The ACHS is pleased to announce that Tracy Davidson will serve as emcee for the 2026 Commodore John Barry Award Dinner on November 24. A celebrated Philadelphia journalist and 15-time Emmy Award–winning former NBC10 anchor, Davidson brings more than three decades of storytelling, community engagement, and leadership to the event....
- Apr2026
Congratulations to 2026 Research Travel Grant Recipient: Doctoral Student Philip Chivily
April 13, 2026
The ACHS Research Travel Grant is offered to support scholars and researchers working on any project related to American Catholic history who need to conduct research in any archive, library, or repository in the five-county Philadelphia area. Philip Chivily, a doctoral student in history at Baylor University, is researching the...
- Feb2026
Chris Gibbons interviewed about Roman Catholic High School’s “Lost Boys of World War I”
February 12, 2026
Chris Gibbons, member of the ACHS Board of Managers, was recently interviewed by Dave Parker of Holy Spirit Radio about his upcoming book, “Aflame is the West,” where he discusses his search for the alumni of Roman Catholic High School who gave their lives in World War I. Listen to...
- Jan2026
Thank you to all those who joined our January lecture by Deacon Alex Solsma, “Chaplain Kane: The Life and Ministry of Stalag 17’s POW Priest.” In February 1943, Stephen Kane, an Irish-born Catholic military chaplain from Iowa, was captured by the Germans in North Africa. He declined repatriation so he...
Daniel M. DiLella — 2026 ACHS Commodore Barry Award honoree
January 11, 2026
Chairman, Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. DiLella is a principal of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd., serving as the Firm’s Chairman. Under DiLella’s leadership, Equus has grown to become a multi-faceted national real estate investment company with expertise in development, investment, asset management, and property management. DiLella’s career as a real estate...
- Dec2025
Society president, Michael Finnegan was recently interviewed by Global Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Philadelphia as an influential World Heritage City. In the interview, they discuss: Read the interview about the evolution of ACHS and the Barry Award Dinner.
- Nov2025
2025 Barry Award Dinner honors Kerry Alys Robinson, Catholic Charities USA President and CEO
November 21, 2025
Thank you to all our members, friends, and benefactors who joined us at our 43rd Annual Barry Award Dinner to celebrate this year’s honoree, Kerry Alys Robinson. It was a most joyous evening, with nearly 200 individuals filling the Lincoln Ballroom at the Union League of Philadelphia. “The Barry Award...
Michael Finnegan interviewed on Holy Spirit Radio
November 19, 2025
In October Michael Finnegan, president of the ACHS, was interviewed by Dave Parker of Holy Spirit Radio about the American Catholic Historical Society. If you’d like to get some great insight about the society, you can listen to a recording of the interview. Listen to the interview In the interview,...
- Sep2025
Thank you to all those who joined our September lecture by Dr. Joseph Mannard, “The 1831 Scandal of Sister Gertrude: America’s First Runaway Nun.” In this presentation, Dr. Joseph Mannard revealed how American Catholic leadership, male and female, engaged in successful damage control following the 1831 flight of Sister Ann...
John W. Hallahan Girls’ High School exhibit
September 18, 2025
We’re proud to present the new John W. Hallahan Girls’ High School exhibit at the ACHS headquarters. The Hallahan Alumni Association donated the artifacts on display to celebrate the proud history of the country’s first all-girls diocesan Catholic high school. The school was opened to give girls from all backgrounds...