During
the late 19th and 20th century, the prevailing
mood of women’s colleges was one of
awakening and ambition. Women felt empowered,
had a clear image of their identity and were
ready to compete with men’s liberal
arts colleges for recognition (8).
As a result, the Collegiate Gothic style
became the popular architectural choice for
women’s college campuses in the early
1920s and 30’s, which spoke of a powerful
testimonial, connecting them with the oldest
focal point of learning in England.
“Under
M. Carey Thomas, the first feminist to gain
control over a woman’s college, Bryn
Mawr became the innovator of curriculum and
campus design” (9). She was
extremely influential in associating women’s
colleges with the tradition of Anglo-Saxon
education and its expression in architecture.
Her foresight embraced the “new” Collegiate
Gothic architecture, including Jacobean design,
which had formerly been reserved for co-educational
and men’s colleges and universities.
Philadelphia
Quaker architects, Walter Cope and John Stewardson
shared Thomas’s enthusiasm for just
the right architectural designs for the campus
and, together, they enjoyed a mutually rewarding
working relationship. So close was her collaboration
with the architects, Cary Thomas “always
guided and, at times, fully outlined the
plan.” (10). Cope & Stewardson
reached their mature architectural style
in their design of the double dormitory,
Pembroke East and West on Bryn Mawr’s
campus.
By
creating this landmark decision at Bryn Mawr
College, President Thomas pointed women’s
colleges toward the mainstream of collegiate
architecture
in America, previously associated with men’s colleges. In
addition, she was an advocate in determining
the character
of many college campuses across the country.
Following
in Bryn Mawr's footsteps, Mount Holyoke College's
ambitious building program
was a result of President Mary E. Woolley's
foresight. She played a valuable role toward
the advancement of designs that would provide
the campus
with a more Gothic look, similar
to that of the all-male Ivy League colleges.
For More Information
on Mary Woolley, Click Here
Home
Page
The
History of Gothic Architecture:
Cambridge
and Princeton
About Ralph Cram
A Time of Transition:
Bryn
Mawr
Mary E.
Woolley
Frederick
Olmsted Jr.
The Envisioned Plan:
Program for
Campus Development
Designs
for the Library and Chapel
Shurtleff
and Cram Present Their Ideas
The Implemented Plan:
Meetings
and Discussions
Collens'
Library Designs(Exterior)
Collens'
Library Designs (Interior)
Bertha
Blakely's Influence
Abbey Memorial
Chapel
Charles Collens
Dedication Speech and closing comments
Trivial Pursuit
Question
References
