Maypoles, English Themes, and a Successful Theatrical

In the first two weeks of May 1905, Fanny Barber rush towards graduation continues to be punctuated by studying, shopping, parties, and lots of rehearsals for a play in which she performs on May 12 in front of 200 guests. The play is a mystery for now, but I've now made contact with the very generous University Archivist of Elmira College, Nathaniel Bell, who supplied a picture of Fanny Barber in her graduation regalia and assures me there are records of theatrical performances. There's also a photo album donated by Fanny Barber: New Reasons to go to Elmira.

But to continue her May, she takes part in activities that seem reminiscent of college graduates, especially those at women's colleges. Though hopefully all didn't flunk Psychology!

Mon. May 1, 1905

Studied & rehearsed all day & night. Wrote to Emily Gilbert

Thursday, May 2

Letter from A² & wrote to her. Nothing doing. Flunked in Psychology

Wea. Warmer. Wed. May 3, 1905

Finished Rodestock. Wrote to Helen asking them for our play. Sewed. Class spread in Senior parlor. Rehearsed all evening. Taught English Class, gave ‘em L’Allegro & Il Pleseroro to paraphrase. Sylvia recited beautifully. Worked hard on history. Girls fixed up Dr. Harcultois’ rooms for return from wedding trip.

Wea. Hot. Thursday [May] 4

Letter from Vin giving his plans for our trip. Vocal lesson. B & I went to get my picture taken in my new silk dress & then on down-town where I got white shoes & a new skirt, blue mohair. Sat out on campus with Sylvia and we rowed in the boat. Read Pedagogy. Prom Comm. Meeting.

Wea. Rainy. Fri. May 5, 1905

Dray day post-poned. Caroline Bates came. A crowd of us went to St. James’ Hall to see London Assurances given by Senior Class ERA. Danced in chapel after dinner.

Wea. Fine; Rained in Evening. Saturday [May] 6

Went to Clark’s glen on geology expedition. Fanny[?] Carr. Maud Hilton & I walked home. Rehearsed. Wore white dress & cap & gown to May Day. Blanche Fraley was Queen. Orchestra played, two kind of dances. Braids the May Pole dance. Danced in chapel all evening. Bertha was up for a minute.

Wea. Very Fine. Sun. May 7, 1905

Went to church with Rug. & came home long way. Slept all afternoon.  Wrote theme in evening for English 6.

Spent sometime out on campus after dinner

Monday [May] 8

Halls sent me pretty lingerie waist. Went down-town. Rode up with Pauline Bates. Wore best white to guest table au soir where were Ginnie Vivian Owen, Sophie Spring, Eff. Lucy, Sylvia and Pauline. We rehearsed in KE after dinner.

Tue, May 9, 1905

Went to station with Pauline. The Dean gave a tea in the chapel. “Headings at Four” by Miss Owen. Music by freshman orchestra, very good. Wore blue silk & had a grand time with Bertha, Genie, etc. Chapel beautiful in apple blossoms and roses by the basket.

Rehearsed all evening of course.

Wea. Fine. Wednesday [May] 10

Letter from A². Wrote to Hubert asking him to the Prom. No geology. Wrote theme for English and tried to get my history. Took a nap. Bertha came up for a few minutes before dinner. Wore my new blue mohair skirt & white shoes & stockings to dinner. Rehearsed all evening

Thur. May 11, 1905

Letter from Edith saying she can’t come. Went downtown 7 to Miss Clarks to get mohair skirt fitted again & to engage some work. Met Helen Kal?? & Fred Sears. We did soda stunts together. Rehearsed all evening.

Friday [May] 12

Worked a.m. Helped decorate chapel, heard Genie her part afternoon. Chapel decorated with white bunting, faluis(?) & blossoms. Stage built out. Beorly=Hope, Baldo=Genie, Prince=Sylvia, Mr. Larry=Jane, etc. Very successful. I was Baron Douglas. 200 guests. Talked in Sylvia’s room with Genie, etc till 2 a.m. Mabel Lewis is visiting Effie.

Wea. Fine. Sat. May 13, 1905

Geology exp. up Easthill Quarry. Tidied my room. Went to quills with “Bats”, Sophie & W???? and we sewed.

  

Biological Society in evening and spread at Frances Nisbets. 

Sunday [May] 14

In the house all day writing letters and studying Geology for exam.