The Rosemary D. Blankley ’57 Gatehouse Arch and Walkway

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The moongate arch rendering for a new construction project.

Rebuilding the Gatehouse Arch: Celebrating Generosity and Community

Beaver College Foundation is proud to announce and join the Arcadia community in a celebration of a new $1M gift from Life Trustee Rosemary D. Blankley ’57, ’06H, designated to restore the University’s iconic Gatehouse Arch. The arch and its pathway, located perpendicular to The Alumni House at Blankley Hall, will now be known as The Rosemary D. Blankley ’57 Gatehouse Arch and Walkway. 

Thank You to Our Donors

  • Rosemary D. Blankley ’57, ’06H
  • Ken Samen ’92 and Melissa Samen ’93
  • Michael Berger
  • Barbara Breeden ’69
  • Elizabeth Warshawsky ’62
  • Susan C. Saxer ’71

Arcadia University’s “Gatehouse Arch”

History

The Gatehouse Arch has been part of Arcadia’s grounds since the construction of the Harrison Estate in the 1890s. Having graced campus for 129 years, it was removed in 2020 owing to concerns over structural instability. 

Arcadia University obtained the necessary authorization to dismantle the Arch, and subsequently the projected restoration expenditure is approximately $1M. In accordance with preservation principles, efforts have been made to salvage and repurpose as much of the original materials as feasible, thereby safeguarding the architectural integrity and historical weight of the monument. 

Significance

The Gatehouse Arch has a significant iconic place at the University. It served as an entry point for students of Beaver College and Arcadia University. It remains an important part of the legacy of Beaver College and had been a visual symbol of our community identity—a landmark  for Glenside and the surrounding communities. 

Today, the Alumni House at Blankley Hall, which originally serves as a welcome point for visitors, will be complete with the return of The Gatehouse Arch.

Three students walk out of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate. The Blankley Alumni House is visible through the arch.
The upper half of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate at Arcadia University. The top of the arch has begun to turn teal.
A close-up of the top of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate arch at Arcadia. The arch is labeled
A close-up of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate. The exterior of the tunnel is labeled
Four students walk in front of Moon Gate arch in front of Blankley Hall. The entrance's exterior is labeled
A black-and-white photo of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate from 1962. The outside of the arch is labeled
A black-and-white photo of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate in 1959. The Blankley Alumni house can be seen behind the arch.
A black-and-white photo of the tunnel of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate from 1957. Two metal gargoyles are attached to the sides of the tunnel. Easton Road is visible on the other side of the tunnel.
A black-and-white photo of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate from 1910. Blankley Hall can be seen behind the arch.
A vintage photo of a gargoyle on Blankley Hall’s former Moongate with an ivy-covered brick wall.
Three students walk out of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate. The Blankley Alumni House is visible through the arch.
The upper half of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate at Arcadia University. The top of the arch has begun to turn teal.
A close-up of the top of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate arch at Arcadia. The arch is labeled
A close-up of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate. The exterior of the tunnel is labeled
Four students walk in front of Moon Gate arch in front of Blankley Hall. The entrance's exterior is labeled
A black-and-white photo of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate from 1962. The outside of the arch is labeled
A black-and-white photo of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate in 1959. The Blankley Alumni house can be seen behind the arch.
A black-and-white photo of the tunnel of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate from 1957. Two metal gargoyles are attached to the sides of the tunnel. Easton Road is visible on the other side of the tunnel.
A black-and-white photo of the Blankley Hall Moon Gate from 1910. Blankley Hall can be seen behind the arch.
A vintage photo of a gargoyle on Blankley Hall’s former Moongate with an ivy-covered brick wall.
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The Easton Road Arch circa. 1962.

The Easton Road Arch circa. 1959.

The Easton Road Arch circa. 1957.

The Easton Road Arch, circa. 1910.

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The Easton Road Arch circa. 1962.

The Easton Road Arch circa. 1959.

The Easton Road Arch circa. 1957.

The Easton Road Arch, circa. 1910.

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