Letters, Freshman Year Semester I, 1917 December-1918 January

These letters would be useful to researchers interested in the topics of illness, the home front during World War I, and jazz dancing. Henrietta often mentions how she feels “off” and discusses the extensive amount of people during the semester who were taken to the college infirmary. Many of these patients reportedly had measles and tonsillitis, and Henrietta even mentions one girl being taken to Bryn Mawr Hospital for a burst appendix. She writes to her mother that she is lucky she has already had her tonsils and appendix removed.

Henrietta mentions more fundraising opportunities for the war, and discusses the enlisted men she’s met this semester. She receives a letter from her cousin Carl in which he explains how he’s sorry he couldn’t say goodbye before leaving for Camp Meade in Maryland (said letter is enclosed). Henrietta has a plan to send her one of her enlisted admirers, Sheldon, a picture of her face pasted over the queen’s face on a playing card. In a letter written by Maria to Henrietta’s Mother, in place of Henrietta’s usual letter, Maria expresses how the college wishes for freshman to raise $2,085 for the Service Corps. She remarks how “I don’t see how we can even do it, but we have it to do”. A fan of taking part in social events at the college, Henrietta describes enjoying her time attending the Jazz dances that take place in Pembroke East, the proceeds of which went to the Red Cross.

Researchers should note that Letter 66 does not have a date. However, from the context of the letter, the date can be inferred to be January 21st, or thereabouts.