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From the Xaverian Archives

"Preserving the past to serve the present and future."

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  • Photo of Sigfried Heiles

    Sigfried Heiles 

    Archivist
    (718) 836-7100 x872

"HISTORIA MAGISTRA VITAE EST"  (History is the teacher of life) -  Cicero. 
Fellow Alum,
 
In 2014 (the 50th anniversary of my graduation in 1964), the Brothers’ former food pantry on the 3rd floor, was granted as a space for the Xaverian Archives. Sturdy shelving, two file cabinets and office furniture rescued from the MacKay Place dumpster served to organize an eclectic collection of documents and miscellaneous memorabilia. Items from my student days in the early 60s, my teaching years in the 70s and 80s, and things from the 90s and 2000s when I served as Alumni Director. My random collection had become the foundation of an archives, as I transformed from a mere collector to an archivist.  
 
In the summer of 2017, the collection moved to its current location, the former personal quarters of my colleague and dear friend, Brother Clem, a room with very good vibes. Since then, to the yearbooks, Shore Road Locals, graduation programs, &c., many items have been added: photos, slides, posters, athletic apparel, and physical relics from the past such as fire bells, a telephone booth door and the original mechanical switchboard device from the Main Office. The Archives are a reality. 
 
The growth of the collection is due to scores of alumni engaged in routine house cleaning, moving or downsizing. Recent acquisitions are the rich collection of Shore Road Locals given by Angelique Piwinski ‘73, and the complete records of the Political Affairs Forum (PAF) given by Stephen Rolandi ‘72. When the late teacher John Yanello ‘64 passed, his estate brought to Xaverian a treasure of Dramatics history.
 
A repository of memorabilia for the future, the Archives is also a resource for the present.  Frequent visitors include the History Club and individual students seek information about Xaverian’s past.  A presentation of Xaverian history, symbolism and traditions is now part of new teacher orientation.
 
We are currently engaged in digitization of print materials that may be shared with the Xaverian community online. Your ideas, suggestions, and assistance are always welcome as of course are any of your Xaverian memorabilia looking for a home.
 
Sigfried Heiles, Class of 1964
Archivist

sheiles@xaverian.org
(718) 836-7100 ext. 872
Archives, 7100 Shore Road, Brooklyn, NY 11209
 
GO CLIPPERS !
 

Xaverian

Established in 1957, Xaverian is one of thirteen schools nationwide sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers.