Students and Local People

History

Postcards of Mount Holyoke with students in the image are relatively rare, as are postcards of South Hadley with townspeople in them. I'm pleased to have this selection. To see more images with people in them, check my photo collection (which also includes stereoviews).

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.

11698 Leaving Chapel: front "11698. Leaving Chapel, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." In upper left: "Copyright 1908 by Detroit Publishing Co." Inscription: "June 22, 1908. Mabel M. Mason."; back Divided back, stamp box. Flag cancel. Postmarked Jun 22, 1908 10am in South Hadley. "Have been attending my class reunion. Went to Amherst College to hear the class singing. The junior class won the prize. Thank you for the pretty postal from Lawrence. Miss Packard & I have walked through that street many times. June 22. 1908. M. M. Mason."
11695 Seniors Marching To Chapel: front "11695 Seniors Marching To Chapel, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." In lower right: "Copyright 1908 by Detroit Publishing Co."; back Divided back, unused, stamp box. "Phostint" Card by Detroit Publishing Co.
Lacrosse Players: front Untitled photo of lacrosse players; back Divided back, unused. "Mount Holyoke College Athletics means serious competition in NCAA Division III, the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC), and the New England Women's Eight Conference (NEW8)."
1904 Class Baby: front "Class of 1904, Mt. Holyoke College Fifth Year Reunion" "Greetings from the Class Baby, Ruth Hana Tenny 45-B Bluff, Yokohama, Japan" Hand colored photos of toddling baby, and mom and baby.; back Divided back, postmarked Jun 21, 1909 7am in Towanda, PA. Flag cancel "Did you get one of these cards? I rather think you did, but don't seem to remember for sure. Wish you could have gone with us Wed. eve. We had fine ride. Alice B." Addressed to Grace Hadley.
Students Walking by Lower Lake: front Untitled photo of students walking by Lower Lake.; back Divided back, unused. "Crossed by scenic trails and dotted with lakes and streams, Mount Holyoke College's spacious campus is nestled in the heart of the New England town of South Hadley, Massachusetts."
11694 Shattuck and Williston Halls: front "11694. Shattuck and WIlliston Halls, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." Copyright 1908 by Detroit Publishing Co.; back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Oct 27, 1908 3pm in Greenfield Mass. A Phostint card. "send Toad down with his gun quick as there is a deer down hear, [sic] and tell him to bring a long [sic] Edson's old hat Hub."
ALANA Women: front Untitled view of women in the library; back Divided back, unused. "ALANA women come from near and far to take on the Mount Holyoke College challenge. Dynamic and diverse, together we celebrate our differences and commonalities. We encourage you to join us."
Llamarada Staff 1902: front Untitled view of ten women; back Divided back, unused. "Llamarada (Yearbook) Staff, 1902/Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" Photo courtesy of Susan Greenleaf Anderson. This is a modern reproduction I commissioned from an old photograph in a friend's collection. Only 10 were made.
Cyanotype Portrait: front A cyanotype of a woman in a fancy hat, fur-collared coat, and carrying an elaborate handbag. Inscription: "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from yours truly."; back Undivided back, postmarked Dec 23, 1906 10pm in Cincinnati, OH. Addressed to Martha D. Byington.
Cyanotype Portrait: front A cyanotype of a woman in a fancy hat and fur-collared coat. Inscription: "A merry, Merry Christmas to you. Guess who?"; back Undivided back, postmarked Dec 23, 1906 10pm in Cincinnati, OH. Addressed to Martha D. Byington.
Sepia Portrait: front A sepia-toned photo of a woman leaning against a chair back. Inscription: "Dear M: Rec'd your card and thank you for writing to Abby Turner. She wrote to me at once, and I answered her to-night, sending M.O. for Glee Club tickets. I asked if my aunt might come to the Class Dinner, & will let you know what she says. H. M. F."; back Undivided back, unpostmarked, but addressed to Martha D. Byington at an address where she lived in 1905.
Pageant: front An untitled photo of heralds at a pageant; back Divided back, postmarked May 5, 1916 in Methuen, MA. Flag cancel. "Methuen May 5 '16. Have just returned from a visit to Hudson, N.Y. & Mt. Holyoke. If pleasant, I will call on you Sunday, reaching B. V. about 4-20. I do wish the electric cars went there. Hope all are well. Yours, Florence."
All Dressed Up: front Four women on stage. Photograph by Harry Gordon Photo Service, courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, postmarked Mar 26, 1988 in Springfield, MA. "Charlotte Thanks for material. I gave it to my class on "Sex & Politics." One more example - sometimes they get angry with me for bringing them the bad news - Best, Jean" Addressed to Charlotte Reed.
Mt. Holyoke: front "Mt. Holyoke" An illustration of a woman in cap and gown by Cob Shinn.; back Divided back, postmarked Apr 7, 1909 2pm in Lexington IL. Addressed to Miss Susan Peck, who may be Susan A. Peck x1877, but not enough information is available to make the identification.
Mount Holyoke Students in Turtu, 1926: front An untitled real photo.; back Divided back, unmailed but inscribed: "July 24, 1926. Turtu, Estonia. At Turtu University building. Mt. Holyoke of Massachusetts and Ohio U. of Ohio. where we ate while in Turtu. Hally Kalkun in costume, an Estonian girl."
Frances Perkins: front "The red silk bargain dress in the shop window is a danger signal. It is a warning of the return to the sweatshop, a challenge to us all. - Frances Perkins" Frances Perkins is a Mount Holyoke alumna from the class of 1902.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Photo courtesy of the National Archives. Bread & Roses Series #8. Helaine Victoria Press, copyright 1979. "Frances Perkins (1880-1965), US Secretary of Labor 1933-45, first woman in the Presidential Cabinet. She was a lifelong champion of labor from her collegiate social days and, witnessing the 1911 Triangle factory fire, vowed "to spend my life fighting conditions that would permit such a tragedy." A leading architect of the New Deal, she greatly influenced all major modern legislation in favor of collective bargaining, retirement pensions, wage & hour laws, and unemployment benefits. Even so, male laborers were often among her opponents because of her efforts to help working women, children, minorities, & immigrants and because they felt a man should have her job. Conservative newspapers puffed the rumor that she was a foreign-born Jewish communist, citing her use of her maiden name as "evidence" of concealed identity. The House actually held impeachment hearings. Acquitted, she resumed her job and went on to teach labor courses at Cornell, working all her 85 years."
Crew: front Untitled view of crew members on the water; back Undivided back, unused. "50 College Street, South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075-1488 Mount Holyoke College" Office of Communications 13990900 Photo by William Mercer. This postcard was a giveaway during Row as One Camp, summer of 2000.
Miriam Kelly: front A real photo portrait.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused, but inscribed "Miriam Kelly - Mount Holyoke."
Pioneer Hose Company No. 1: front Untitled.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 South Hadley, Massachusetts May 30, 1889" Published by Elite Printing Co., South Hadley for the South Hadley Historical Society.
Balloon Day 1924: front Students in hats, holding balloons. Photograph by Asa Kinney, courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Balloon Day 1924: Future Leaders of America"
You Know I'll Always Cheer for You: front Students seated in bleachers, holding pennants. Photograph by Delar, Rockefeller Center, courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "You know I'll always cheer for you! (1943)"
Still Waiting to Hear from You: front Students looking through the mail in the dorm mail basket. The basket was attached in the stairwell so that someone on an upper floor could haul up on the rope and get her mail without walking downstairs. Photograph by International News Photo, Inc., courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Still waiting to hear from you. (ca 1943)"
Putting Out the Fire: front Students carrying a hose up a ladder into a second floor dorm room. (Pearsons?) Courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Mount Holyoke women putting out the fire: Always ahead of our time! (1920)"
We Don't Wait for the Dust to Settle: front A student sweeps in a dorm hallway. Courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "We don't wait for the dust to settle! (ca. 1944)"
It's Been a Tough Day: front A student lying on her bed. From a print by Thomas Jacob, courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "It's been a tough day! (1890's)"
Building Character: front Students on Skinner stairs. Photograph by Raymond D'Addario, courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Library/Archives.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Building character. (1944)"
Festival Procession, 1912: front Real photo of women in graduation caps and gowns.; back Divided back, postmarked Dec 24, 1913 9:30am in Winchendon, Mass. Addressed to Mrs. James Henretta. "Your card rec'd I've thought of you often & meant to send you this before yours came. Took this of Lilla Morse in the festival procession with faculty at Holyoke Seventy fifth Oct. 1912. It was a cloudy day. Yes, I'll try to write Bertha Merry Xmas & Happy New Year"
Gracious: front Students having tea in one of the dorm living rooms.; back "Goodness Gracious It's Your Birthday / Happy Birthday to an Uncommon Woman" 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.
Bulletin Board: front Sophomore reading their class bulletin board in the post office.; back "The Bulletin Board of Life Reads... Happy Birthday to you! From your luddite class presidents, Dana and Sue" 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.
M&Cs, and Basketball: front Students having M&Cs, and students playing basketball.; back "Wishing you a slam dunk of a birthday -- and no soggy graham crackers in the bottom of your mug of milk. www.mhcclassof1960.net" 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.
Lab and Library: front Students in a chemistry lab, and students in the library.; back "Our research shows that your birthday is coming right up. Dewey send good wishes? You bet! www.mhcclassof1960.net" 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.
1955 and 1965: front Students in a dorm room, and students on campus.; back "Between the decorousness of 1955 and getting high in 1965 came the class of 1960, bridging one of the biggest gulfs between what was and was to come. www.mhcclassof1960.net" 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.
Hook and Ladder Kid's Museum: front Untitled image of a child in adult clothing.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Hook and Ladder Kid's Museum / Part of the Old Firehouse Museum / 2 North Main Street, South Hadley, MA / A visitor with dreams of being a firefighter. (Photo by Don Treeger)" Published by Elite Printing Co., South Hadley for the South Hadley Historical Society.
Original Engine House: front Untitled image of firehouse and fire fighters.; back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Original Engine House, Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 / Now the Old Firehouse Museum / 2 North Main Street, South Hadley, MA" Published by Elite Printing Co., South Hadley for the South Hadley Historical Society.
Basketball circa 1921: front Untitled real photo of students playing basketball.; back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "Outdoor basketball at Mount Holyoke College / Return to Edith S. Palmer, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
Volleyball circa 1921: front Untitled real photo of students playing volleyball.; back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "Volley ball at Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass / Return to Rowena H. Turner, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
Field Hockey circa 1921: front Untitled real photo of students playing field hockey.; back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed: "Field hockey at Mount Holyoke College / Return to Edith S. Palmer, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
Two 1943 students: front Two women standing outdoors near a tree; back Divided back, stamp block (EKC). "Muriel Fales - Baltimore, Md. / Mary Lou Whitney - Toledo Ohio / Mount Holyoke College South Hadley Mass / Class of 1943 ~~1940-1941~~ March 1943"
Class Baby, 1904: front "A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year." Inscription: "Grace Webb Tenny, Mt. H C. '04. & Ruth Hana Tenny A prospective Holyoke girl." Hand colored photos of toddling baby, and the child standing on a chair. #45B Bluff, Yokohama.; back Divided back, stamp block, unused.
Main Building and Auditorium, Silver Bay Association, Lake George: front "Main Building and Auditorium / Silver Bay Association Lake George" Students congregate around the building, and several college banners are hung from the windows and porch, including a Mount Holyoke banner from the third floor. This scan is higher resolution in hopes that the Mount Holyoke banner can be seen more readily.; back Divided back, stamp block, unused. AZO stamp block (circa 1904-1918).
South Hadley parade: front A parade float representing South Hadley education, agriculture, and manufacturing.; back Divided back, stamp block, unused. AZO stamp block (circa 1904-1918).
Class Play 1919: front Twelve students posed on stage, wearing loose pants, camisole-style shirts, and ribboned headdresses.; back Divided back, stamp block, postally unused, but inscribed: "Class Play 1919 / Mount Holyoke College. / South Hadley Massachusetts"