May Fete

From the Spring 1998 issue of the Alumnae Quarterly:

May Fete was officially sanctioned as a College event at the time of President Woolley's 1901 inauguration. Each year thereafter the scenes and costuming depicting specific themes became more and more elaborate. Huge audiences observed casts of hundreds acting in woodland pantomines on Pageant Field (the area behind today's amphitheater).

Each pageant's final scene included the coronation of the May Queen - "the fairest" senior selected by the student body. At one time tradition dictated that the Queen be a brunette in odd years and a blonde in even. A 1947 rule stipulated that she stand at least five feet five inches tall. Each Queen of the May was, however, always the one who received the most votes, and the six runners-up comprised her court. Her identity remained a well-guarded secret until the moment after the flower-laden young women were presented to the onlookers.

The last full fete was held in 1949, but May Queens continued to be crowned at Mount Holyoke until 1967 when the tradition ended. Family Weekend, currently an annual campus event, is a direct descendant of the May festivities.

May Fetes were also popular at other colleges, and I have a few items from other campus celebrations of May as well.

P9089 Dwight Art Memorial

front A real photo card. "P9089 Dwight Art Memorial Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, So. Hadley, Mass." "Photo Underwood and Underwood, NY"

back Divided back, postmarked on May 19, 1917 10am in South Hadley. "We are having a lovely May Day The place is beautiful with fruit trees and pretty girls in bright sweaters. We have the May Pole dance this afternoon. Lora"

May Queen

front Isn't she beautiful? This stereoview is mounted on gray cardboard; I cropped the cardboard backing on this scan. You can see the cardboard backing if you look at the scan of the reverse side.

back "Frances Ackland - May Queen - Mt. Holyoke College May 14, 1927 S. A. Ralph" The dealer that I bought this from said that S. A. Ralph was a judge from Springfield whose daughter was an MHC student; I'll have to look into that!

May Day Pageant

front Gotta love those hats! This stereoview is mounted on gray cardboard; I cropped the cardboard backing on this scan. You can see the cardboard backing if you look at the scan of the reverse side.

back "May Day Pageant - Mt. Holyoke College May 14, 1927 S. A. Ralph"

Mary Lyon Hall and Administration Building

front "Mary Lyon Hall and Administration Building, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."

back Divided back, postmarked May 11, 1919 4:30pm in South Hadley. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. An Americhrome card. Printed in the US. "May 11, 1919 Am very busy writing a long paper for English to-morrow, and have a Chem quiz Tuesday. But am sending this to let you know I am all right. Shakespeare Romeo and Juilet [sic] is the play which is to be given on May Day. Seats are $.50, $.75 and $1.00. I guess the $.50 seats will be all right. Florence says her sister is coming up with five other alumni. [sic] Janice, Florence's friend is coming and we are all going to get seats together, Bea and Esther included. Only a few more days and you will be here. Love to all, Arlene."

Ye Pastymes of ye Glad May Daye

front"Ye Pastymes of ye Glad May Daye" Unused.

back Divided back, stamp box. Published for the benefit of the endowment fund of the Dwight Art Building. Unused.

May Day Dance 1909 Vassar College

front "May Day Dance 1909 Vassar College" They seem to be doing some kind of dance with large hula hoops with a cross in them. Go figure!

back Divided back, unused.

1909 May Day Dance Vassar College

front "1909 May Day Dance Vassar College" More of that dance with the large hula hoops with a cross in them.

back Divided back, unused.

Rain Dance - May Fete 1920

front "Rain Dance - May Fete 1920" I don't know what college this is - or even if it is a college, but what a lovely image, with the sun shining on all their hats! I can imagine that the building in the back of them is Porter and that they are dancing in the Grove.

back Undivided back, stamp box, unused.

Class of 1915, Wellesley College

front Untitled image of students in white, sitting in pairs to spell "1915" on a hillside. A building in scaffolding is near them.

back Divided back, postmarked May 20, 1915 in Wellesley. "Can your recognize your only daugher? I am in the tail (front) of the nine. Tell Hallie She'd find a friend of hers hear! [sic] This was on May Day morning, after Chapel. Love, Olive"

Vassar May Pole, 1908, Vassar College

front "Vassar May Pole 1908" Sixteen students holding wide ribbons on a May pole.

back Divided back, stamp box, unused.

Class of 1909, Wellesley College

front Untitled image of students in regular clothing, sitting single file to spell "1909" on a hillside. A building, and some observers, are behind them. Back is labelled: "1909 - Forming Senior Numerals May Day"

May Queen 1921, Lasell Seminary

front "May Queen, Lasell Seminary, 1921. Auburndale, Mass."

back Divided back, unused.

May Fete 1922, Lasell Seminary

front "May Fete, 1922 Lasell Seminary, Auburndale, Mass."

back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Published for Lasell by Herbert E. Glasier & Co.