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 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.
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.
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.
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.
1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity – members singing at the piano (1952).
The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto-1952.
Editorial staff of the “Hill Top”, the student paper at Howard University-1946.
Source: Life Photo Collection
East York (Toronto) Student Panel-1949.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
Wonderful images! They aren’t exactly fitting the stereotype of poor uni students in that last one!
I choose to imagine that the Dentettes are a dance group made up of Dentistry students 🙂
I think you might be right on the dentistry students! How fun 🙂
Yes the 1920’s students are uber glam (the glam squad).
That last photo is amazing! I like the dorm room one too, they look like they are having fun!
Makes you want to join the dorm room party, doesn’t it 🙂