Call Number:

00.58

Repository:

Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections

Extent:

0.17 cubic feet

Language:

English

Date:

1925-1940 (bulk) and 1925-2005 (inclusive)

Creator:

Creese, James and Monefeldt, Edward H.

Abstract:

Drexel alumnus and former adjunct professor Edward Harold Monefeldt (1907-2005) was born and raised on a sugar cane plantation with his seven siblings in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Mr. Monefeldt's long relationship with Drexel University began by chance. Upon his graduation from high school Monefeldt was accepted by MIT, Carnegie-Mellon, and the University of Pennsylvania. Monefeldt chose the latter. However, he failed the Spanish entrance exam upon his arrival to the UPenn campus (Monefeldt would later remark that this was absurd given that Spanish was his native language). Unsure as to what to do next, the young Monefeldt wandered around University City and soon came across the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. He immediately enrolled. During the next few years Monefeldt was an active student who participated in football, track, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E.) and the R.O.T.C. Shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering on June 13, 1932, Mr. Monefeldt joined the National Guard. Specifically, he was a part of the 103rd Engineer Regiment ("the Dandy First"), which was founded in Philadelphia in 1747. After fifteen years as a Combat Engineer, Montefeldt returned to Drexel and spent the next nineteen years as an adjunct professor at the Evening College. He was forced to leave this position in order to make enough money to care for his ailing wife. It was this impetus that inspired him to become co-founder of a consulting company in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon his wife’s death thirty years later, Monefeldt returned to Philadelphia. Continuing to have warm feelings for his alma mater, Monefeldt attended his class reunion in 1991—the 100th anniversary of Drexel University; he remained involved with Drexel until his death in 2005.

Sources: Lexerd (1932) and an interview with the Office of Institutional Advancement (September 2000).

The Edward H. Monefeldt collection gives a concise, yet interesting glimpse of the alumnus and professor’s adult life from 1925 until 2005. However, most of the collection’s items date from approximately 1925 until the late 1930s. Most comprehensively represented are his years as a student at the former Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, as well as his time in the 103rd Engineer Regiment of the American National Guard. The collection is largely composed of black and white photographs, including pages from a scrapbook. However, printed materials such as letters, booklets, and maps are also present. The collection arrived at the archives with no discernible original order. Given its small size, arrangement into series has been considered unnecessary. The collection is comprised of seven folders arranged in loosely chronological order.

The first folder contains miscellaneous photographs that date from 1925 until the 1940s. A majority of the photographs depict Monefeldt’s time with the 103rd Engineer Regiment. Also included is a 1925 photograph of Monefeldt taken before he went to the United States for college. Another item of note is the group photograph of the Drexel Institute R.O.T.C. 1932 graduating class.

The second folder holds pages of a scrapbook containing photographs from Monefeldt’s time at Drexel and early years with the 103rd Engineer Regiment (therefore, dating approximately from the 1920s to the 1930s). The remnants of the scrapbook are in fragile condition, with many of the photographs having become loose. A few of the snapshots are annotated on the back, presumably by Monefeldt himself.

The third folder contains Monefeldt’s diploma from the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry. He received this degree, a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, on June 13th 1932.

The fourth folder possesses a miscellaneous assortment of printed materials from Monefeldt’s time with the 103rd Engineers Regiment of the National Guard, and date approximately from 1932 until 1945. Included are a map of Fort Howard, and a map displaying the "route of march on the continent 22 July ’44 to 9 May 1945." Also of interest is the booklet entitled "A Souvenir of the First Army Maneuvers 1940."

The fifth folder contains a letter written to Monefeldt by President James Creese on April 26, 1955, which extends to Monefeldt the appointment of Adjunct Assistant Professor.

The sixth folder contains Monefeldt’s alumnus materials that date to 1991 and 2001. Amongst the items included is a letter from President Richard Breslin, dated April 26, 1991, inviting Monefeldt to Drexel University’s Centennial celebration and Golden Dragon reunion. Photographs of Monefeldt and his daughter, Jane Monefeldt Strock, at this reunion are also included.

The seventh, and final folder, holds a letter of condolence from the National Society of Professional Engineers, written on October 3, 2005, after Monefeldt’s death.