Aerial Views

[Mount Holyoke College]

History

On January 8, 1835, South Hadley was selected as the location for the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Construction of the Seminary building started immediately, and the first 77 students entered on November 8, 1837. In 1888, Mount Holyoke gained a collegiate charter and was known as the Mount Holyoke Seminary and College. Mount Holyoke received its full collegiate charter in 1893, and is the oldest college for women in the United States today.

The following is a set of aerial views of the campus. There are also a few other, non-aerial views of the campus that didn't fit in any other category.

The Images

All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.

Mount Holyoke College
front "Mount Holyoke College"
back Divided back, unused, stamp box. "Reproduction of a photogravure in sepia, 15x28 inches, published by W. T. Littig & Co., New York."

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back. Published by A. S. Kinney. #B3038. Made in Germany. Postmarked May 10, 1911 5pm in South Hadley. "Am spending a few days here with my cousin and am greatly enjoying my glimpse of college life. The campus is beautiful. We visit Smith College this afternoon. L. McC. L."

Mt. Holyoke College
front Untitled aerial view. The sender put an X on the building where she lived, she said, but it looks like the mark is on the Physical Science building.
back "Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Divided back, postmarked Feb 5, 1934 in South Hadley, and in Izmir, Turkey. Translation thanks to Enis Turcan: "February 2 Friday 1934 My dear sister, I have just came home from the last examination. I have received your 14-15 letters. My health is ok. I have no time to write letters. It is very cold here. Yesterday there was snow here, but today morning the sun is shining. The picture on the postcard is showing a general view of the college with a bird's eye view. Beautiful isn't it? I will send different postcards of the college to you later. Here everything is very beautiful: view, college, but the lessons are killing us!!! Leman Avni" Written to her older sister.

Autumn in New England
front "Mount Holyoke College" The Shattuck windows within autumn ivy leaves. (Thanks, Cynthia, for your help with this one!)
back "Mount Holyoke College/Autumn in New England/South Hadley, Massachusetts/During September and October, Mount Holyoke College is ablaze with autumn colors as New England stages its annual foliage spectacular." Copyright 1993 Ipact, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 Designed and distributed in the USA; printed in Japan. #14653 G-2693. Recycled paper.
back Same front, same text on reverse, different design. Produced by Photografx Worldwide in 2001.

A Snowy Aerial View
front Untitled snowy, aerial view.
back Undivided back, unused. "Mount Holyoke's association with Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and UMass at Amherst, led The New York Times to dub the Pioneer Valley (shown here in a view from Ham Hall), with its 30,000 students and 2,300 faculty members, one of the nation's "Big 10 College Towns." Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075"

Mount Holyoke College
front Untitled aerial view. Extra long card! "Copyright 1907 by W. T. Littig and Co., N. Y."
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 25, 1911 5:30pm in South Hadley. "Mount Holyoke College" Copyright by W. T. Littig & Co. "From the lack of a pen I use a pencil. I surely meant to see you & all the folks at 19 Florence once more before I came back but ___! This is a pretty good view of all the campus; of course it's just dandy to be back again. Remember me to your father and the Co & tell him I think it's fine for us to have the "hospital" contact. Sometime I'll drop in and 'sprise you. B. G. W."

South Campus
front "Mount Holyoke College - South Campus, South Hadley, Mass." View as from the Pavilion, I believe - (left to right) Mead, Rockefeller, Wilder, South Cottage, Gym, Brigham, Safford, Porter, Mary Lyon, Service Building.
back Divided back, postmarked Oct 6, 1915 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published for Gridley & Son. #121477 Made in Germany. "This place surely is great, and I like everything ever so much. Am taking Trig, French, Greek, English, and Mediaeval History. I wish you would write to me and tell me what you are doing. Got a card from Dot yesterday. Suppose you know a lot of new girls, as well as I. Ruth H."

South Campus
front "South Campus Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Shows (left to right) Safford, Porter, and the Gymnasium.
back Divided back, unused. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass., and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass." View as from the Pavilion, I believe - (left to right) Mead, Wilder, Brigham, Safford, Porter, Mary Lyon. Inscription: "Greetings from "Mrs. Chad" "
back Undivided back, stamp box (but no stamp), postmarked Jun 22, 1906 12midnight in South Hadley. Transit mark Jun 23, 1906 5pm in Winnetka, IL. #A668 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card.

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Shows (left to right) Mary Lyon, Brigham, Safford.
back Divided back, postmarked Jun 10, 1923 7am? in Holyoke, MA. C. A. Gridley & Son, #1132 Made in Germany. "Sorry I didn't see you before I left. Hope you have a wonderful summer. Let me hear from you sometime. Sincerely, Ruth Crosby."

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass." Shows (left to right) Gymnasium, Wilder, Mead, Old Rockefeller.
back Divided back, postmarked Oct 2, 1907 5pm in South Hadley, and Oct 3, 1907 8am in Haverhill, Mass. #A3962 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. An Excelsior card. "Address: Mt. Holoke College, So. Hadley, Mass. Dear Aunt Carrie: I am writing just a few lines to tell you how beautiful it is here. The mountains are grand, and the College Campus is beautiful. I have a nice room and a good roommate. The teachers are very pleasant. With love Catharine R."
[In the book!]

South Campus
front "South Campus Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Shows (left to right) Safford, Porter, and the Gymnasium. An "X" is inked on the roof of Safford, and "XX" is inked on the roof of the Gym. Postmark bled through.
back Divided back, postmarked Dec 7, 1934 10am in South Hadley. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass., and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. "Thurs. night Dearest Family, Just a card because I'm very busy on source theme, etc. I thought you would like this card. The one cross indicates Brigham, and two crosses, the gym. It shows a part of the south campus, and the road between the bushes and the gym leads to the music building. I'll send a card of that later. I was glad to get your letters and will try to write a good one Sunday. The report about music for Ch. vacation is favorable. I just love that dictionary. Those dates tasted oh so good and we didn't have any for Thanksgiving. I can't wait till Christmas Lots of love, Eleanor" Oh well, guess Eleanor got confused and thought Safford was Brigham in the picture.
[In the book!]

South Campus and Lake Nonotuck
front "South Campus and Lake Nonotuck, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." View from left to right: Mead, Wilder, Blanchard, Brigham/Safford/Porter, Service Building (with the tall smoke tower), and Mary Lyon Hall. Inscription: "This is a view of part of our campus. Too bad Dartmouth lost to Harvard. Cheer up D. will win next time."
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Nov 21, 1908 7am in South Hadley. #B3027 Published by A. S. Kinney. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "Well! I was surprised to hear that you are in Dartmouth. It is a fine place to be. I have a cousin there Ernest S. Osgood a Freshman. Don't you want to look him up? He is in 23 New Hubbard. I have enjoyed my college life so far very much. Mt Holyoke is a great place. Mother says the Student Teas at Columbia have begun already. Won't you come up to the house sometime at Xmas vacation & tell us about Dartmouth. Sincerely Marian S. Osgood."

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass." View as from the Pavilion, I believe - (left to right) Mead, Wilder, Brigham, Safford, Porter, Mary Lyon. Inscription in pencil, too faded to read.
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Oct 21, 1905? 8:30am?, with a transit mark on top of it, so it is largely illegible. #A668 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "Back Bay Station 7:50 We have been waiting here since 6:35 & still have 40 minutes to wait. Just missed a Providence train by 3 minutes. That's a two hour wait here and 2 in Springfield. We are swearing mad. Left S. at 4:00 will get to A. at 9:30. Nine hours for 83 miles How's that [...]"

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College, So. Hadley, Mass." View is mostly of Wilder and Mead.
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 12, 1936 10:30pm in Holyoke, MA. #3278 Published by A. S. Kinney, So. Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. Inscription is typed! "Hope that you are still on the gain. Circulation still good and messenger Am trying to make some robes with the neck as you showed me but do not get on very fast. Miss Flanders has inquired for you. Remember me to your mother. Love to yourself. Van
Do you think we could make money taking care of stray pets. Have two cats and a dog. A. M. D. wishes to [be] remembered."

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." View as from the Pavilion, I believe - (left to right) Mead, Wilder (Rockefeller behind it), private home, Gymnasium.
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Jan 21, 1912 4:30pm in South Hadley. #94 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. "I am hard at work, in the midst of semester exams I like them just about as much as you used to like them. - three more next week. after that I am off for Conn. for three days. - a rest you know. (?) Lulu! How's the world using you?"

The Campus
front "The Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Another view seemingly from the Pavilion area. "Sunday Nov. 5. Indeed I did recognize my little neighbor. Thank you so much for sending me her cunning little picture. I received some lead pencils (red, white, and blue, with my name printed on them in gold[)] from Leda. Truly a Florida fashion but rather cute. M. B. L."
back Undivided back, postmarked Nov 6, 1905 10am in South Hadley. Transit mark Nov 7, 1905 11am in Binghamton NY.

Campus View
front "South Hadley, Mass. Campus View, Mt. Holyoke College." View of Shattuck and Williston.
back Divided back, postmarked Jul 22, 1917 4:30pm in South Hadley. Published by Glesmann Bros., South Hadley, Mass. #34616 Made in Germany. "The black walnut has gone! Blown down in a terrific shower yesterday. We feel as if somebody had died. What is happening to you? Drop me a line some time. Dr. Clapp is at Woods Hole and they say she is perfectly well again. Love - A. H. T." Address to Mrs. John Kenny. An interesting postscript to this card: in April 1997, another black walnut planted in the same area was severely damaged in a late, wet snowfall, and it was taken down in 1998.
[In the book!]

#25 Snow Shadows
front "Snow Shadows Mt Holyoke College Steries #25"
back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. AZO

Campus Scene
front "Campus Scene, South Hadley, Mass." A nice lake scene, with a bridge. I have no idea where this is on campus, but it sure looks rural.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. C. A. Gridley & Son, #1140, made in Germany.

Campus View
front "South Hadley, Mass. Campus View, Mt. Holyoke College" View of Shattuck and Williston Hall.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Published by Glesmann Bros., South Hadley, Mass. #33859 Made in Germany.

Campus
front "Campus Mt. Holyoke College, near Holyoke, Mass." Not quite sure what the view is; is that Wilder on the left?
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 8, 1912 7:30pm in Holyoke, MA, flag cancel. Made in Germany. "With this I close and get ready for Church. I presume Mr. Cone is at home now. Yours - Anne E. Cone."

Campus from Prospect Hill
front "Campus from Prospect Hill Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." A lovely grove-ish looking photo with Mary Lyon in the distance.
back Undivided back, stamp box, unused AZO.

General View of College from Hill
front "Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass, General View of College from Hill." View left to right: Mead, Rockefeller, Wilder, Gymnasium, Brigham, Safford, Porter, Mary Lyon, from Prospect Hill viewpoint.
back Undivided back, postmarked Apr ??, 1911 5pm in South Hadley. #1764 Scott Photo. Germany. Photo copyright 1906 by Edgar T. Scott. Two inscriptions: "We are having a wonderful time. Just wish you were here with us. The Junior play was great. F. L. B." "We've just come back from a picnic on Prospect. I wish you were here! I'm so sorry you've been feeling miserably. Will write later. Lovingly, K."
[In the book!]

Campus
front "Campus Mt. Holyoke College, near Holyoke, Mass." I'm not sure of the view; I think the building on the left is Williston and we're gazing through the grove toward (far right to left) Brigham, Mead, Safford, and Porter.
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 10, 1914 1:30pm in Holyoke, MA, flag cancel. #262-975 Made in Germany. "I expect to go home next Wednesday. If I visit much longer I'll be so fat I can't walk. I wonder if Mrs. Stevenson has got back yet. Mrs. Tillotson."

Campus
front "Campus, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." View from left to right: (look this up), Student Alumnae Hall, Mead, (old) Rockefeller, Wilder, Brigham, Mary Lyon Hall, from Prospect Hill.
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 26, 1920 7am in South Hadley. Stamp missing. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. An Americhrome card. Printed in the US. "We've had such a lovely lot of snow here that it's fine coasting. Exams begin this week but I'll find some time to be out of doors. I hope that everything in Norwalk is getting along finely. Sincerely yours, Grace."

North Campus
front "North Campus, Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Sep 26, 1907 11:30am in Holyoke. #A665 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. An Excelsior card. "Dear Lucy: I wish you were here at Mt. Holyoke, so I could see you often. It is beautiful. The grounds & buildings are beautiful, but I long for Bates. My address is 20 Lamb St., So. Hadley Falls, Mass. Should like to hear from you. Alice R. Quimby."

Bird's Eye View
front "South Hadley, Mass. Bird's Eye View, Mt. Holyoke College and Lake Nonotuck."
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. #34617 Published by Glesmann Bros., South Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany.

North Campus
front "North Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Oct 29, 1903? 5pm? in South Hadley. #B3032 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. An Excelsior card. Big scrape mark in the middle of the following inscription: "Dear Gladys: I am very glad you asked for postal I shall be glad to send some to you. I will send [...] to Helene too who [...] a chance to [...] remember. I am working hard but [...] it here. The scenery has been grand this fall. Love to your mother and Helene. Lovingly, Caroline G."

Blue Night
front Untitled artwork of a campus scene; I'm not quite sure where.
back Divided back, unused. "Blue Night, 1994 Oil on canvas (Mount Holyoke College, S. Hadley, Massachusetts) Jean Choi" This card was a giveaway at Reunion 1998.

Bird's Eye View
front "South Hadley, Mass. Bird's Eye View, Mt. Holyoke College and Lake Nonotuck." Wilder Hall is labelled.
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Sep 25, 1913 7am in South Hadley. #33860 Published by Glesmann Bros., South Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. "Dear Aunt Lucy - I don't feel like studying, so I am putting it off for a few minutes with the good excuse of writing some cards. I have marked my hall, and the lake below is where we row. Mary Lyon chapel is the tower at the right. I wish you would come down here and let me show it all to you. The tennis courts are in the cleared space at the extreme left below Mead Hall. Have had much fun there today. Lots of love to you & grandma gladys. Mt. H. C. Box 536" The author.
[In the book!]

Aerial View of Mount Holyoke College
front Aerial view of Mount Holyoke College. The road running along the left hand side is Morgan Street; the dorm visible in the front is the Mandelles. The dorm 1837 has not been built yet, which makes this probably a 1950s view.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Aerial view of Mt. Holyoke College in So. Hadley, Mass., with Mt. Tom Range and Connecticut River in background." Published by Springfield News Co., Springfield, Mass., and Plastichrome by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass. #P19100

Mount Holyoke College - North End
front Aerial view of Mount Holyoke College. College Street runs diagonally along the bottom left corner of the card.
back Divided back, unused. "Mount Holyoke Campus - North End/Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" Published by Mount Holyoke College Bookstore and The Albertype Co.

Campus Scene
front "Campus Scene, South Hadley, Mass." A nice lake scene, with a bridge. Similar to this card, but this one has a string of German along the front that the previous card did not have.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. C. A. Gridley & Son, #1140, made in Germany.

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Sep 25, 1908 12midnight in South Hadley. Published by A. S. Kinney. #B3038. Made in Germany. "Dear Pete:- The fog is as bad out here as the smoke was at home. There have been forest fires here, too. I want Mother to stay over Sunday. Lu."

Campus
front "Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 19, 1917 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. "Dear Gampa and Gramma, It's just great up here. I love it so soon, I've met some of the dearest girls. Be careful won't you. I think of you real often. Lots of Love Fiona" A second note in a different pen: "An old card I found in my box you can keep or destroy"

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass." View as from the Pavilion, I believe - (left to right) Mead, Wilder, Brigham, Safford, Porter, Mary Lyon.
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Jun 1, 1907 12midnight in South Hadley. Transit mark Jun 2, 1907 6am in Binghamton NY. #A668 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "Back here again having a glorious time and happy in the thought that I shall be here all next year. M. B. L."

Mount Holyoke College
front Untitled aerial view. Extra long card! "Copyright 1907 by W. T. Littig and Co., N. Y." Prospect Hill is prominently labelled, but looking closely reveals the buildings are also labelled with numbers.
back Divided back, postmarked Oct 10, 1918 7am in South Hadley; transit mark Oct 12, 1911 3:30pm in Des Moines IA. "Mount Holyoke College" Copyright by W. T. Littig & Co. "1. Pearsons (Dorm) 2. Village Library 3. Observatory 4. Skinner Hall (Recitation) 5. Rockefeller (Dorm) 6. Meade [sic] 7. Wilder (Dorm) 8. Brigham 9. Gym 10. Safford (Dorm) 11. Porter (Dorm) 12. Williston (burned) Lab & Museum 13. Shattuck (Lab) 14. Art building 15. Library 16. Mary Lyon Hall (Offices & Chapel) beyond 4 is new building Student Alumnae Hall[,] between 6 &7 is Music Hall. Lots of love, as ever, Ruth. From R. Loud Box 387, Mt. Holyoke College."

South Campus
front "South Campus, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." View as from the Pavilion, I believe - (left to right) Mead, Wilder (Rockefeller behind it), private home, Gymnasium, Service building. Mary Lyon Hall tower is penned in at the far right.
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Jan 10, 1915 5pm in South Hadley. #94 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. "Belle Godshalk a '08 girl, as been studying music in Europe ever since graduation, and now is back in this country singing in grand opera. Friday night she gave a concert at college & Mary J. and I "strained a point" and went. We've had such a wonderfully good time, visiting our friends among the teachers etc I thought of you so many times and the visit you made me at college. Love to all Marion."

View on Campus
front "View on Campus Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Pasted down in a photo album, but probably looks like this.

Aerial View circa 1959
front Untitled aerial view of campus.
back "Perspective / Memory / Hope / It is the Past's supreme italic / Make this present mean - (Emily D.) Happy Birthday / MHC c. '59" Actually, I think the photo predates 1956, since Buckland is not visible. This is a custom postcard created by Sue Bradley Cabot and Dana Feldshuh Whyte, co-presidents of the class of 1960, for mailing birthday greetings to their classmates.

Aerial View of Mount Holyoke College
front Aerial view of Mount Holyoke College. The road running along the left hand side is Morgan Street; the dorm visible in the front is the Mandelles. The dorm 1837 has not been built yet; it was built in 1962.
back Divided back, pstmarked Mar 27, 1958 7am in Westfield, Mass. "Aerial view of Mt. Holyoke College in So. Hadley, Mass., with Mt. Tom Range and Connecticut River in background." Published by Springfield News Co., Springfield, Mass., and Plastichrome by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass. #P19100 "Wed. 6:35 P.M. Hi King. Am on my way downtown to go to the movies. Got a "special" to go out. Plan on seeing "Peyton Place" - heard it was very good. Will answer your nasty letter later. Love u Gail S.A.G."

Campus from Prospect Hill
front A real photo view. Inscription: "Campus from Prospect Hill."
back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "A view of the campus from Prospect Hill." Stamp box design dates this between 1904 and 1918.

Campus from Prospect Hill
front A real photo view of Lower Lake from Prospect Hill.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Stamp box design dates this between 1904 and 1918.

Lower Lake & Prospect
front A real photo view of Lower Lake and Prospect Hill. Inscription: "Lower Lake & Prospect."
back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed "Lower Lake & Prospect." Stamp box design dates this between 1904 and 1918.

Lower Lake & Prospect
front A real photo view of Lower Lake and Prospect Hill. Inscription: "Prospect at the right."
back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed "Prospect at the right." Stamp box design dates this between 1904 and 1918.