What's Going on in this Picture? 1920s and 30s Edition
When you have 100 years of history (and 100 years of pictures to go with it!), there’s no shortage of fun memories and stories from the years gone by. Anyone who attended our Alumnae Reunion can attest that it’s easy to lose yourself flipping through the hundreds of archive pictures in our albums. They are a treasure trove!
And of course with that many pictures, there are bound to be some “what on earth is going on here?” moments! Greystone’s history is chock full of traditions and timeless camp fun, but also some wacky, hilarious, never-would-happen-today memories. So that’s what we’re diving into today! We’re breaking down some of the weirdest photos from our first two decades, and telling you the stories behind them. But of course, stories belong to the people who experience them, so if you remember one of these (or know exactly what’s going on!), make sure to let us know. Our history is a little crazy, but we’re going to tell it together!
Morning Calisthenics
This may look a little crazy, but the answer is actually pretty simple! Journals from girls in the ’20s recorded that every day started with calisthenics “setting up” exercises in a large field before raising the Flag. The perfect way to get the blood flowing before a big day at camp!
Pageant Court Productions
Yep, this is how the Pageant Court was named! When Greystone moved to Tuxedo in 1922, the property’s large cornfield was divided into an Archery Range and the Pageant Court, which was used as an outdoor stage for dancing and dramatic pageants. With its natural beauty, white hydrangeas, and close proximity to Lake Edith, the Pageant Court became the preferred open-air performance area.
The Aquaplane
In the 1930s, the expert swimmers skied on an aquaplane, a board pulled by a speedboat. Who thinks we need to bring this one back in 2021?
Playing on the Gunwales
The Canoeing program thrived in the 1930s with Virginia Sevier Hanna at the helm. Girls loved playing games on their canoes by balancing on the gunwales and bouncing each other up and down. They also raced in “Gunwale Wars” where one girl would balance on her boat and rock it back and forth to try to get through the finish line first.
Dr. Sevier and His Pets
Dr. Sevier’s love of animals is well documented, and he just happened to have a menagerie that matched at this moment!
Trips to the Biltmore Estate
Campers in the 1930s loved trips out of camp, but riding the bus to Biltmore was especially memorable! The campers dressed in their finest and walked through the history of the estate. It was such a fun change from the day to day camp routine.
A Trip to the SC State Line
And speaking of trips, Francis Irene Morris Koerne told us about this one at our 75th Anniversary: “I especially remember a trip just across the border into S.C. where we spent the night in our tents and sleeping bags. I loved to tell people I’d spent a night in S.C. but had never been in a building or town in the state!”
The first pool and a sandbox!
The left-hand photo was taken at Greystone’s first location in Tennessee. That small pool wouldn’t do the trick now, but it worked perfectly for that first summer. The only negative? It was freezing cold!
We didn’t know it until we saw the photo on the right, but apparently there used to be a sandbox by the Gazebo underneath the Castle. This is right up the hill from the Hostess Cabin, and you can see the Dining Hall in the background. Does anyone remember this fun addition?
Archery Tournaments
Perhaps taking a little Robin Hood inspiration, these getups were what campers donned for the early Archery tournaments in the 1920s!
Trips to Town
In the 1920s, transportation back and forth from town looked a little different! Loading up with your friends in the cart looks pretty fun, don’t you think? Also in that first decade, campers recorded in their journals that they enjoyed helping with the work of camp, even when that involved pitchforks and hay!
And of course, some mysteries remain. Any guesses on what’s going on here?
