The start of a new school year is quickly approaching so I thought I would continue a Vintage Photo Tuesday I shared last year on “Student Life” from the 1920s-1950s. This grouping of photos for this round is from Wayne State University (Michigan, USA) and focuses on the 1940s-1950s.

Let the Back to School Vintage Photo Party begin!

Vintage Photos of Student Life

1920s-1950s Part 2

Registration day! No computers to do this online for these students, just good old fashion inkwells and pens -Circa 1940s.

1940s vintage photo of Student College Life. — Source: Wayne State University

1940s vintage photo War Bond/Savings Bond Drive-1945.

1940s vintage photo of a War Bond/Savings Bond Drive-1945 vintage photo of student life — Source: Wayne State University

1950s vintagae photo of a Frosh Board game that features a man climbing a rope ladder to reach a woman. It advertises the prize of “Win a Kiss.”

1950s vintage photo of student life, A Frosh Board game that features a man climbing a rope ladder to reach a woman. It advertises the prize of "Win a Kiss." — Source: Wayne State University

1940s / 1950s vintage student life photo. Taking a break from the daily grind of homework for soda fountain drinks with friends. Hello awesome picnic basket blouse!

Having drinks at a soda fountain -Late 1940s early 1950s student life vintage photo — Source: Wayne State University

“Lets talk about that school project we have to work on”. Friends hanging out at school cafeteria in the 1950s at Wayne State University.

Friends hanging out at school cafeteria in the 1950s at Wayne State University. Vintage Photo — Wayne State University

1940s Vintage Student life Photo. “If we stare at the fireplace long enough, a fire will happen”. 1940’s Students gathered around a very regal fireplace.

Group of university students at Wayne State University gathered around a fireplace in the 1940s. 1940s Vintage Student life Photo — Source: Wayne State University

1950s Photo: A Puppy & Wayne State Lettermen Sweaters make for one adorable photo opportunity.

Vintage of 2 men in Lettermen sweaters from Wayne State University hanging out in the 1940s. -1940s vintage student life photo. — Source: Wayne State University

The Men’s Glee Club-1957 photo.

Further Reading: School Clubs – Vintage Photos & Back To School: Vintage School Clubs Part 2

1950s vintage photo of the Glee Club at Wayne State University — Source: Wayne State University

1950s Photo: 10 finalists for Homecoming Queen. I wonder which lovely lady won?

1950's Homecoming queens. Vintage photo of the 10 finalists in fantastic 1950s fashions and saddle shoes. — Source: Wayne State University

Go Team Go! WSU Cheerleaders in the 1950s.

Further Reading: Cheerleading-The Vintage Edition

1950's vintage Photo of 3 Cheerleaders at Wayne State University — Source: Wayne State University

A mixed formal/Halloween costume dance. Seems only one person dressed up for this 1950s party.

1950s vintage photo of a college Halloween dance featuring some in halloween costumes and the rest in 1950s eveningwear. — Source: Wayne State University

“X over Y equals the sum of all it’s parts. Do you have it yet boys?”. 1940s/ 1950s vintage photo.

1940s 1950s Student Life Vintage Photos from University featuring a young woman teaching 3 men a topic on something from school. — Source: Wayne State University

That final photo brings us to a close on student life at Wayne State University. I hope you had a fantastic time browsing the photos and I think I’m going to keep it up focusing on different schools all over North America for future VPTs. Would you like to see more friends? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Photos 1920s – 1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Vintage School Posts 1920s – 1960s (Archived Posts)
Vintage Yearbook Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived Posts)

Liz

As we all remember (or maybe don’t), school was not just about books and tests it was also about all the fun activities you could do outside of your regular classes. For example, I was in Drama club when I was in high school. I was terrible but I loved being part of something that made me smile and was my choice to be involved in. I also enjoyed the dances because I love to dance and dress-up and I got to do both a few times a year. Win!

Today’s “Vintage Photo Tuesday” is all about this “life outside of the classroom” and features students from various levels of education and schools from the 1920’s-1950’s.

Let’s take a look!

vintage image of students at university of Chicago — Source: University of Chicago Archives

Vintage Photo’s of Student Life: 1920s-1950s

1940s Vintage Photo, October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches.

1940s vintage photo of students in art class studing a painting. October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches. — Source: Library & Archives Canada

Meeting of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University-1946.

Source: Life Photo Collection

Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend.

1940s vintage image of 1948 image of young men with a portable radio in suits - Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend. — Source: University of Toronto Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo of Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

1950s vintage photo of two young women in traditional Chinese dresses on the lawn at a San Antonio College. Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

Source: sacurrent.com

A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review. While I’m not sure what a “Dentette” is at the University of Toronto, I do know it looks like they are having fun.

1940s image of young women in 1940s outfits doing a kickline pose for the camera. A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review. — Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity – members singing at the piano (1952).

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity - women members singing at the piano (1952) in 1950s fashions. — U of T Archives Image Bank

The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto-1952.

1950s vintage photo of a School Dance at University of Toronto Vintage Image from 1952-The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto — Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

Editorial staff of the “Hill Top”, the student paper at Howard University-1946.

Editorial staff of the "Hill Top", the student paper at Howard University. 1940s vintage photo of black students.

Source: Life Photo Collection

East York (Toronto) Student Panel-1949.

1940s vintage photo of the 1949 East York Toronto Student Panel — Source Toronto Archives

The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students (Source). Here is a group performing “Peas and Beans”, 1946.

1940s vintage photo of student life: Jordan River Revue, "Peas and Beans" ," The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students — Source: IU Archives

The Book Nook Commencement was a mock commencement ceremony that took place at the Book Nook, a popular student hangout in the 1920s located at Indiana and Kirkwood Avenue. A combination soda fountain and bookstore, the Book Nook was known for its music and the sometimes rowdy behavior of its customers. For many years the Book Nook played a significant role in Indiana University student culture (Source).

Notable IU alum musician and composer Hoagy Carmichael was a frequent patron (Seen below at the piano, 1939), and it is said he composed his most famous songs, Stardust, at one of the Book Nook booths.

Hoagy Carmichael at the Book Nook University of Indiana 1939 Vintage Image — Source: IU Archives

Dorm Life at the University of Chicago, 1950’s.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Dorm Life in the 1920s-1960s

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940’s University of Chicago.

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940's vintage image of student life at the University of Chicago. — Source: University of Chicago Archives

I’m now going to end this week’s VPT with the most outstanding vintage student life image..ever! It is from the 1920’s at the University of Chicago. WOW! what style!

1920s vintage image of two women in 1920s fashions and young man in 1920s college fashion talking together outside of the University of Chicago — Source: University of Chicago Archives

I hope you enjoyed this week’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday’. Share your favourite image in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Vintage Photos 1920s – 1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Vintage School Posts 1920s – 1960s (Archived Posts)
Vintage Yearbook Posts 1920s-1960s (Archived Posts)

Have a super day friends!

Liz

Category: Back to School