School Archives

The mission of the School Archives is to collect, preserve, and make available the primary and secondary source materials that relate to the history and spiritual heritage of Georgetown Visitation. Furthermore, it seeks to promote and support the study and understanding of the important and complex history of Georgetown Visitation.

A pillar of the St. Jane de Chantal Salesian Center, the archival collection of documents, photographs, art, and artifacts preserves and celebrates the treasures of our school’s history and the Sisters of the Visitation’s Salesian charism. In tandem with Monastery Archives holdings, this collection bears witness to over 220 years of Catholic education for young women in Washington, DC.

The study of the past serves as a lesson on understanding the present and future. The Archives:

• Actively collects and preserves documents, photographs, and many kinds of unique items relating to Georgetown Visitation throughout its history;
• Collaborates and engages with students, faculty, staff, Sisters, alumnae, and the public;
• Provides exhibits and displays within the school to showcase its history;
• Provides resources and ideas for curriculum development that not only connect students to the school’s legacy, but also teach vital research and critical thinking skills;
• Responds to and assists in research requests from students, faculty, staff, alumnae, researchers, and the public; and
• Recognizes and promotes the totality of GV history and provides avenues for reflection and understanding that promotes the human dignity of all people past and present.

We promote the School Archives as a relevant and vital resource for the intellectual and spiritual formation of all members of the Visitation community. As an academic institution, we maintain that the study of the past serves as a lesson on understanding the present and future. The objects gathered over the course of a school’s life tell a story of people, places, and times. Learning Visitation’s story—which is really layers of stories—expands our knowledge, strengthens our community, and deepens our faith.