The Reverend John Edgar Park (1879-1956) became president in 1926. Wheaton’s growth and vitality during Park’s presidency is particularly noteworthy: student enrollment increased steadily and the building program begun by President Cole continued. J. Edgar Park retired in 1944 at… Read More »
1926 - 1944John Edgar Park
1926Everett Hall
Plans for this dormitory were drawn by Cram & Ferguson, and President Samuel Valentine Cole was seeking funding when he suddenly died in 1925. Acting President and Trustee Dr. George T. Smart brought Everett into being. At the building’s dedication… Read More »
1926John Livingston Lowes Speaks at Commencement
John Livingston Lowes, Professor of English at Harvard University, speaks at Commencement.
1926Amen-Gulley House
Purchased from Blanch Wood in 1926, 5 Howard Street is commonly thought to have been constructed by Laban Wheaton from two ells taken from different buildings he owned. The house was remodeled in 1929 and 1945 to house college workers.… Read More »
1926 - 1940Art Studio
The small wood-frame, barn-like structure was built by college carpenters in 1926 between the Doll’s House and Gymnasium. This fire hazard of a building had no heat or running water, making it inconvenient and unusable for several months of the… Read More »
1926 - 1935Edith M. White
Edith M. White was a Professor of Economics from 1926 to 1930 and Dean of Freshman from 1929 to 1935.
1927Dr. William Herbert Perry Faunce Speaks at Commencement
Dr. William Herbert Perry Faunce, President of Brown University, speaks at Commencement.
1927 - 1963Hodges House
Hodges House, originally called Wetherell House, was purchased from Thomas and Jessie T. Wetherell in 1927 for a faculty residence. After it was renovated, it was used for housing male workers, so it was sometimes called the “YMCA.” It was… Read More »
1928Pan and Pegasus Symbols Adopted
The Alumnae Council standardizes the class rings to the Pan and Pegasus designs.
1928Cornelia James Cannon Speaks at Commencement
Cornelia James Cannon speaks at commencement and is awarded an honorary degree.
1928Kathryn Newell Adams, Honorary Degree Recipient
Kathryn Newell Adams, president of Constantinople Woman’s College, is awarded an honorary degree.
1929Peacock Pond
A marsh was excavated and transformed into Peacock Pond, which, in its first years, was used for swimming, boating and skating. Seniors first successfully floated their candles on it in 1930. The Greek Metcalf Temple on the pond’s western shore… Read More »
1929Irving Babbitt Speaks at Commencement
Irving Babbitt, Professor at Harvard University, speaks at Commencement.
1929 - 1946Wheaton Limits Number of Jewish Students Enrolled
Though the College had long tracked the religious affiliation of applicants in some form or another, it did not become a deciding factor in admissions until the mid-1920s. In a 1926 letter to President Park, Edith White, Director of Admission,… Read More »
1930Mayo D. Hersey Speaks at Commencement
Mayo D. Hersey speaks at commencement.
1931Nursery School Founded
The Nursery School is founded by Professor of Psychology and Education Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler Amen.
1931 - 1995Oceans View
Acquired in 1931, the house was remodeled into a two-family residence in 1932, using many fixtures and lumber taken from the demolished portion of Old Metcalf Hall. A porch was added in 1935. The barn was renovated into a practice,… Read More »
1931Marjorie Hope Nicolson Speaks at Commencement
Marjorie Hope Nicolson, Dean of Smith College, speaks at Commencement.
1931Alumni Guest House
Built in 1931 entirely by college workmen under the direction of Mr. Cutler in cooperation with the Education and Psychology Departments, the Nursery School cost $10,400. The Nursery School was enlarged in 1937, when a one-way vision observation screen was… Read More »
1931 - 1989Dr. Ernest John Knapton
Member of the history department from 1931 to 1969, and Professor Emeritus from 1969 to 1989, Dr. Knapton was educated at the University of British Columbia, Oxford University (where he was a Rhodes Scholar) and Harvard University.