Class histories were a popular feature of the Oak Leaves for decades, starting with the first yearbook in 1904. Each class would complete a narrative, often in the form of a poem or letter, of the events of the academic year just completed. In addition to learning about the events themselves, reading through these class histories is a way to learn about how generations of students experienced them. Class histories are still completed today in different forms, usually for the graduating class at Class Day or for reunions in the form of newsletters or self-published books. More recent class histories are found in class boxes, scrapbooks and time capsules in the Meredith College Archives.
Frances Livingston Johnson wrote the 5-page essay detailing the college career of the Class of 1912 - complete with a sly sense of humor and footnotes - that appeared in the Oak Leaves. Perhaps she passed down her desire for documentation to her sister, Mary Lynch Johnson (Class of 1917), who wrote the first school history, A History of Meredith College.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
