Traditions

Wellesley Traditions Through Time

Written by Emma D., Jessie F., Anna G., and Kalau T-P.

Many traditions at Wellesley College, such as hoop rolling, step singing, and Flower Sunday, can be traced back to the institution’s founding. However, as Wellesley has changed over time, so has its traditions. As long as the world remains an ever changing place, Wellesley’s traditions will continue to change too. Our objects showcase the evolution of traditions at Wellesley College.

The piece of lunch tray and coins are artifacts showing the tradition of “traying” down Severance Hill. As Wellesley has become increasingly environmentally friendly, trays are less frequently used. That students now use sleds instead of trays shows how traditions have adapted as Wellesley has changed. Revisiting the past helps us imagine what Wellesley traditions will be like in the future.

The object representing contemporary traditions is a sign created for Marathon Monday that says “Kiss me for better weather.” The tradition of cheering on runners for the Boston Marathon as they run through Wellesley has gradually evolved over time. Recently, Wellesley students have taken to holding up signs inviting runners to kiss them. This object demonstrates how “MarMon” has evolved to reflect student culture.

Representing a future tradition is a “tree” based on the current tradition of planting a tree on Wellesley’s campus for each sophomore class. Since this “tree” is actually a wind turbine and solar panel constructed from magnesite, it still honors the dedicating a tree to each class but reflects future concerns about climate change.

Traditions of Wellesley College, a book published in 1916, established “a record of the origin and development of College customs and traditions.” It was never updated, so I created a new version to show how traditions have changed over time. Being able to trace the history of Wellesley’s traditions provides important information about Wellesley culture throughout the years.

Past evidence of Traditions

There’s something about Wellesley’s campus in the snow--icicles hanging from trees and Severance Hill blanketed in white--that makes a lasting impression on students. As they remember their winters at Wellesley, students frequently mention “traying”. This tradition, involving a dining hall lunch tray (plastic or metal) and Severance Hill, dates back to the 1920s. However, the piece of tray found at the excavation site on top of Severance Hill is, at most, ten years old. That in recent years the dining halls have decreased their tray-usage as a step to conserve water has not deterred students from sledding down Severance Hill. Now, makeshift and store-bought sleds are used.

The site where the piece of tray was found was chosen for excavation because of its proximity to the College Hall fire of 1914. After burning to the ground, the rubble from College Hall was filled in. This increased the steepness of Severance Hill and a few years later the first known instances of ‘traying’ occurred. Three coins were found above the layer at the site containing remnants from the fire. The two nickels and dime, possibly dropped from a students’ pocket as they ‘trayed’, were deposited on the hill sometime after 1975.

Present-day evidence of Traditions

Wellesley students first began cheering on runners for the Boston Marathon with the race’s conception in 1897, and the budding tradition experienced a spike in popularity among students in 1971 when women were officially allowed to register for the race. The Wellesley section of the course earned national recognition for the massive wall of sound produced by students surrounding the racecourse and was dubbed the ‘Scream Tunnel.’ In recent years, students have taken to creating signs with catchy slogans inviting runners to kiss them as they go by and competing with friends to see who can get the most kisses — a reflection of the cultural shifts Wellesley has undergone since the beginning of the Marathon. This sign encapsulates the current shared culture of Wellesley students and playfully asks for a kiss while referencing the dismal conditions on race day in 2018: pouring rain and temperatures in the low 40s.

Future evidence of Traditions

Traditions are an integral part of Wellesley College’s identity. They provide a glimpse into the values of the college and the everyday lives of its students. All traditions, old and new, work together to tell the story of Wellesley College throughout the years. Traditions of Wellesley College: 1916-2018 is a continuation of the original book Traditions of Wellesley College, which was published in 1916 with the goal of “establishing a record of the origin and development of College customs and traditions.” Together, the two books will show how and why traditions have changed or stayed the same. Future students will be able to look back at the history of traditions at Wellesley College and see how these traditions have grown with the students who attend.

Started in 1879, Tree Day is a continuing Wellesley College tradition in which a tree is planted in honor of that year’s sophomore class. From a day of celebration, theater, and Greek costumes, to a casual affair with distinguished speakers, the meaning and significance of Tree Day has changed over the years. In response to the ever growing concerns about climate change, in 2117 Wellesley College introduced the CO2 Lowering And Sustainable System (CLASS) tree as a new branch of the classic tradition. As the name suggests, CLASS trees are solar and wind powered biomachines that sustainably power the college and safely store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in embedded magnesite fragments. This model of the CLASS tree dedicated to the class of 2119 represents the hope that as more CLASS trees take root on campus, Wellesley can address global concerns while simultaneously celebrating this over 200 year old tradition.

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