Emerson College - Emersonian Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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20 T he Emersonian .«» «» »- ment of the students sojourn in Boston and do much to bring the student and college into closer touch. Chickering Hall, the home of Emerson College, is located in the beautiful Back Bay district, and is surrounded by every influence that makes for progress in the life of an in- stitution of learning and art. Within a block of the College we find the New England Conservatory of Music, the foremost musical institution in America. Through an alliance with the Conservatory the general courses, the lectures, and valuable reference library are open as freely to Emerson students as to the Conservatory pupils. Symphony Hall, the home of the celebrated Symphony Orchestra, is just across the Avenue from the College. Besides the weekly Symphony productions, many operatic singers and musical societies present programmes here, and an opportunity is thus provided to hear and appreciate the world’s greatest music. The beautiful new Christian Science Church is directly in the rear of the College and the new Horticultural Hall is close at hand. Within five minutes’ walk of the College are the Fens. This Fenway consists of a park way system extending from Back Bay district of Boston to Brookline. Emerson stu- dents appreciate the natural beauty of the Fenway, and almost any day a score or more Emersonians may be seen enjoying long walks in this delightful section of Boston. Look- ing across the Fens, we note the “New Harvard Medical School,” “Tufts Dental Col- lege,” “ New Normal School,” “.Simmons College,” “Museum of Fine Arts” and Mrs. Jack Gardner’s Italian Palace. Taking an eight-minutes’ walk in a northerly direction from the College, we arrive at i i ir — » ir — ir — a r 1 .0 0 i 0

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T h e E id e r s o n i a 11 19 + - ■ «» ft «» % O field Streets. Here it was incorporated as the “Monr-oe College of Oratory.” As a result of a petition to Legislature for a change of name, the Institution became known as the “Emerson College of Oratory” on Feb. 14, 1890. By the following year even Wesleyan Hall was inadequate to its growing needs. Ampler space was accordingly sought and found in Odd Fellows’ Hall, corner of Berkley and Tremont Streets. In 1889, Henry L Southwick, present dean of the college — resigned his position as Master of Elocution and Oratory in the William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, to become Prof, of Oratorio and Dramatic Delivery at Emerson College and also partner and joint proprietor with its former principal and then president, Charles Wesley Emerson. In the following year President Emerson sold his interest and rights to Henry L. Southwick, Jessie L. Southwick and William H. Kenny. President and Mrs. Emerson remained in the College, however, until President Emerson’s failing health compelled his retirement from all teaching and public work. In 1901 the college removed from the south side of the city to its present home in Chickering Hall. From the time the new management undertook the responsibilities of administra- tion, the teaching staff has been increased from eighteen to thirty-two members, the Ora- torio, Dramatic, Pedagogic and Literature Departments have been greatly strengthened. A new department of Platform Art has been established and free private lessons included as a regular part of the curriculum. In 1905 Emerson College sent out 42 teachers; In 1906 46 teachers and many graduates are engaged in successful Lyceum and Platform work. Lender the management of Mrs. Southwick the Emerson College Dormitories were recently established. The social advantages of these college residences add greatly to the enjoy-

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T he E in e r s o n i a n 21 Copley vSquare, with its treasures of literature and art. On our left stands the Boston Pub- lic Library and the “New Old South Church,” and just across the Square the “Boston Museum of Fine Arts” and Trinity Church, the finest ecclesiastical building in New England.