Porter Hall

[Porter Hall]

History

After the Seminary Building burned to the ground in 1896, four dormitories were built in 1897 to house the students that were formerly housed in the Seminary Building. Porter Hall was one of them. It was named for Deacon Porter, College trustee from 1836-1877. He was the Board of Trustees' building expert and Mary Lyon's chief accounting adviser.

The Porter Birch is often visible in these postcards. It was a landmark for at least 40 years, as it was mentioned by name in 1937 in a centennial feature about the College in the local paper.

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.

Porter
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College" Rare view of the inside of the building! Inscription: "I think this is one of the nicest collages [sic] yet! Where we stopped for lunch, The Bookshop Inn, (because it is half resteraunt [sic] and half bookshop) I got some cute writing paper which I will send to you. P. S. Don't get to[o] tan! P.S.S. When do you have to be out of 39 Lynwood or don't you think you will. I hope Not!!!!!!!"
back Divided back, postmarked Jul 3, 1946 11:30am in Ashburnham Mass. Published by "The City" Post Cards from photographs made by The Maynard Workshop, Waban, Mass. "7/2/46 = Tuesday Dear Barb, This is a picture of the girls dormatories [sic] at Holyoke. Yesterday we saw Conn. Collage [sic] and today Smith and Mt. Holyoke We are spending the night in Mass. Hope you are having lots of fun at the lake. Say hello to everybody. How does Sambo like it? Did you get a rubber raft? Will get in Canada Sat. When you get home please say hello to Spotty because he is lonesome. Love Nitsi P.S. Have you met any cute boys? or did you swim across the lake to see them?"

Porter Hall
front "Mt. Holyoke College PORTER HALL So Hadley, Mass" Inscription: "Oct. 15, 1902 Barrel of apples arrived on Friday of last week all right. Can't you and Jennie come down for a trolley ride into the "notch" one of these pleasant days? From Sunderland it is not far, or from North Amherst & this one is not far - Come if you can - Let me know a day or so before, so I shall surely be at home - I wish very much that you would - Glorious weather - yesterday was our "Mountain Day" Cornelia -"
back Private Mailing Card, undivided back. Postmarked Oct 16, 1902 7am in South Hadley. Transit mark Oct 16, 1902, 12 midnight in Montague, Mass. One of the earliest postcards in my collection!
[In the book!]

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Sept 22, 19?0 9am in Radnor, PA. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass, and The Albertype Co, Brooklyn, NY. "PS This is picture of her dorm. Thurs. Sept. 21st Dear "Aboo": - We said goodbye to Sylvia a little while ago. Brought her to Holyoke this A. M. after having stayed in Springfield last night. Also another freshman from Cynwyd, PA. (nearby). Partially settled her in her room - a suite of two but her roommate not there yet. She will love it all I'm sure and we think she made a fine choice. Love Mildred."

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, So. Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Mar 12, 1914 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. #F 3275. "Dear Aunt Addie - I leave here a week from today for home for two weeks. I am going right through to Portland the night college closes, so won't be stopping in Boston. I am pretty tired and will be glad of a vacation. Lovingly Miriam"

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked in South Hadley on an indecipherable date. Published for Gridley & Son, No 121467. Made in Germany. "I hope that you are enjoying Tufts as much as I am Mt. Holyoke this year. Studying is awfully hard this year but I like all my work and that counts a great deal. This is my dormitory. Sincerely Helen Stearns"
[In the book!]

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Numbered 3732 in lower right corner.
back Divided back, unused, stamp box. Published by C. A Gridley & Son. #A 1268. Made in Germany.

Porter Hall
front "Mt. Holyoke College Porter Hall South Hadley, Mass." Inscription: "The arrow points to Jo's room. and if you were to look in at that window now you could see me - 127 lbs - sitting at my desk in front of it. In front of this hall is Mary Lyon's tomb. and in fact the scenery all around is about the prettiest on the whole campus. I like our house very much & Florence also lives here. Hope you all can see it sometime"
back Undivided back, stamp box, unused. A Private Mailing Card.

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, So. Hadley, Mass."
back Undivided back, stamp box, unused.

Porter Hall
front Untitled picture of Porter.
back Divided back, postally unused, but inscribed. "Porter Hall Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" Published by Mount Holyoke College Bookstore, South Hadley, Mass. and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. "I live on the reverse side of the reverse side. The view is not distracting nor inspiring, but I have a neat little fire escape for midnite walks in the moonlite. PORTER's really best. Brigham's living room is crummy and Pearson's is too far from everything. You have lost a Jo-Anne and gained a Jone!"
[In the book!]

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Window on the third floor over the entrance is marked with an X. Inscription: "Dear Grandma,- This is the hall I shall live in next year. I have marked the room with an X. It is cold and windy here to-day. H. G. Mank"
back Undivided back, postmarked May 31, 1907 10am in South Hadley.

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 21, 1908 in South Hadley. Transit mark Jan 22, 1908 7:15am in Lawrence, Mass. #A4851 Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. Addressed to Edith W. Mank.

P9092 Porter Hall
front "P9092 Porter Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, So. Hadley, Mass." Photo by Underwood & Underwood, NY.
back Undivided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "Another of the College houses. They are all three or four stories high so the poor girls on the top floor get plenty of exercise. There are seven of these big campus houses, beside the gym, chapel, library, art building, music building and chemistry & science building scattered over the campus."
[In the book!]

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." You get a much better sense of the Grove because this photo is taken from farther away than the others.
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 25, 1919 12:30pm in South Hadley. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. An Americhrome card. Printed in the United States. "Here is a representation of the house I live in. My room is 3rd floor front, the corner room on the left of the picture. No snow at all here. Hope you will soon be better. We are having our semester examinations. Best wishes, - Freda."

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, unused. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY.

3384 Porter Hall Gymnasium and Wilder Hall
front "Porter Hall Gymnasium and Wilder Hall, So. Hadley, Mass." #3384 Published by C. A. Gridley & Son
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 27, 1907 5pm in South Hadley. N. E. Paper & Stationery Co. Mfrs., Ayer, Mass. "The girls are very fortunate in their boarding place. Are very much in love with the teachers they have met. I go to Springfield this P. M. will stay until Tuesday. All well. Yours with love. H. M. L. 8.27-07"

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, stamp box, #E3223 Published by The Springfield News Company, Springfield, Mass. A Newvochrome card. Printed in Germany.

2281 Porter Hall
front A beautiful real photo. "2281 Porter Hall So. Hadley Mass."
back Divided back, unused.

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 28, 1910 10am in South Hadley. #61228 Published by Glesmann Bros., South Hadley, Mass. Printed in Germany. "Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley Mass. "I was so sorry not to see you before I went away, but you can imagine how busy I was. If you have time write to me, I shall be delighted to hear. Yours Eugenia. Box 526."

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 28, 1910 7am in South Hadley. #B6083 Published by A. S. Kinney, So. Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "Jan 27, 1910. Dear sister One exam is over. Was very good. Yesterday went to Holyoke; & to a tea at Miss Young's room (astronomy teacher) and in evening she died. This afternoon cleaned my room & fixed little things. Tomorrow will begin studying for German which comes Sat A. M. I s'pose you have heard about the new comet. Seen further west and nearer the horizon than Venus. I saw a little of the tail last night. Hope it will be clear so I can see it all soon. Lots of love to all - Louise. Comet sets by 6:45 P. M." I like how Louise started to write "1909" in the date, and corrected herself; I also love the mention of Halley's comet!
[In the book!]

Two Chairs, Piano and a Lamp
front Untitled artwork of the Porter Hall lounge
back Divided back, unused. "Two Chairs, Piano and a Lamp, 1994 Oil on canvas (Porter Hall Lounge, Mount Holyoke College, S. Hadley, Massachusetts) Jean Choi" This card was a giveaway at Reunion 1998.

Porter Hall
front Untitled view of Porter Hall
back Divided back, postmarked Feb 17, 1941 5:30pm in South Hadley. "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. "Feb. 17th Dear Mother, - I am visiting my sister for a few days here on my way to Orthopsychiatric Convention in New York City Feb 20-22nd. I'm enjoying renewing my college expieriences - 11 years has changed things somewhat but there are still quite a few people here I know. I hope I can show this section of the country to Aaron soon - he will like it I'm sure. He's keeping bachelors quarters at present but will get along fine I know. Love, Emily PS. This is the hall my sister lives in. I lived in it too my Freshman year."
[In the book!]

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Feb 17, 1910 7am in South Hadley. #B6083 Published by A. S. Kinney, So. Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "Wilma lived here during her junior year. Love H. H. M. Feb 16, 1910"

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall. Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Undivided back, unused. AZO

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College." I also own the negative to this image.
back Rough draft of a divided back and stamp box.

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." The top right corner room is circled and labelled "A fine room." Inscription: "Dear Myron, I've marked Helen's room for next year. We are having wet weather - otherwise a good time. Yrs, M. P. M."
back Undivided back, postmarked May 28, 1907 10am in South Hadley, and May 28, 1907 2:30pm in New Haven, CT.

Porter Hall
front "Porter Hall, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Inscription: "My room is on the back as not visible but is directly back of the cross." Note cross on the second floor, to the right of the entrance.
back Divided back, postmarked Jan 1910 in South Hadley. #61228 Published by Glesmann Bros., South Hadley, Mass. Printed in Germany. "Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley Mass. "Dear Sis :- This is just to say that I got here safely only 14 hrs late. We were ten hrs. late getting to Albany and got to Springfield about eight A. M. when we should have been there about 5:50 the previous evening. No special reason I know of for the delay. Had lots of fun coming east met several people I knew & also some I didn't but will tell you all about it later in a letter. Hope you got along all right dear. Good by. I had 3 hrs sleep last night so I'm sleepy now. Lots of love & kisses for you dear from Ruth. Jan. 6."

Porter Hall
front Untitled view of Porter Hall in snow.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Porter Hall Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Photo by Robert Grenier. #MA1586, also #73138. Published by Bromley and Company, Inc., Boston 15, Mass. No ZIP code means pre-1963 publication.