As we all remember (or maybe don’t), school was not just about books and tests it was also about all the fun activities you could do outside of your regular classes. For example, I was in Drama club when I was in high school. I was terrible but I loved being part of something that made me smile and was my choice to be involved in. I also enjoyed the dances because I love to dance and dress-up and I got to do both a few times a year. Win!

Today’s “Vintage Photo Tuesday” is all about this “life outside of the classroom” and features students from various levels of education and schools from the 1920’s-1950’s.

Let’s take a look!

vintage image of students at university of Chicago
Source: University of Chicago Archives

Vintage Photo’s of Student Life: 1920s-1950s

1940s Vintage Photo, October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches.

1940s vintage photo of students in art class studing a painting. October 1949: Paul Macdonald of Gananoque, Ont, 3rd year drawing and painting student, paints semi-abstract still life with fruit while 2nd year ceramics student Nancy Snider, of Islington, Ont, watches.
Source: Library & Archives Canada

Meeting of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University-1946.

1940s Photo of Black Students Meeting of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University-1946.

Source: Life Photo Collection

Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend.

1940s vintage image of 1948 image of young men with a portable radio in suits - Boys and their portable radio-1948. Lineup outside the Athletic office for tickets for McGill football weekend.
Source: University of Toronto Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo of Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

1950s vintage photo of two young women in traditional Chinese dresses on the lawn at a San Antonio College. Mae Wang, left, and Jeanne Chen enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on a lawn at Our Lady of the Lake University. The two attended the university thanks to a four-year scholarship through an overseas student service.

Source: sacurrent.com

A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review. While I’m not sure what a “Dentette” is at the University of Toronto, I do know it looks like they are having fun.

1940s image of young women in 1940s outfits doing a kickline pose for the camera. A group of dancing Dentettes in rehearsal for the 1946-47 Dentatics musical review.
Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity – members singing at the piano (1952).

1950s vintage photo: University of Toronto-Alpha Phi Fraternity - women members singing at the piano (1952) in 1950s fashions.
U of T Archives Image Bank

The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto-1952.

1950s vintage photo of a School Dance at University of Toronto Vintage Image from 1952-The Athletes Night Big Dance at University of Toronto
Source: U of T Archives Image Bank

Editorial staff of the “Hill Top”, the student paper at Howard University-1946.

Editorial staff of the "Hill Top", the student paper at Howard University. 1940s vintage photo of black students.

Source: Life Photo Collection

East York (Toronto) Student Panel-1949.

1940s vintage photo of the 1949 East York Toronto Student Panel
Source Toronto Archives

The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students (Source). Here is a group performing “Peas and Beans”, 1946.

1940s vintage photo of student life: Jordan River Revue, "Peas and Beans" ," The Jordan River Revue was a musical variety show written, produced, directed and acted in by Indiana University Students
Source: IU Archives

The Book Nook Commencement was a mock commencement ceremony that took place at the Book Nook, a popular student hangout in the 1920s located at Indiana and Kirkwood Avenue.  A combination soda fountain and bookstore, the Book Nook was known for its music and the sometimes rowdy behavior of its customers.  For many years the Book Nook played a significant role in Indiana University student culture (Source).

Notable IU alum musician and composer Hoagy Carmichael was a frequent patron (Seen below at the piano, 1939), and it is said he composed his most famous songs, Stardust, at one of the Book Nook booths.

Hoagy Carmichael at the Book Nook University of Indiana 1939 Vintage Image
Source: IU Archives

Dorm Life at the University of Chicago, 1950’s.

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Dorm Life in the 1920s-1960s

1950s vintage image of Dorm Life at the University of Chicago 1950s
Source: University of Chicago Archives

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940’s University of Chicago.

Hanging out in the dining hall with friends and cokes-1940's vintage image of student life at the University of Chicago.
Source: University of Chicago Archives

I’m now going to end this week’s VPT with the most outstanding vintage student life image..ever! It is from the 1920’s at the University of Chicago. WOW! what style!

1920s vintage image of two women in 1920s fashions and young man in 1920s college fashion talking together outside of the University of Chicago
Source: University of Chicago Archives

I hope you enjoyed this week’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday’. Share your favourite image in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

Have a super day friends!

Liz