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Category: Back to School


Sep
2023

Back To School: Vintage School Clubs Part 2

categories: Back to School, Vintage Yearbooks

Do you remember the excitement of joining a school club? Maybe you loved the music program, voted for student council president, or joined the debate team. Whatever you were part of you cannot deny that for decades, school clubs have provided students with the chance to explore their interests, build relationships, and create lasting memories.

Here at the Vintage Inn Blog, I have always loved this subject and finally in 2017 I did a post on ‘School Clubs 1920s-1950s‘. It was fun to scan yearbook photos of times gone by and try and figure out what some of the clubs were about.

I decided since it’s been a few years that I would do a part 2. Especially since I have come to realize that school clubs were also called “Organizations & Associations” (maybe that is why hardly anybody saw my last post?).

Anyways! Let’s get started and explore the exciting world of vintage school clubs!

1950s High School Yearbook Photo featuring the Pep Club

Source: eBay

All images are sourced from the North Carolina Yearbooks-DigitalNC

Vintage School Clubs / Organizations / Associations 1920s-1950s

The “Happy Four Club” – 1923 Barton College, ‘Pine Knot’ yearbook.

Any thoughts on what this club was about? My research came up empty. Let’s have some fun in the comments section below.

Further Reading: Vintage Photo Tuesday: A Look into 1941 Barton College-Pine Knot Yearbook

1920s vintage yearbook photo of a school club called "happy four club" in 1923 featuring 4 girls in 1920s fashions at Barton College, North Carolina.

1927 yearbook photo of the Campbell University Dramatic Club as seen in the ‘Pine Burr’ yearbook.

That year the school play was “Peg O’ My Heart”.

1927 yearbook photo of the Campbell University Dramatic Club as seen in the Pine Burr yearbook. Super 1920s fashions in the photo for men and for women.

1929 yearbook (The ‘Lotus’) from William Peace University featured The Advertiser’s Club & the Happy-Go-Lucky Club.

What club would you of joined?

Liz note: These stylish young women in both images are posing in some pretty fantastic late 1920s coats and hairstyles.

Late 1920s vintage yearbook photo from 1929 from William Peace University featuring an image of the Advertisers Club. A group of young women in late 1920s coats & hats holding binders.
Late 1920s vintage yearbook photo from 1929 from William Peace University featuring an image of the "happy-Go-Lucky" club. A group yearbook photo of young women in late 1920s coats and 1920s hairstyles.

1930 ‘The English Study Club’ as seen in ‘The Blue Bear’ yearbook from Livingstone College, North Carolina.

1930s vintage yearbook - 1930 'The English Study Club' as seen in 'The Blue Bear' yearbook from Livingstone College in North Carolina. Livingstone college is a Black College and the image features Black Men & Wome in 1930s fashions.

Western Carolina Teachers College 1934 Debate Team (as seen in the ‘Catamount’ yearbook).

Don’t mess with our lady in the bottom right (2nd in), she will debate you!

1930s Vintage Yearbook photo from 1934 of the Debate Team from The image features young men and women in 1930s fashions posing together on the steps of the school.

The ‘Paint and Palette Club’ of 1939-an organization for the purpose of furthering an interest in art among members of the art department and student body.

Queens University of Charlotte, ‘The Coronet’ yearbook.

1930s vintage photo from a 1939 yearbook of the Paint and Palette club (art club) featuring young university women in late 1930s hairstyles.

The ‘Chemistry Club’ as seen at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina in 1941 (The ‘Pine Needles’ yearbook).

1940s vintage yearbook from 1941 from the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina. The image is of the Women's Chemistry Club.

The ‘Stirrup Club’ & The ‘Monogram Club’. Salem College, 1944 ‘Sights and Insights’ yearbook.

What do you think the ‘Stirrup Club’ was all about?

1940s vintage yearbook photo from Salem College, 1944 'Sights and Insights' yearbook. The Stirrup Club & The Monogram Club.

The ‘Service Club’ & ‘Women Collegiate Club’ at Fayetteville State University as in the 1947 ‘Bronco’ yearbook.

I’m loving all the saddle shoes in the bottom photo!

1940s vintage yearbook photos of The 'Service Club' & 'Women Collegiate Club' at Fayetteville State University (Black University) in 1947 (The Bronco yearbook).

The ‘Day Students Organization’ as seen in the Phi Psi Cli 1948 yearbook from Elon College.

About: The Day Students make up a great portion of the student body. They are always on the job to lend a helping hand to all school activities. Each year they give a party for the student body which is one of the big affairs of the school year.

1940s vintage yearbook photo of The 'Day Students Organization' as seen in the Phi Psi Cli 1948 yearbook from Elon College

“The Tailoring Club” 1950 ‘Ayantee’ yearbook from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Look at those well dressed students! DANG!

The Tailoring Club-1950 Vintage Yearbook photo from a HBCU in North Carolina. 1950 'Ayantee' yearbook from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University featuring Well dressed Black Men and a Black Women

The ‘Hoof-Print Club’ at Meredith College as seen in the ‘Oak Leaves’ 1952 yearbook.

This club was all about the love of horses, horse shows and everything else around that subject.

1950s vintage yearbook photo of the 'Hoof-Print Club' at Meredith College as seen in the 'Oak Leaves' 1952 yearbook.

A full page of clubs and one association in the ‘Ayantee’ [1954] yearbook from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.

  • The Women’s Athletic Association
  • Physical Education Majors Club
  • Art Circle
  • Masonry Club
  • Virginia Club
  • Floridian Club
  • French Club
  • Home Ecker’s Club
1950s vintage yearbook page of School Clubs at the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina a Black College.

The ‘Marshal Club’ at Gardner-Webb University as seen in the ‘Anchor’ 1955 yearbook.

About: The Marshal Club is the honor society of Gardner-Webb. Membership in this organization is one of the highest honors attainable. The active marshals servce as ushers at public functions and marshals at graduation. The purpose of this organization is to stimulate scholarship, to develp character, to encourage leadership, and to create good fellowship.

1950s vintage yearbook photo of The 'Marshal Club' at Gardner-Webb University as seen in the 'Anchor' 1955 yearbook.

The 1957 ‘Ivy Leaf Club’ from Elizabeth City State University, the ‘Pirate’s Log’ yearbook.

They even have an “ivy” in the photo.

I am also unsure of what this club was about. Thoughts?

1950s vintage yearbook from Elizabeth City State University a Black University featuring a photo of the Ivy Leaf Club. The Image is of young Black Women in 1950s fashions & hairstyles

Question Time: Were you in any school clubs during your highschool or maybe higher education days? I was in Drama in highschool and I loved every minute of it (even though I was not very good). Share any thoughts in the comment section below.

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


Jan
2023

Vintage Photos of Dorm Life in the 1920s-1960s

categories: Back to School, vintage images, Vintage Photo Tuesday

While browsing the web, I stumbled up on a gold mine of vintage dorm life photos from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It featured students from the 1920s-1960s (and before & after these dates), having a fun time in school.

Let’s take a look at what I found on this Vintage Photo Tuesday (collection of vintage images blog posts)!

Vintage photo maybe 1950s or 1960s of two women hanging out in their door room studying and on the phone at the University of Wisconsin Madison

Students Gloria Fraidin and Marianne Johnson hang out in dorm room.

Vintage Photos of Dorm Life

1920s-1960s Images

Moving in Day! 1955 photo of students moving into their dorms. Look at those super white shoes in the trunk. Fancy!

1950s vintage photo of young men in 1955 moving into their Dorms at the University of Wisconsin Madison. 1950s fashion for men & 1950s cars.

Source: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. Special Collections and Area Research Center

Moving in with the help of Dad. An early 1950s photo.

I shared the below image in my last post on ‘Vintage Samsonite Advertising‘, but it was too good to not reshare again (those saddle shoes!).

Early 1950s photo of Moving into the dorm; UW-Madison. A young woman holding luggage, accompanied by two older men also holding luggage, stands in the hallway of a dormitory. C. 1950s

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S05632

1955 (maybe a bit later) photo of two young women holding giant teddy bears in the students lounge in their residence.

I’m slightly terrifed of the bear on the right BUT our young woman’s leopard print capris & matching collar on her sweater is to die for! Love!

1950s vintage photo of two young university students in 1950s fashions one in saddle shoes another in leopard print (capris pants & leopard print collar sweater) holding giant teddy bears at their residence hall. Vintage Dorm Life in Wisconsin

Source: Stevens Point Area Research Center : Lot 231, Box 23, Students-Candids, Folder 1

These co-eds make a fashion statement in stripes while relaxing in their dorm building. C. 1950s.

So many fun things to look at in this photo. The illustration of the girl in her loungewear on the wall. The cool Mid-Century curtains. Our one girl with a hair net on to protect her hairstyle and of course the stuffed animals. So fun!

1950s vintage photo of two young women at the university of Wisconsin Madison in striped pajamas in their dorm building having a a slumber party

Source: Flickr- UW-Stevens Point Identifier: Lot 231, Box 23, Students-Candids, Folder 1

1960 photo of students eating pizza and drinking sodas in their dorm room.

1960s vintage photo of three young women at the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1960s fashions eating pizza and drinking sodas in their dorm. -Vintage Dorm Life.

Source: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. Special Collections and Area Research Center

1950s vintage photo of two young men learning how to iron.

1950s vintage photo of two young men in university learning how to iron while staying in the dorms. Dorm Life

Source: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse. Special Collections and Area Research Center

Whether it was the 1950s or the 1960s (like below), laundry had to get done.

Women students ironing in a dorm room in Trowbridge Hall, which opened in 1960. The building was named for faculty member and history professor Myrtle Trowbridge. C. 1961 (Source).

1960s vintage photo of women university students in their dorm at the University of Wisconisn doing the laundry and ironing

UW- La Crosse Identifier: UW-L photos_Activities_Studying

1920s photo: A group of female students lounge around their dorm room before bedtime.

1920s vintage photo of a group of young women in their dorm room hanging out in their pajamas at the University of Wisconsin Madison

Source: Flickr- UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S15006

1940s Photo: Ann Emory Hall bedroom with a young woman in 1940s fashions making notes.

1940s vintage photo: 1941 photo of a a girl in her College dorm room in Wisconsin in 1940s fashions

Source: Flickr-UW Madison Archives Identifier: S13067

This photo might fall into the 1970’s but it also could be late 1960s. I’m not 100% sure (no date on the photo), but it was too historical to not share. 3 young Black women share a laugh in their dorm room surrounded by posters of historial Black figures & a “Black is Beautiful” image.

vintage photo from the 1960s or 1970s of Black women in a dorm room at the University of Wisconsin Madison surrounded by Black Activists

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S14102

An older woman holds a pillow while two younger women (in cute two piece skirt suits) stand by an open suitcase in a dorm room. C. 1940s

1940s Vintage photo of student life in a dorm at UW-Madison. An older woman holds a pillow while two younger women stand by an open suitcase in a dorm room. C. 1940s

Source: Flickr-UW Madison Archives Identifier: S05602

A Mid-Century decorated snack bar at the Sellery Hall Dorm, I think late 1960s. I love the Starburst clock and of course the cool Tiki’s on the wall.

1960s vintage photo of students at the University of Wisconsin Madison relaxing at the snack bar at Sellery Hall. The room is Mid Century with a Tiki feel on the wall

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S12210

Party time at the dorm! Jack Vazina and Dave Thompson, in waiter uniforms, work the bar during a party in Swenson house of Kronshage hall. C. 1949.

1940s vintage photo from the University of Wisconsin-Madison of 2 young men, Jack Vazina and Dave Thompson, in waiter uniforms, work the bar during a party in Swenson house of Kronshage hall. C. 1949. Vintage Dorm Life.
1940s vintage photo from the University of Wisconsin-Madison of 2 young men, Jack Vazina and Dave Thompson, in waiter uniforms, drink from the taps at the bar during a party in Swenson house of Kronshage hall. C. 1949. Vintage Dorm Life.

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S12187 & S12186

Sample women’s dorm room; UW-Madison.

Two women examine a sample dormitory room for women at Memorial Union. in 1935 (That is some coat on our lady on the right and I love her 1930s shoes. Very cute).

1930s vintage photo of two women one older and one younger in 1930s fashions looking at what a dorm room looks like at the University of Wisconsin Madison

Source: Flickr-UW-Madison Archives Identifier: S05648

1950s Photo: The “Dorm Den”. A “den where the boys relax” in one of the dormitories. A group of young men are reading, chatting and listening to the radio.

1950s photo of young men in the dorm den reading chatting and listening to the radio at the University of Wisconsin madison.

Source: University of Wisconsin–Madison. Archives : S05633

Room of the times. 1960s student dorm with posts of JFK, Peanuts, and Simon & Garfunkel.

1960s vintage photo of a Student dorm with posts of JFK, Peanuts, and Simon & Garfunkel at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Source: University of Wisconsin—Madison. Archives S16709

The last photo of this set is a fantastic one for those who love 1940s fashions & 1940s hairstyles because there are some stunning dresses and outfits in this photo from 1948.

Now what are we looking at exactly? Robert “Rabbit” Roemer, candidate for Dorm Duke, standing with his female admirers. What is “Dorm Duke”? No clue! If one of my readers know please share in the comments below.

1940s vintage photo from 1948 featuring young women in beautiful 1940s fashions at the University of Wisconsin Madison holding a sign to vote for a guy named rabbit for Dorm Duke (dressed as a rabbit).

Source: University of Wisconsin—Madison. Archives S17087

I hpoe you enjoyed this post on Dorm life in Wisconsin. Please share any thoughts you wish to share in the comments section below (maybe fav photo, what dorm life was like for you etc. ).

On a personal note, I lived in a dorm for one year when I attend “Toronto Metropolitan University from 1999-2003”. My first year in the big city and my first dorm experience (I had already attended 3 years of college at this point but lived at home). It was a lot of fun and I’m glad I did it.

Thanks for dropping by!

FURTHER READING:

Liz