While browsing the web, I stumbled up on a gold mine of vintage dorm life photos from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It featured students from the 1920s-1960s (and before & after these dates), having a fun time in school.

Let’s take a look at what I found on this Vintage Photo Tuesday (collection of vintage images blog posts)!

Students Gloria Fraidin and Marianne Johnson hang out in dorm room.

Vintage Photos of Dorm Life

1920s-1960s Images

Moving in Day! 1955 photo of students moving into their dorms. Look at those super white shoes in the trunk. Fancy!

Source: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. Special Collections and Area Research Center

Moving in with the help of Dad. An early 1950s photo.

I shared the below image in my last post on ‘Vintage Samsonite Advertising‘, but it was too good to not reshare again (those saddle shoes!).

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S05632

1955 (maybe a bit later) photo of two young women holding giant teddy bears in the students lounge in their residence.

I’m slightly terrifed of the bear on the right BUT our young woman’s leopard print capris & matching collar on her sweater is to die for! Love!

Source: Stevens Point Area Research Center : Lot 231, Box 23, Students-Candids, Folder 1

These co-eds make a fashion statement in stripes while relaxing in their dorm building. C. 1950s.

So many fun things to look at in this photo. The illustration of the girl in her loungewear on the wall. The cool Mid-Century curtains. Our one girl with a hair net on to protect her hairstyle and of course the stuffed animals. So fun!

Source: Flickr- UW-Stevens Point Identifier: Lot 231, Box 23, Students-Candids, Folder 1

1960 photo of students eating pizza and drinking sodas in their dorm room.

Source: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. Special Collections and Area Research Center

1950s vintage photo of two young men learning how to iron.

Source: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. Special Collections and Area Research Center

Whether it was the 1950s or the 1960s (like below), laundry had to get done.

Women students ironing in a dorm room in Trowbridge Hall, which opened in 1960. The building was named for faculty member and history professor Myrtle Trowbridge. C. 1961 (Source).

UW- La Crosse Identifier: UW-L photos_Activities_Studying

1920s photo: A group of female students lounge around their dorm room before bedtime.

Source: Flickr- UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S15006

1940s Photo: Ann Emory Hall bedroom with a young woman in 1940s fashions making notes.

Source: Flickr-UW Madison Archives Identifier: S13067

This photo might fall into the 1970’s but it also could be late 1960s. I’m not 100% sure (no date on the photo), but it was too historical to not share. 3 young Black women share a laugh in their dorm room surrounded by posters of historial Black figures & a “Black is Beautiful” image.

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S14102

An older woman holds a pillow while two younger women (in cute two piece skirt suits) stand by an open suitcase in a dorm room. C. 1940s

Source: Flickr-UW Madison Archives Identifier: S05602

A Mid-Century decorated snack bar at the Sellery Hall Dorm, I think late 1960s. I love the Starburst clock and of course the cool Tiki’s on the wall.

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S12210

Party time at the dorm! Jack Vazina and Dave Thompson, in waiter uniforms, work the bar during a party in Swenson house of Kronshage hall. C. 1949.

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S12187 & S12186

Sample women’s dorm room; UW-Madison.

Two women examine a sample dormitory room for women at Memorial Union. in 1935 (That is some coat on our lady on the right and I love her 1930s shoes. Very cute).

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S05648

1950s Photo: The “Dorm Den”. A “den where the boys relax” in one of the dormitories. A group of young men are reading, chatting and listening to the radio.

Source: University of Wisconsin–Madison. Archives : S05633

Room of the times. 1960s student dorm with posts of JFK, Peanuts, and Simon & Garfunkel.

Source: University of Wisconsin—Madison. Archives S16709

The last photo of this set is a fantastic one for those who love 1940s fashions & 1940s hairstyles because there are some stunning dresses and outfits in this photo from 1948.

Now what are we looking at exactly? Robert “Rabbit” Roemer, candidate for Dorm Duke, standing with his female admirers. What is “Dorm Duke”? No clue! If one of my readers know please share in the comments below.

Source: University of Wisconsin—Madison. Archives S17087

I hpoe you enjoyed this post on Dorm life in Wisconsin. Please share any thoughts you wish to share in the comments section below (maybe fav photo, what dorm life was like for you etc. ).

On a personal note, I lived in a dorm for one year when I attend “Toronto Metropolitan University from 1999-2003”. My first year in the big city and my first dorm experience (I had already attended 3 years of college at this point but lived at home). It was a lot of fun and I’m glad I did it.

Thanks for dropping by!

FURTHER READING:

• Vintage Photo Tuesday-Collection of vintage photo blog posts 1920s-1960s
• Vintage School Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived blog posts)

Liz