In our search for nostalgia and a glimpse into the past, vintage photos of school clubs from the 1920s to the 1950s have become a beloved window into a bygone era. These snapshots not only reveal the fashion trends and school culture of the time, but also offer a unique perspective on the lives of young students during those decades.
Get ready to travel back in time and discover the charm of these vintage photos.
PDS/USN, “1928 Cinema Club,” University School of Nashville Archives
The Hoofers Ski Club of the University of Wisconsin (1940’s-1949)
Source: UWDC
Members of the Fashion Club at University of Wisconsin get ready before a show (1950-1959)
Source: UWDC
Group shot of the Phoenix Club with a basketball (1930s-1940’s). What is the connection between basketball, the Phoenix and their slogan?
Source: UWDC
This student group from the University of Chicago is unidentified on their website, but I’m going to assume that is probably the Book Club.
University of Chicago Photographic Archive, [apf digital item number, apf4-03524], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
When the Debate Club gets together they always bring their trophy’s to keep their “Eye on the Prize”. The University of Chicago Debate Club, 1950’s.
University of Chicago Photographic Archive
1950’s Camera Club at the University of Chicago taking a picture of a pretty young woman in a stylish 1950s dress and hairstyle.
University of Chicago Photographic Archive, [apf digital item number,apf4-01697], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
University of Toronto’s Medical Glee Club-1948.
Source: Heritage University of Toronto
University of Nashville-1930’s French Club. There are some super 1930s coats, hairstyles and patterns in this image. Wow!
University School of Nashville Archives, https://usnarchives.omeka.net/items/show/146.
1954 Record Club at the University of Nashville.
University School of Nashville Archives, accessed May 9, 2017, https://usnarchives.omeka.net/items/show/422.
Household Arts Club 1950’s, University of Nashville. Don’t they all look like they are having fun?!
PDS/USN, “Household Arts Club,” University School of Nashville Archives, accessed May 9, 2017, https://usnarchives.omeka.net/items/show/330.
That is it for this post friends, I hope you enjoyed this week’s Vintage Photo Tuesday. Share what your favourite photo was in the comments section below.
August is now gone and that means all the kiddies and older kids are back to school. Sigh..bye bye summer.
Going to school was always something I enjoyed and I have some pretty great memories during those years. I do though vividly remember my first dance of University, I was so nervous and excited all at the same time. I just left my small “ish” home town and had moved to the big City of Toronto to live. I had no idea what the future held but I knew that it was never going to be a dull movement, and boy has it not!
Now going with this theme of “Back to school” and since I’m a fan of the 1940s I thought I would like to do a post on what College life looked like during those years. First up I know it looked nothing like my early 2000’s university life, hahaha 🙂
So are you ready to take a class in “1940s Collegiate Style and Collegiate Life” with me as seen thru pictures?
Vintage Photos of 1940s Collegiate Life
Time to move into your dorm (1940’s Photo). These lovely ladies look fresh-faced and ready to tackle the world. I love the luggage and hat box! And the dress with the Peter Pan collar is a very practical and pretty.
Source: UMW Centennial
The caption for this 1940’s picture is: Class Officers in front of Gate at University of Mary Washington.
Saddle Shoes! Great skirts and jackets! Look at their hair?! Oh my this photo is simply and truly wonderful. 1940s Collegiate Style right here ladies and gentlemen.
Source: UMW Centennial
Studying in the Dorm
Not much in way of great clothing look here, BUT did you notice all the great details in the room? First up, can you see the handsome serviceman on the bookshelf? I saw him instantly! How about that great clock? Do you think it’s Bakelite? I also adore the bread-spreads. Burberry has nothing on these beds.
1940s vintage photo of women in a cooking class, making the perfect pie.
Maybe the ladies above were studying up on how to make the perfect pie as seen below? Mandatory for a woman in the 1940s to be able to do, I’m sure.
Source: UMW Centennial
Time to Join a Club!
Okay this picture has so many fantastic things happening. First up according to the caption on this picture this is “Campus Jane and Campus Joe, members of the University of Miami ‘M’ Club-1946″. Right there I’m in love, how cute is that?!
Next up, their style. When I think of 1940s collegiate style this is EXACTLY what I think of. Saddle shoes (I love my saddle shoes), his collegiate sweater with the M, her wool skirt with cardigan which is just wonderful. Never mind the woman behind them with that great figure and dress. I also think they are too adorable for words. No words!
Like sports? How about joining the golf club? hahaha “Golf Club”!!! Okay I’m done making silly jokes 🙂
For a fan of vintage clothing this picture has so many amazing things happening in it, I don’t even know where to start? The skirts, tops, shoes, HAIR! So stylish and fantastic to look at and what great form they all have.
Source: UWM Centennial
Transportation to school
If you did not live in a dorm, how were some of the ways you got to school? Well in this fantastic photo the pretty girl with the great car seems to have her way all set. I’m not sure if the guys are interested in her or the car though?
Can you spot the fun beanie hat and those great shoes on the guys?
Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital
Or maybe you had to take the bus like these students at Duke University.
Source: Duke Yearlook
Doing your part for the war effort
During the early part of the 1940s a big part of school activities was helping with the war effort. These pretty ladies are collecting scrap at Duke University to “Help rub out the axis with scrap rubber“.
Source: Duke Yearlook
Learning First Ad, very important as you never knew when you might need it. Future nurses?
Source: Duke Yearlook
Letting off some steam
After a long day of school and studying (and helping with the war effort) it’s always fun to kick up your heels and listen to a good band, like at this welcome Party.
I love the beanies that the Freshman girls were probably expected to wear. I also see some great patterns on dresses.
How about a dance with your significant other on a Saturday night? These two couples look like they are having fun. I also adore the peplum dress that is longer in the front, I wonder what colour it was?
Source: UMW Centennial
Maybe dancing was not your way of relaxing, so how about a swim with your college chums?
Students at the University of Miami in 1944 enjoying a day off from their studies.
Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital
And there you have it friends, a peak into 1940s collegiate life. I think they were wonderful photos, during a time that was not the easiest for many of these men and women. Don’t you agree?
Do you have good school memories? Or would you rather just forget they ever happened?
