The Omnibus College

In 1922, professor William Marion Goldsmith of Fairmont College took four of his students on a road trip as part of an extended study program. The next year Goldsmith bought a bus and was approached by co-ed Martha Foster who wanted to join the program, and the omnibus college was born. In 1926, Fairmont College became The Municipal College of Wichita of Kansas and the omnibus program expanded to hundreds of students. By 1934 over 85% of the omnibus students were women. Traveling with teachers, drivers, support staff and chaperons, the women travelled over North America studying and earning college credits in their chosen field. Botany students collected plants along the road, geology students chipped rocks, journalism students wrote about their trips. This trip must have been for history students. The third photo in the collection is labeled "Pittsburg Landing." Pittsburg Landing, also known as the battle of Shiloh, took place in April of 1862. The picture of the ladies standing around the tables is labeled, "K. P. detail at Chattanooga." In front of the tent, "Louise S." Note the black cooks in the first picture.

Women of the Theater

This photo was very likely cut out from a bigger print. While it's possible that this might have been from a costume party, I think it's far more certain that it's a photo from a theatrical production at an all girls school or a woman's college. On age, my guess would be from the late nineteenth century or early twentieth. The seller told me that it was from an estate in Maine.

The Ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha

The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority was founded on October 15, 1898 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, VA, now Longwood University. It's motto is "Seek the Noblest." The figures I found were that there are now 240 chapters with 187,000 active members. Famous Zetas include presidential daughters, Susan Ford, and Lynda Johnson, Marine Brigadier General Margaret Brewster, broadcaster Faith Daniels, and actress, dancer Betty Buckley. Written on the back of the photo signed, "Oodles of love, Lois," "Lois Agnes Burger, Light hair, grey eyes, height-almost 5 ft. weight-105 lbs. Freshman at Ohio U. Athens, Ohio. 1020 McCarter Ave., Erie, Pennsylvania." The picture of the man came with the other photos, and even though he's not a sorority sister, I've kept it with the others. Written on the back, "Which one is the dog? Taken in front of our house. October 21, 1934." It's the only date listed on any of the photos, but it's impossible to tell if it was taken when the Zeta photos were taken, or if the house referenced is the sorority house or a private home.