Core Assignment 2 - Megan Davis

https://wp.stolaf.edu/archives/as-it-was-in-the-beginning/chapter-vii-in-and-out-among-the-trees/

St. Olaf College's historical records indicate that Norwegian traditions were often used to celebrate events such as Thanksgiving and presidents' birthdays. These were used to "retain what was good in their Norwegian inheritance that America might be the richer thereby". Such banquets were noted to be comparable to the Norwegian Suppers held by St. John's.

One thing that sticks out to me is the inclusion of the menus from two separate events, the sorority banquet and a “Norwegian supper” (the latter of which was also hosted by St. John’s Church). It is possible Gladys is unused to the food served at these events and wants to remember that specifically. Based on the fact that her name is Bjornson, she may be of Norwegian descent, but that doesn’t mean she’s ever had Norwegian food before. Or, perhaps, if she has, the inclusion of the Norwegian Supper menu could be a token of her heritage to show people reading through her scrapbook.

It is unclear who the man in the diamond-shaped photo is, but he must have been important to Gladys, either as a figure tied to one of these events, or someone close to her. Perhaps he was her date, or an escorting professor. She places him alone in a ceremonial frame.

https://wp.stolaf.edu/archives/quarter-centennial-souvenir-1874-1899/college-organizations/

The spread focuses on highlighted events that seem to be hosted by clubs Gladys was involved in, one being a sorority, Alpha Beta Chi. ABX, as it was commonly known, was a continuation of the early St. Olaf Literary Society. The group focused on practice in public speaking, debates, and more, and early participants were well recognised for their enthusiasm. Clearly, Alpha Beta Chi was very important to Gladys. I can imagine, based on the highlighted events, that she was proud and excited to be a part of something formal that furthered her academic career. She specifically highlighted events such as the sorority banquet and other events hosted by St. John Parlors. It is possible she felt connected to this place or it evoked the feeling of being special to attend these events.

The banquet occurred in 1922, Gladys’ sophomore year, and her first year with Alpha Beta Chi, according to her membership request on a previous page. This nameplate is placed alongside the other mementos from her time with ABX, which makes it seem more likely the pieces are connected.

The crepe paper cutouts may be nameplates from the banquet, which would go along with the concept of most of the invitations and mementos being handwritten. If this is the case, Gladys likely kept these items as proof she was there and had a place among the sorority.

II find it interesting how many, albeit still only a few, notices for special events Gladys includes in her scrapbook. If formal events were commonplace for young students at the time (Gladys was a sophomore at the time of these events), we can continue with the assumption that she was documenting her daily life. However, if they were rarer, as formal events are today, they were clearly very special to her. I think the only similar events we have offered for students today are the annual President's Ball, and the Harry Potter-themed night in the cafeteria over Halloween. Certainly we don't have many banquets led by student groups, or really many opportunities for formal events at all.

One thing I've learned about the history of scrapbooking through Gladys' scrapbook is how different my perception of scrapbooking is today. While I think of scrapbooking as the inclusion of primarily photographs and craft add-ons, Gladys goes to great lenghts to document her personal experiences in a perfect time capsule of what life was like as a St. Olaf student in the 1920s. She includes invitations to events - which we rarely receive now in the digital age - menus, and personal artwork, such as her Cherub crepe paper drawing here and the bluebirds on other pages. If I were to make a scrapbook today, I don't think mine would seem nearly as detailed or meaningful to future students as hers does, but maybe I should aspire to document my college life better!

The letter page is also watermarked with a “Cranes” stamp, which gives us a glimpse into how paper was distributed, bought, and used at the time. Kristell, an employee with the library archives, noted that it may have been pre-cut.

I would like to take special note of the sample stationary included on this page, going along with the rest of the ABX mementos. While other invitations and letters in the scrapbook are filled with handwritten notes, the envelope and enclosed letter on this page remain blank. I believe this was Gladys’ way of documenting the official stationary used by Alpha Beta Chi at this time, as well as stationary connected to St. Olaf through the depiction of Ole the lion.

https://wp.stolaf.edu/archives/manitou-analecta/our-college-songs/

This fold-out is a small, handmade program featuring a photo-like sketch labelled "The Bachelors Entertain". However, what I would like to focus on here is the seal of St. Olaf College. Within the seal are the words "Christmen, Crossmen, Fram! Fram! Fram!" These words come from our spirit song Fram! Fram! St. Olaf. While this song is an important part of our history, it is one that is no longer featured prominently around our campus, and often we might not think of it until we're singing it once a year at Opening Convocation. The fact that it used to be featured in our official seal is a testament to how important it must have been in the past.

I had trouble reading and understanding what was on this fold-out page at first, but after learning about the history and purpose of Alpha Beta Chi, I believe it could be one of their literary practice assignments or something similar. It is written in short, stanza-like lines and is also annotated in a few places. It's marked in ink with the ABX symbols. The fact that it's also marked "Banquet" makes me wonder if it had a special use at the ABX banquets, especially given where it's placed in relation to the other items on the page. Perhaps it was something to be read aloud at such events.

Because most of these photos did not make it out of their designated pages, however, I think the photos depicted in this spread are all the more special, particularly this group shot. This is another example of evidence Gladys kept to memorialise her presence at an event. It's likely this photo, which she could very well be depicted in, was taken professionally at one of the ABX banquets or a similar formal event.

Most of the photographs that Gladys included in her sketchbook were condensed to a mere few pages, some of which were labelled with pre-printed captions such as "My Graduation Days" - Photographs "Those-of-my-friends" "and-my-own". Many of those photos were group shots of people with whom Gladys must have been close, as well as formal club or event photos.