Single Photos, 1900-1920

History

These photos weren't part of an album, and they weren't postcards, but just photos that were found by themselves. If they were found as a group, it is noted here.

The Images

All photos are available with both front and back scans, if there is something on the back, and comments about what is written on the front or back are included below.

Freshman Volley Ball Team, 1920

front Untitled photo of volleyball players on Skinner Green near Blanchard; Brigham, Safford visible in background.

back Dated Nov 17, 1920. "Freshman Volley Ball Team At Mount Holyoke College. From left to right. Margaret E. Glover, Mount Airy, Pa.; Minnie C. Schroll, West Orange, N. J.; Eleanor S. Roll, South Orange, N. J.; Emily E. Hannum, Easthampton, Mass.; Anna K. Ball, South Orange, N. J.; Cara Cook, Worcester, Mass.; Elisabeth Williams, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Agnes D. Babcock, North Thetford, Vt.; H. Louise Porter, Adrian, Mich.; Esperance Freeman, Lampang, Siam." Stamped: "Return to Edith S. Palmer, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."

Deep Knee Bends

front Untitled photo of 34 women doing deep knee bends in a field. Some look too old to be students.

back Stamped: "From Thomas C. Hawks, 20 Lafayette St. Springfield, Mass." and "Department of Physical Education Mount Holyoke College". Inscription: "To be returned to: Gertrude Bruyn, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."

Keep the Endowment Fund on the Jump!

front A photo of a group of seniors in cap and gown on the steps to Skinner Hall, with jump ropes in hand. A speaker or song leader has her back to us, with a sign on her back that says "Keep the Endowment Fund on the Jump!" Envelope for the photo labelled "M. Platts", so this photo is circa 1920.

Three photos of Nina Babcock 1920

photo #1 Nina is on the left, holding the baton. She was her class' song leader. It appears they are standing outside Wilder Hall.

photo #2 Her son Douglas thinks that Nina is the woman bending down petting the dog

photo #3 Also from Nina's photo album, though her son Douglas does not know if she is one of the women in this photo

Four Snapshots

I bought these four together at a flea market. I am not sure if they are Mount Holyoke photos, but they sure look like it to me!

photo #1 Four women in caps and gowns outside Pearsons Hall

photo #2 Two women in caps and gowns outside Pearsons Hall

photo #3 A man standing near what looks like Skinner Green - and that sure looks like Mary Lyon Hall behind him

photo #4 A woman sitting on a porch eating an apple; looks like it could be one of the fire escapes from one of the old dorms, but I've been unable to figure out which one.

Porter Hall, circa 1914

front A group of approximately 70 students seated outside Porter Hall with four older woman in the back and center (I believe the one on the left is Cornelia Clapp). I would guess these are all the residents of Porter Hall for a particular year, and since I found this in a 1914 classbook, I would further guess that it is approximately 1914 when this photo was taken.

Group photos, circa 1910

photo #1 These three photos were found in a 1910 Llamarada owned by Nancy Curtis Genung 1910. Perhaps she is one of the ladies in this photo.

photo #2 Also unidentified photo found in the yearbook.

photo #3 Also unidentified photo found in the yearbook. It looks like it is a building seen in Silver Bay photos in the background.

The Tale of the Griffin

photo #1 These two photos were found in a 1910 Llamarada owned by Nancy Curtis Genung 1910. It is clear from the yearbook that these are cast photos of "The Tale of the Griffin: A Comic Opera" presented by the Class of 1909 in the Gymnasium, April 14 and October 21, 1908.

photo #2 I think they chose the Gymnasium building as the backdrop.

Rose of Plymouth Town

photo #1 These five photos were found in a 1910 Llamarada owned by Nancy Curtis Genung 1910. This photo appears on page 124 of the 1910 Llamarada; it is a photo of a scene from "Rose of Plymouth Town" presented by the Class of 1910 in the Gymnasium, April 21, 1908. From left to right: Mabel Briggs, unknown, Ruth Furber, unknown, Helen Parsons, Ottilie Turnbull.

photo #2 Also appears on page 124 of the 1910 Llamarada. The MHC Archives has a duplicate of this photo, and the women are identified, left to right, as Ruth Furber, Grace Massonneau, Mary Preston, Elma Logie, Helen Parsons, Ruth Alvord, Ottilie Turnbull, Elizabeth Marshall, Althea Beal, Harriet Thomson, Katherine Abbey, Grace Cooley, and Mabel Briggs.

photo #3 Another scene from the play. Left to right: Helen Parsons, unknown, unknown, Mabel Briggs.

photo #4 Another scene from the play. Left to right: Ottilie Turnbull, Helen Parsons.

photo #5 Two cast members from the play. Left to right: Helen Parsons, Ottilie Turnbull.

Class of 1911

front A photo of the class of 1911 in front of the library. Unfortunately, this photo is larger than my scanner, and is cropped in all directions.

Miss Ranney

front Studio portrait by Thomas C. Hawks, South Hadley Center. Inscription on back: "To be returned to Mrs. C. A. Ranney So. Hadley Mass."

South Hadley Home Science Hall, 1912

front Inscribed on the back: "South Hadley material (May 12 1933 found) Home Science Hall"

Negatives in a 1904 Viewbook

front One of four negatives found inside a 1904 viewbook of Mount Holyoke. A lake view; perhaps MHC?

front Three women in cap and gown outside one of the dorms; I think it's Wilder.

front A dirt path; perhaps around the lake or up through Goodnow Park.

front Three women in cap and gown.

Four photos from a 1907 yearbook

front These four photos were found stuffed inside a 1907 yearbook that was signed by Ada A. M. Foster. This first photo shows the juniors spinning tops outside what I believe is Williston Hall.

front Women in caps and gowns; the back of the photo is signed by Ada A. M. Foster.

front Women marching past Rockefeller Hall and singing

front A photo from one of the dramatic productions.

Tennis Courts

front Four women playing tennis on the court near the Music Building. Prospect Hill in the background. Inscription on the back: "Edith Calef 07 Mrs Ackerton"

Marie Wolcott Wells 1900

front A woman in cap and gown. Inscription on the back: "Marie Wolcott W[...] Mount Holyoke 1900 / 27 Cedar St Taunton"

Mount Holyoke at Silver Bay circa 1905

front A large mounted photograph from Silver Bay from about 1905. All of the students are lined up and organized by college. Smith, Vassar, Bryn Mawr, Cornell, Mount Holyoke, Bradford, Wheaton, Baltimore, Syracuse, Wellesley, Boston University, Bates, Brown, Radcliffe and several other college banners and pennants are displayed in the photo.

1912 Pageant

front A photo of a woman and two girls in herald costumes. An inscription of "me" appears below the leftmost figure. Inscription on the back: "1912 Pageant - Mount Holyoke College's 75 Years / Faith Stacy, 9 Hilda Davis '14 Lauren Boynton, 12 / shifts were light blue / capes - rose / gold at neck, & on crown / Headed German Dept. / On Pageant Field" Faith Stacy, a South Hadley resident, was later in the class of 1926 at Mount Holyoke. Her pageant costume is now in my collection, thanks to her daughter Philippa Smith Brown.

Mary Lyon

front A photo of a painting of Mary Lyon done by L. R. Jewett in April 1906. I believe MHC owns this painting.

Women's Missionary Society, circa 1911

front A photo of one men and eleven women on the porch steps of home. A wide border has been cropped from the photo due to damage. Inscription in the border above the photo: "Womens Missionary Society - about 1911. Residence of Mrs. Wm. I. Barry" Inscription in the border below the photo: "Mrs. Catharine Wright. Mrs. Wm. I. Barry Sarah E. Demarest. Caroline Pudney. Mrs. W. W. Scott. Mrs J. S. Biddell, Mrs. E. G. Greene. / Martha E. Steele. Carolyn A. Smith Mrs. Wm. A. Dixon / Dr. and Mrs. James Dallas Steele"

Leaving Chapel, 1908

front "070347 Leaving Chapel, Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Copyright 1908 by Detroit Publishing Company. Marked by Culver Pictures of New York City on the back.

Josephine Budd 1918

front A print of the photo that Josephine Budd has in the 1918 Llamarada. This was found tucked in a copy of the 1918 class book.

Catherine Blakeslee 1918

front A print of the photo that Catherine Blakeslee has in the 1918 Llamarada. This was found tucked in a copy of the 1918 class book.

Alice Weeks 1918

front A print of the photo that Alice Weeks has in the 1918 Llamarada. This was found tucked in a copy of the 1918 class book.

Pearl Whitcomb 1907

photo #1 These photos were part of a larger album of Maine vacation photos. They aren't dated, but there's a postcard in the album postmarked 1914, so I'm guessing these were taken after she left Mount Holyoke. Pearl Whitcomb was in six of the photos. This one was my favorite.

photo #2 She appeared to be a good sailor. Maybe with her grandmother?

photo #3 This didn't look like Pearl's face, but she's wearing Pearl's skirt, so I do think it is her. She's just making a funny face.

photo #4 Same remark as #3.

photo #5 Pearl is on the far left.

photo #6 Appears to be a print from the same negative as #2, but in better condition.

Two snapshots

photo #1 These photos were part of a larger album of New England photographs. They aren't dated, but they probably date around 1905. The first is a photo of Brigham Hall and Mary Lyon Hall.

photo #2 This is Wilder Hall.

Dorm Photo, circa 1920

front A photo outside Mead Hall. Found in a 1920 yearbook.

Class Presidents 1902

front Portrait of four students. Inscription on the back: "Class Presidents Class of 1902 Mount Holyoke" Frances Perkins is on the far left, and Alice Little is on the far right.

Class of 1918 Field Hockey team

front Unidentified photo and photographer, but identical to the photo in the 1917 Llamarada of the class of 1918's field hockey team.

Dorm Room, circa 1919

front Unlabeled photograph of two students in a dorm room. Found laid inside a 1919 Mount Holyoke College yearbook. Appears to be one of the four corner rooms in Porter, probably room #67 (now numbered 412).

Mary Sandford Coombs 1909

front Graduation portrait in a folder. Inscription on the reverse, probably to Jane Olcott 1909: "To the friend who has never gone back on me or played me false, with much love from Mary Sandford Coombs Mt. Holyoke 1909."

Eleanor Ellsworth Parsons 1902

front Graduation portrait by Sheldon. Inscription on the reverse: "Eleanor Ellsworth Parsons, Mt. Holyoke College, 1902."

Faculty or Staff, circa 1905

front Photo of a group of men and women (plus two children) bearing a pennant with a "96" on it, taken on the steps of the 1904 library. In an envelope from A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, addressed to Miss Nell H. Swift. Postmarked Jul 10, 1905 5pm in South Hadley.

Holyoke Daisy Chain

front Photo of the seniors processing with the laurel chain in front of Wilder Hall. Mead Hall visible in the background. Inscription: "Holyoke Daisy Chain" - I suspect the inscriber was thinking of Vassar College, which processes with a daisy chain, not a laurel chain.

The Arch

front Photo of the old stone arch. Inscription on the back: "The Arch - So Hadley"

Lisette Miller 1919

front Graduation portrait in a folder. Photographed by Allison Spec, Sheldon Studio, Northampton, Mass. Inscription inside: "With love from Lisette Miller"

Lucy May Stoughton 1907

front Formal portrait. Photographed by Chase Studio, 24 & 26 Federal St, Greenfield, Mass. Inscription on the back: "Lucy M. Stoughton M.H.S. '02"

Martha Weeden 1913

front Formal portrait. Photographed by The Shorey Studio, Lynn, Mass. Inscription on the back: "Martha B. Weeden L.C.H.S. '09"

Women Health Officers, 1918

front "[Wor]thington Pump and Machinery Corporation/ Deane Works/ Holyoke, Mass." "Mt. Holyoke College Special Summer Class Industrial Women Helath Officers July 8, 1918." Photo stamped by the Culver Service (660 First Avenue, New York 16, NY) on the back.

Faith Sanborn 1900

front A woman in cap and gown. Photographed by Notman Photographic Company, Boston. Inscription on the back: "Faith Sanborn Mount Holyoke 1900"

Geology Class, circa 1900

front "Geology class underway at Mount Holyoke College, circa 1900. Not the least of the budding female scientist's problems was her clothing, which did not lend itself to the freedom of movement necessary for participation in field classes." Photo by NYT Pictures and The Smithsonian Institution.

Senior Class, circa 1901

front Senior class sitting outside Mary Lyon Chapel. Gift from Susan Greenleaf Anderson. Thanks, Sue!

Senior Class, circa 1903

front Senior class sitting outside Mary Lyon Chapel. Gift from Michael Myers. Thanks, Michael!

1912 Pageant

front Parade gathering on Skinner Green, near Blanchard Hall and Wilder Hall. Not labeled, but can be identified by costume as the 75th anniversary pageant held in 1912.

Mary Catherine Ashton 1902

front Studio portrait by Bosworth & Murphy, Springfield, Mass. Inscription on the reverse: "Mary C. Ashton Mt. Holyoke '02 / 74 N. 4th St. Easton, Pa."

Missionaries in China, c. 1900

front A portrait of Chinese women (several with bound feet) and some white missionaries behind them. Inscriptions on the reverse identify the woman in the back row as (left to right) Mrs. Peet, Gracey, Mrs. Marsh, Miss Hartwell, and Lillian and Madge. The woman in the middle row with the fan in the center is Mrs. Alwk. [?] The one in the middle row far left is Dr. Han King Eng. The front row women are identified as (left to right) wife of magistrate, wife of prefect, daughter, wife of magistrate.

Mary Louise Shaw 1905

front Studio portrait by Bosworth & Murphy, Springfield, Mass. Inscription on the reverse: "M. Louise Shaw M.A. '00" This was her high school portrait, and M.A. is Monson Academy.

Esther Louise Miles 1918

front Studio portrait by The Gainsborough Studios, Boston, Mass. There is no identification on the photograph, but is is the portrait used in the 1918 Llamarada (yearbook) Esther Louise Miles.

Esther Louise Miles 1918

front Studio portrait by Byrd Studio, Cambridge, Mass. There is no identification on the photograph, but comparing it to the previous photo, it is obviously Esther Louise Miles 1918.

Class of 1912?

front This photo was found laid inside a 1912 Llamarada, but if this is a photo of Mount Holyoke, it's a view that is not familiar to me. I do not recognize that door or the windows.

Natalie Reid Jones 1907

front Studio portrait torn away from its cardboard mount. Inscription on the reverse: "Natalie R. Jones upon graduation from Mt. Holyoke 1907"

Esther Bliss Taintor x1917

front A studio portrait by Schillare of Northampton [?]. Inscription on the reverse: "Esther Taintor Lloyd"

Ellen Elsie Pierce 1924

front A studio portrait by Chase of Greenfield. Inscription on the reverse: "Ellen Elsie Pierce. Eighteen months old."

The Noyes Sisters, circa 1907-1908

front Studio portrait. Inscription on the reverse: "Alice A. Noyes"

front Studio portrait. Inscription on the reverse: "Mary Noyes"

front In choir robe outside Mead Hall. Inscription on the reverse: "Mary"

front In graduation cab and gown outside Mead Hall. Inscription on the reverse: "Mary Noyes"

front In coat, hat and muff outside a shuttered door. Inscription on the reverse: "Mary Noyes 100 Maple St."

Four photos, 1906

front These four photos were purchased together. May pole from the May Day pageant.

front Scene from "Pride and Prejudice" performed by the class of 1908 on May 15, 1906

front May pole from the May Day pageant.

front People in costume on an outdoor staircase. The woman in the front row between the two women holding hats is identified by her great grandchild as Helen Chapman Stetson 1906.

Five photos, related to Helen Stetson 1906

front These five photos were purchased together, from the same dealer as the previous four. Studio portrait of a child by Reed and Preble, Brunswick, Me. Inscription on the reverse: Helen A. Stetson Born Sept. 6, 1884, Terre Haute, Ind. 1018 So. 2d St. / Taken in a dress that her great grandmother made, and wore by Grandma and Mamma. Oct. 28, 1885. 1 y. 1 m. 22 d. 30 lbs."

front Studio portrait of a baby by Z. B. Osgood, Damariscotta, Me. Inscription under the photo: "Rufie Feb, 10-1887 Born Aug 10, 1886."

front Studio portrait of four children by Davis, Damariscotta, Me. Inscription on the reverse: "Sept. 1894. Helen 10 yrs. - Rufus 8 yrs Grace 3 yrs Mary (Blossom) 9 weeks old."

front Women in costume. I believe this is the cast of "The Rivals," a play performed at Mount Holyoke in 1904.

front Glee club queued on the College Street side of the Chapel, with the 1904 library visible in the rear.

College St, before 1913

front Shady street with several buildings visible. Inscription on the reverse: "College St. from Purington's old house / Also see old Byron Smith house on left moved for SAH / Devine house with Blacksmith Shop on right" The Byron Smith house was moved in 1912-1913 to make way for the Student Alumnae Hall construction (now known as Mary Woolley Hall).

Clara Benton Dana 1859

front Studio portrait by Lovell of Amherst. Inscription on the reverse: "Aunt Clara Adams / Died Nov. 1903- / Deacon Adams second wife"

Berta Rogers 1930

front Studio portrait. This photo came from a single collection of Deering High School of Portland, Maine graduation pictures dated from the late 1920s into the early 1930s. The inscription on the reverse revealed her name, and Berta Rogers 1930's home town was listed in the college directory as Portland, Maine.

back "Dear Hazel: We've known each other quite a while, haven't we? I certainly have enjoyed being your friend, Hazel, and wish that I might see more of you. I hope you'll write to me next year. Lovingly, Berta Rogers"

Marjorie Smith 1918

front Studio portrait by Bosworth of Springfield. Inscription: "Marjorie Smith Mount Holyoke College 1918"

May Day 1906

front Students in costume outdoors. Inscription: "May-day Mount Holyoke, 1906"

Gratia Prouty 1913

front Studio portrait in a folder. Inscription on the reverse: "Mother & Lottie June 1912 Gratia L. Prouty Graduate of Mt. Holyoke College"

Class of 1880 at Reunion, 1900

front Group of eleven women (plus two in the background) in front of Brigham Hall, with Safford Hall visible in the background. Inscription on the reverse: "Mt. Holyoke Class of '80. Reunion. June 1900."

Burnett Household, 1900

front Family in front of a home. Inscription on the reverse: "John L. Burnetts Residence / Left to Right Edna - Nera - Mother - Father - Lela / Juan - Erry - Emil - Jack our dog" Photo by A. W. Howes & Co., Turner Falls, Mass. The family lived in South Hadley, but I don't know the address of this house. This photo was taken around 1890; Erry was born in 1880, and "Father" (John L. Burnett) died in 1896.

front Family in front of the same home. Appears to be "Mother" (Janette Clapp Potwin Burnett) and three of her children (Edna on far right?). Inscription on the reverse: "Taken July, 1900." Photo by A. W. & G. E. Howes, Ashfield, Mass. Porch structure has changed since the previous photograph.

Dorothy Foster

front Studio portrait by E. G. Merrill of Salem, Mass. Inscription on the reverse: "Dorothy Foster S. H. S. 1900 / Bryn Mawr / Later - Professor of English Literature at Mt. Holyoke College"

Elizabeth Nye 1912

front Studio portrait by Purdy of Boston. Inscription on the front: "Elizabeth Frances Nye - Sagamore, Mass." Inscription on the reverse: "'Bessie' Nye Died 1930 Arthritis 59 yrs old / Elizabeth Frances Nye m (Francis Bacon) daughter of Edith Perkins Nye & Walter E. R. Nye of Sagamore / Ida Nye / Bessie Nye / Roswell Nye"