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Heritage Room

The Heritage Room at Mount Saint Joseph displays items that help tell the story of the Ursuline Sisters who first arrived in what is now known as Maple Mount in 1874. Items include possessions of Mother Augustine Bloemer, the first local superior; Father Paul Joseph Volk, who brought the Ursulines from Louisville to open Mount Saint Joseph Academy; and Mother Aloysius Willett, who led the Sisters to become an independent community in 1912, and was elected the first mother superior. Many items on display help depict the life and ministries of the Ursuline Sisters throughout the 20th century.

The Heritage Room is located just inside the first floor northern entrance to Lourdes Hall, adjacent to the Archives offices. The area was once home to the Angela Oratory, and some of the books and items remain on display telling about the life of the Ursuline founder, Saint Angela Merici.

The Heritage Room can be toured upon request by contacting Archivist Edward Wilson.

Sister Sharon Sullivan looks over items in the Heritage Room.
Mother Aloysius Willett's desk and personal items.
Assistant Congregational Leader Sister Martha Keller looks at photos of Saint Angela Merici on the top of a bookcase filled with historic items.
Sister George Mary Hagan said that this chair is short enough to slide under a bed. The young women could sit down on it to put on their shoes. She also talked about how they used the butter churn.
Vintage furniture and other items are on display.
Father Volk's life-size image is next to his desk.
16. This homemade rocking chair used to be in the original log cabin used by the Stelmach family. It was in the Mount Saint Joseph Park.
This lute belonged to music instructor Sister Marguerite Younkers, and the violin was used by Sister Mary Victor Rogers when she taught children at Brescia.
This Cloister sign was used in the Lourdes Building until Vatican II, back when people were prohibited from entering the building.
There were the Offertory Bells used in the original Mount Saint Joseph Chapel.
Rosaries and other items used by Mother Aloysius Willett can be found in the new displays.