Series III. Centennial (100th Anniversary), 1950, 1975
Scope and Contents
Collection consists of records from college anniversaries, dating from 1925-2000, including correspondence, event materials and programs, planning documents, publicity records, and fundraising records, related conferences, reports, and publications. Collection is arranged in four series. Series I. 50th Anniversary (1925) consists of records from the college’s 50th Anniversary in 1925, including letters of congratulations, event programs, records from Semi-Centennial Fund campaign, records of schools, colleges, associations, and individuals regarding participation in the event, and a scroll from the French government which accompanied a gift of statues and vases. Series II. 75th Anniversary (1946-1950) consists of records from the college’s 75th Anniversary (1946-1950) including a report on expected expenses, conferences and events held, and the 75th Anniversary edition of the Alumnae Magazine. Series III. Centennial (1950, 1975) consists of records from the college’s 75th Anniversary (1946-1950) including a report on expected expenses, conferences and events held, and the 75th Anniversary edition of the Alumnae Magazine. Series IV. 125th Anniversary (2000) includes records of fundraising and events held.
Dates
- Creation: 1950, 1975
Creator
- From the Collection: Wellesley College (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. To make an appointment to view materials, please contact the Archives staff by email at archives@wellesley.edu or by phone at (781) 283-3745.
Biographical / Historical
The college launched a Centennial Fund campaign in 1972, with a goal of raising $70.7 million. The Centennial Ball was a student-sponsored event that took place in Alumnae Hall on April 19th, 1975 to fundraise for the campaign. A Centennial Carnival took place on April 28, 1975. The college hired Jean Glasscock (Class of 1933) to write a history of the college as Centennial Historian (she had previously served as Director of Publicity and Coordinator of Special Events). Glasscock worked with thirteen trustees, professors, and administrators on this history, and conducted oral history interviews as part of the process. Their book titled “Wellesley College 1875-1975: A Century of Women” was published in March, 1975. A Centennial Office was opened in September 1971 to plan the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the college, led by Nancy Lewis. A Centennial Steering Committee was established, led by chairman Margaret Watts Case (Class of 1937), and including students, faculty, staff, and alumnae. The slogan “Here Begins a New Life” or in Latin “Incipit nova vita” was chosen for Wellesley’s second hundred years. The official Centennial year was determined to be March 1975 (marking the anniversary of the signing of the college charter) to June 1976 (marking Commencement). A program put on by students and faculty was held on September 8, 1975 (the anniversary of the college’s opening); the same day there were exhibits of historical materials from the college’s earliest days.
[Information from: Report of the President 1950, page 19, and from file “Centennial, 1975-1976” in 1SD Records of the Publicity Office, Box 3 Folder 15. See also: "Wellesley College 1875-1975: A Century of Women” by Jean Glasscock, 1975, at URL: repository.wellesley.edu/wellesleyhistories/1.]
Extent
From the Collection: 1.6 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Wellesley College Archives Repository