Sun of Campus Life
The clock in the chapel building's belfry triggered the bells that announced the end of classes in all the buildings. Five minutes later it signaled their beginning.
The control of the class bells by the chapel clock symbolized the prominence that the building had in Georgetown College's campus life. Within its walls, activities took place related to the academic, athletic, social, and cultural life of the campus.
During the day, students took biology, economics, and education classes, and met with their economics and biology teachers. They used the library throughout the day and observed its strict protocol. Young men studied on the right side of the room, for example, while young ladies worked on the left.
The Library
The library was in the front part of the main
floor on the east side. At the time of the fire, 40,000 volumes were on
its shelves.
Conversations, or disturbances of any kind, were forbidden. After a third offense, library privileges were suspended.
Photograph from
Belle of the Blue, 1898
The Chapel Stage
Most ceremonial, academic, and religious assemblies were held in the chapel: 36 commencements, inaugurations of four presidents, many orchestral concerts, and the funeral of Dr. James Jefferson Rucker.
The college orchestra performed its concerts
in the Chapel.
Belle of the Blue, 1913
The Gymnasium
In the gymnasium, of course, the expected events occurred. Intercollegiate basketball games were played, but the primary purpose of the gym was to provide facilities, including a swimming pool, for students to exercise and release their energy. But the gymnasium also had non-athletic uses. Groups held banquets and the Maskrafters performed plays.
The 40x70-foot gymnasium occupied
the rear of the main floor. It was equipped with gymnastic equipment,
basketball goals, and an indoor track suspended from the ceiling. To go
a mile, a person had to run 27 laps.
Belle of the Blue, 1898
The Auditorium
Staff, faculty, and students sit in the
auditorium during the administration of M.B. Adams (1913-1930).
Portraits of the college's presidents hang on the wall.
The auditorium was in the front part of the building on the west side, next to the library. It held 550 people. During larger assemblies, a large door between it and the gymnasium could be removed to expand seating.
Special Collections and Archives, Ensor Learning Resource Center
Presidential Inauguration
The earliest photograph of a presidential
inauguration was this one of M.B. Adams in 1913, which took place in the
Chapel.
Belle of the Blue, 1914
Literary Societies
Before
the time of fraternities and of sports, literary societies were the primary
institutions for entertainment and socializing on campus.
The men's fraternities — Ciceronian and Tau Theta Kappa — moved their meeting halls and libraries from the Academy Building to the Chapel Building.
In
open sessions, held throughout the school year, the literary societies invited
members of their rivals to watch oratory, declamations, and debates, and listen
to music and readings.
The Ciceronian and the Tau Theta Kappa Societies had their meeting halls on the third floor of the Chapel Building.
As
you can see from these views taken from the Belle of the Blue, the floors were
carpeted and the rooms were furnished with comfortable seating of the day.
Both societies had libraries of 2,000 volumes each.
Belle of the Blue, 1900
