WSC Graduation circa 1930s

WSC Graduation circa 1930s

Sorting through a box of dusty photographs made up of graduating classes from Worcester State going back to the class of 1890, seemed unexciting. I feared I might not find a picture I made a connection with. Many have been reframed on thick sun-faded cardboard with a brief inscription dating the photograph or mentioning a social landmark, such as the first African American student. All descriptions were short and did not elaborate much on the faces standing on the steps patiently waiting for the exposure to take. Going through the pictures yielded not much of a change from one year to another. That is, until I found an unmarked picture at the bottom of the pile. Gone were the working gowns that dominated the previous samples, now replaced with skirts and more form-instead-of-function tops. Their long hair that was hidden by being tied up was now cut to a classic flapper style. This is in great contrast to the conservative style of the last forty years. Gone were the sad and drawn faces now replaced with cheerful smiles explained by the worry free atmosphere of the time. Every girl and women teachers have the popular hair cut speaking to its spread throughout the culture. The graduating class sits in front at the bottom of the steps in gowns with what looks like the more junior classes standing behind them. The row directly behind the seated figures looks eager, knowing that with just a short time from the taking of this photograph they with be in their own black robes seated at the feet of their classmates. I felt that this picture had an interesting heritage to tell of the transformation of the generation of woman who called Worcester State home.

Worcester Normal School

Worcester State College Archive, Box 5

Caleb Cornock

eng

Black and White Photograph