Photos through the Decades at Meredith College: 1910s

A snapshot from a Gertrude Horn's scrapbook, now held in the Archives. 

Four "around-campus" images from Lucy Sanders (Hood) photo album from 1909-1914. 

A trio of seniors photographed as "Leap Year Hopefuls" in the 1912 Oak Leaves yearbook. According to the quatrains, "Nell is a wall-flower," Ruth, "an old maid" and Fannie, "a suffragette."

"Mail Time" (Oak Leaves, 1913)

Members of the "Soph Club" pose in their Halloween finest, 1913. During this era, Halloween became an occasion for the Sophomore Class to initiate the Freshman class. While the events garnered a reputation as a frightening time for freshmen, the pranks were not taken too seriously.  

"Delightful Social Occasion: The Rook Club Meets." (Oak Leaves, 1914.) In the earliest college catalogs, one rule for conduct was clear: "Dancing and card playing will not be permitted. In regard to these, there is a difference of opinion, but all will agree that it is safe to replace them with other recreations." But rules changed every year - and cards would be a popular recreation for decades.

This photographer's backdrop is also seen in other photos.

For several years Meredith College participated in  a convention of Baptist College students in the mountains of North Carolina. At the center of this 1914-1915 photograph is student Ellen Brewer, who would earn advanced degrees and head the Home Economics Department at MC for 40 years. 

"Varsity Baseball Team." (Oak Leaves, 1915.)

While there was limited room on the 4 acre downtown campus, basketball and tennis were popular recreations. In the December 1910 Acorn, under "Athletic Notes," a writer notes of "our girls": "In the early hours of the morning before class work begins, one can hear their shouts from the basketball and tennis courts, and often darkness comes upon them in the midst of enthusiastic games of some sort."  

Tennis champions, Oak Leaves (1916.) Both women are wearing sweaters with the monogram "M," signifying their athletic participation and accomplishments. 

Convocation in the auditorium. (Oak Leaves, 1917.)

Calisthenics class on the old downtown campus. (Oak Leaves, 1917)

Founders' Day reception. (Oak Leaves, 1917.)

The Kodak Clubs pose with their cameras for the 1918 yearbook. The Archives has possession of photo albums possibly created by these members who enjoyed this relatively new hobby. 

Meredith students pose with a banner on the steps of Main Building, proclaiming themselves as members of the Equal Suffrage League (Oak Leaves, 1918.) 

Students wind around a Maypole, creating an intricate pattern with ribbons. Once the campus moved to its current, roomier location, May Day celebrations became much more elaborate and included a parade and May court. (Oak Leaves, 1918)

"The Mover's Club" was one of those "clubs" that popped up in the early yearbooks, often as a one-time inside joke.  "When the flu was flying" refers to the 1918 epidemic. "Flee from the wrath of Son" refers to the school nurse, Octavia Norwood and her reputation for enforcing the rules. Mrs. Norwood called all students "Son," which in turn became her nickname. Her care, along with that of Dr. Delia-Dixon, was credited with keeping the student body healthy. (Oak Leaves, 1918)

With the country still in the midst of Word War I, Class Day of 1918 had a decidedly patriotic tone. Here, the graduates pose with a U.S. flag and in their Class Day dresses of white skirts and middy blouses.