., where they retrieved the family car and headed south to Charleston, South Carolina, to join their family for Christmas aboard the family yacht, Amida. Tragically, on December 19, 1929, near Pleasant Hill, North Carolina, Warren swerved to avoid a school bus that had cut in front of him. He died instantly, though his friend Ned survived the crash. Warren was honored with two simultaneous funerals: one at the National Episcopal Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and the other at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Erie. A cross-shaped stone memorial was erected at the crash site but was later moved to Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery, near the family chapel that holds his remains along with those of his relatives. His grieving parents sold the Amida to an Egyptian shipping magnate at a fraction of its original cost. They also built a new pool and dedicated a visiting room in his memory at Deerfield Academy. In 1950, Behrend Center students dedicated the first campus yearbook, *The Cub*, to Warren, ensuring his memory lived on within the campus community.

Otto Behrend

Otto Behrend, born on October 17, 1872, in Coeslin, Germany, earned a PhD in chemistry from the University of Rostock in 1896. Despite his scientific background, Otto served as treasurer of Hammermill Paper Company from its inception until his retirement in 1953. He was briefly married but remained a beloved figure among Hammermill employees. Otto was an honorary member of the company’s women’s organization, the Cosmos Club. Beyond his professional life, he was passionate about dogs. As the founder and first president of the Erie Kennel Club, he exhibited his prized Russian wolfhounds at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club as well as at local shows. Upon his passing on May 20, 1957, Otto left an extraordinary legacy. He donated $1.1 million to Penn State Behrend, which was used to construct the Otto Behrend Science Building—the largest gift Penn State had received at the time. Additionally, he bequeathed his farm to the Millcreek School District, which continues to serve the community as Asbury Woods, a beloved nature and education center.

Bernard Behrend

Bernard Arthur Behrend, the youngest son of Moritz and Rebecca Behrend, was born on May 25, 1875, in Villeneuve, Switzerland. He earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Berlin in 1894. Throughout his career, Bernard worked for several prominent companies, including Bullock Electric Manufacturing Company, where he rose to the position of chief engineer, as well as Allis-Chalmers and Westinghouse, before founding his own consulting firm. Bernard achieved significant recognition for his work. In 1904, he won a gold medal at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition for his invention of a turbo-alternator while working with Bullock. In 1902, he authored *The Induction Motor: A Short Treatise on Its Theory and Design*, the first book dedicated to this new technology. Over his lifetime, Bernard published numerous books and articles, held over 80 patents, and counted among his friends both Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. He received the prestigious John Scott Medal in 1912 for his contributions to high-speed machinery and an honorary doctorate from the University of Darmstadt in 1931. Bernard married Margaret Plummer Chase in 1926. Although they had no children, their legacy endured through his contributions to engineering and education. Bernard passed away on March 25, 1932, and is buried alongside his brother Otto, sister Henriette, and her husband Wilhelm Brust near the Behrend Chapel. His wife later donated his papers to Clemson University, ensuring that his contributions to the field of engineering would be preserved for future generations.

Mary Behrend

Ernst Behrend

Harriet Behrend

Warren Behrend

Otto Behrend

Bernard Behrend

Image Gallery //

Bernard (Left) and Bernard (Right)
Otto Behrend
Bernard Behrend
Otto Behrend Portrait
Harriet and Bruno
Harriet and Bruno
Young Ernst
Glenhill Renovation
Otto and Warren
Mortiz and Rebecca
Mary Behrend with Warren and Harriet
Mary Behrend in Wedding Dress
Young Mary Behrend With Harp
Mary Behrend with Christmas Decorations
Young Mary Behrend
Bruno with Bunny
Glenhill Renovation
Ernst With Harriet
Ernst With Baby
Ernst on Horse at Hammermill Plant (1905)
Ernst Having a Drink
Eddy, Otto, and Ernst in Germany
Serb with Dogs
Mary Behrend
Bruno and Family
Mary with Dog
Horses In Front of Turnbull
Harriet Standing on Horses
Horses at Turnbull
Glenhill Renovations
Harriet Skeet Shooting Practice
Glenhill Renovations
Glenhill Renovations
Bernard Behrend
Otto Behrend
Old House with Horse and Buggy
Farmhouse Animals
Sled Horses outside of Turnbull
Harriet and Caryl Sayre (bottom left) met at Skeet Shooting event and eventually married
Glenhill Renovations
Harriet Smoking
Garden_Statue
Behrend's Garden
Harriet with Sled
Harriet on Sled
Bruno in Garden
Buno and Bunny Statue

Behrend Family -AR Experiences/3D Objects //

Collage of 3D-scanned Behrend historical objects and statues on Sketchfab

AR Experiences

View Collection

Behrend Family AR Experiences

Behrend History App

by VAR Lab

on Sketchfab

3D Objects

View Collection

Behrend Family 3D Objects

Behrend Archives
by VAR Lab
on Sketchfab

Mary Behrend’s Journal //

Explore Mary Behrend’s Journal that span throughout the 1900s compiled and digitally preserved by DIGIT (Digital Media Arts and Technology) Students at Penn State Behrend.

Vist Site Here

Behrend’s 75th Anniversary

More Immersive Content and an Interactive AR Smartphone App Coming Soon

Behrend Virtual Tours

Behrend Family History

Meet the Family

Garden_Statue