February
21, 2003 South
Hadley and MHC:
A History of Mutual Support
| 
Photo: Courtesy of MHC archives and special
collections
The
College's Seminary Building (right) with the old Williston
Library attached |
by Margaret Toguchi
'05
The 250th anniversary
of the founding of South Hadley seems an appropriate moment to
pause and look back at the close relationship that has long existed
between the town and Mount Holyoke College. The history of South
Hadley and its patronage of MHC reveals a deep connection that
continues to evolve today. Over the years, South Hadley residents
have supported the growth and establishment of the nation's
first women's college, and residents have seen MHC change
since its inception in 1837.
The College has played
a prominent role in town history. In fact, South Hadley and the
College have been neighbors who have helped each other through
difficult times. Both communities have also shared in their respective
successes. This relationship of mutual support has been based
on a sense of cooperation that grew out of MHC's founding.
Money raised by MHC founder Mary Lyon and her followers was provided
in large part by local residents. Before the establishment of
Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1837, Mary Lyon sought financial
and moral support for her school from wealthy and elite individuals.
However, these few individuals did not donate to Lyon's
venture. Instead, local residents stepped forward to help realize
her vision of providing accessible education for women. Residents
of towns in the Pioneer Valley thus helped her found the institution.
Each of the towns surrounding South Hadley wanted to have the
College within its borders.
Lyon decided to locate the school in the town that offered the
greatest financial support. She and her followers went door-to-door,
raising funds and gathering support for the establishment of MHC.
The primary concern for Lyon was creating an educational institution
for women of ordinary means. Turning to local residents made sense.
The College emerged out of grassroots efforts and has ever since
relied on a common sense of caring in its relations with the town.
"There has been cooperation of all sorts along all lines,”
says South Hadley's historian Irene K. Cronin '43,
herself an example of the MHC/town cross fertilization.
Reaction to the 1896 fire that destroyed the Seminary Building
is an example of this shared concern. As a result, many students
were left without a place to live, so town residents offered their
homes to house students until new buildings were constructed.
At the time, the institution was on its way to obtaining a charter
to be officially recognized as a college. Support from local residents
was crucial for the College in bouncing back and moving on from
the loss of its main building.
Individuals from South Hadley have also had prominent roles in
keeping the College afloat through other losses. For example,
prominent South Hadley resident Joseph Skinner and his family
helped to fund the expansion of College facilities through the
construction of Skinner Hall in 1924. A 1917 fire that destroyed
Williston Hall had created crowding at Mount Holyoke, and the
new building provided much-needed space.
Skinner, an industrialist who had operations in nearby Holyoke,
also gave rides to students he saw walking during the winter months.
Before widespread use of motorized vehicles, students relied more
on the town for services. According to Cronin, "Back in
the old days [students and residents] got to know each other more
because there were no cars, no way to leave town.” The lack
of transportation encouraged students to participate more actively
in town events.
| 
Photo: Fred LeBlanc
Margaret
Toguchi '05 chats with South Hadley historian Irene
K. Cronin '43. |
Both communities have
also had the advantage of sharing resources and providing avenues
for growth and development. Today, town residents enjoy cultural
events and courses offered at MHC. Prominent visitors to the College
have also provided the town with exposure to different views and
attitudes. Included among the countless visitors have been Eleanor
Roosevelt and Charles Evans Hughes. More recent political figures,
such as former national security adviser and MHC faculty member
Anthony Lake and Jordan's Queen Noor, have added to the
discussion on how to face global terrorism.
The town has also benefited from having MHC facilities as a resource
for recreational and ceremonial purposes. South Hadley High School
has held its senior graduations at Gettell Amphitheater. When
the school's fields were closed for improvements in 2001,
the field hockey team practiced and played its games at MHC. The
College has also held basketball camps for South Hadley middle
school girls. South Hadley senior citizens enjoy fitness swims
at the College pool.
Mount Holyoke students also benefit from their involvement with
South Hadley residents, particularly through teaching practicums
in the South Hadley schools and internships. The practicums, crucial
for MHC students who plan careers in teaching, are also helpful
to South Hadley teachers and students.
The recent 250th Anniversary Gala held in Chapin Auditorium showcased
the long-standing connection between South Hadley and MHC. The
College offered space and services for the celebration and also
participated in the planning of the festivities. On the night
of the big event, which kicked off a yearlong celebration of the
town's anniversary, members of the College community and
townspeople came together for an evening of music and dancing—representatives
of town and gown sharing in the celebration of a history that
continues to bind them.
The
counter is
1,237
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