Traditions

Written by Madeleine B.

How have traditions shaped academic and social life at Wellesley?

Since the days of college hall, the day to day experiences of students at Wellesley have greatly changed. Now students study disciplines such as Computer Science or Peace and Justice Studies and spend their free time scrolling on social media and watching Netflix. While none of these things would have been imaginable to a Wellesley student in 1914, there are many aspects of the Wellesley experience that remain the same through long standing traditions at the college.

"Spoonholder on Lake Path" 1891

Social Traditions

Traditions at Wellesley College have always played a large role in framing the social life of students, and while some, such as Hoop Rolling or Tree Day, have been formally identified by the institution, there are many common experiences amongst all Wellesley students without an official title that have persisted over the years.

Community Question (answer in the form below): What is something you think all students should experience during their time at Wellesley?

As seen in the photo above, students during Wellesley's College Hall years enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the campus much in the same way students do today: by spending time with friends along Lake Waban. The Lake has always been a source of fondness for students young and old as they reminisce about taking a walk around its perimeter or sitting with friends in a spoonholder or on Green Beach.

Wellesley’s landscape also lends itself to another favorite social pastime: sledding down Severance Hill. Historically, students have used borrowed dining hall trays for sledding, the broken remains of one were found in WCHAP's excavation of the area.

Bits of broken plastic, likely from dining hall tray used in sledding

"Sledding down Severance Hill," 1925

"Four Students in a Dorm Room in College Hall," 1881

In the photo on the left, you can see students doing a mix of reading, writing, and working on embroidery while in a dorm room of College Hall. While the rooms stylistically look different today, their function as a space for leisure will always remain the same. Students can still be found in their dorm rooms doing the same activities pictured here, as well as many new ones such as watching movies on a laptop or playing games with friends.

Community Question (answer in the form below): What is one of your favorite ways to spend time with friends inside the dorms?

Adhering to Academic Tradition

Since its founding, Wellesley has maintained a standard of rigorous academics that thoroughly prepares graduates for life outside of college. This idea is why students have always been required to take classes across different disciplines, and even must receive credits for courses on writing, physical education, and a foreign language.

The courses that Wellesley offers its students have evolved since the College Hall era to offer a much wider range of study. However, students have always received the same caliber of instruction. In the photo to the right, you can see a group of students working within a chemistry lab. The small class size, still characteristic of the college today, allows these students to work closely with materials and receive one-on-one instruction.

"Chemistry Lab, College Hall" 1890-1899

Below are two types of chemistry equipment excavated at the College Hall site that would have been used in the labs during this time period. These tools remind us of the ways that academics have changed over time as we gradually understand more about the world around us.

Community Question (answer in the form below): Without reading their object descriptions, what do you think the function of these tools may have been?

Chemistry Apparatus

Physical Education

In keeping with the tradition of producing well-rounded students, Wellesley has always required the completion of instruction in Physical Education courses that promote a healthy lifestyle. The requirement can be met through various courses the department offers or through participation in club or varsity sports. While it has remained an important part of academics since the College Hall era, today it can also be a source of leisure for many students who may join a team to form a social bond with others or workout in the Keohane Sports Center as a way to take a break from studying.

"Gymnastics," late 19th-early 20th c.

"Intramural Basketball," 1948

Weights from the Archives

The images above and to the left provide a look at what physical education has looked like over the years, and one can notice many changes in the equipment and the style of dress required for activity.

For many students the PE requirement has been considered time consuming and difficult to meet, and they dread having to take the classes, a sentiment that has been shared throughout Wellesley's history. In the excerpt from the letter below, Eleanor Blair writes to her mother about her gym classes saying, "You see if it rains we can't have gym, so we freshmen fairly pray for rain on our gym days."

Letter from Eleanor Blair , Wellesley, Massachusetts, to Mr. A.W. Blair, Montour Falls, New York, 1913 October 14

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