History & Exhibits
Creating Community: Simmons College Residence Life, 1902-1965
Residence life has long been an integral part of the Simmons experience. Throughout the early twentieth century, Simmons accommodated residential students in houses and dormitories on the Residence campus, as well as in houses and apartments in Brookline and around the Fenway.
At first most students were commuters, but as the years passed, more chose to live on campus and larger dormitories were built. To both protect students, and reassure parents, Simmons maintained a strict code of student conduct. Students enjoyed a wide variety of activities on campus, ranging from afternoon teas to participation in dormitory governance to many annual, traditional events.
By the mid-1960s, social change led to greater freedom for Simmons students, who began to participate in more activities away from campus.
This exhibit captures the spirit of dormitory life at Simmons during its first six decades, highlighting the intersection of education, tradition and camaraderie that created the bonds of community and life-long friendship.
"Creating Community: Simmons College Residence Life, 1902-1965," curated by Meagan Doyle and Stephanie Satalino, College Archives Assistants, is currently on exhibit in the Lobby of Beatley Library.
News from the Archives
Women Leaders Library Display
In honor of "Brave Women, Bold Ideas, Big Change," the Committee of 200's conference being held at Simmons on Tuesday, the College Library has prepared several exhibits celebrating women leaders and entrepreneurs. Just inside the Library's entrance, books about women...
History of Convocation Exhibit at the College Archives
The Convocation ceremony at Simmons College has traditionally served as the official welcoming of students and faculty into the new academic year. Simmons Convocation began as a dedication to the College's founder, John Simmons. In honor of this year's Convocation...
College Archives Display of Early Children's Books
The College Archives invites the Simmons Community to visit a display of selections from the Archives' collection of historical children's books. Books by Lewis Carroll, Louise May Alcott, Beatrix Potter, and others--many dating back to the 1800s--are prominently featured, as...
College Archives Display of Historic Simmons Spring
The College Archives invites the Simmons Community to Think Spring and learn more about some of the College's most fun annual events! The Archives has prepared an exhibit--complete with vintage photographs--on the history of Spring Spree and the Simmons Cup...
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Beatley Library:
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