Class of 1915 photo album
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 260
Scope and Contents
The Class of 1915 photo album (1912-1915; 0.10 cubic feet) documents class activities and Greek events of the Class of 1915, including the Tank Scrap and Greek house parties. Photographs of campus scenery and buildings are included (Fowler Hall, Physics Building). Of particular interest may be the documentation of the 1913 flood in the Lafayette area. Some of the photographs identify class members through hand-written notes on photographs and captions. The album is believed to have been assembled by Herbert S. O’Brien, class president and captain of the football team, as he is identified in most photographs and signed an inscription at the first page of the photo album. Several unidentified individuals appear, some of whom are in Purdue sports attire. The collection consists of one photo album in fragile conditions with some loose photographs and pages. The collection may be useful for researchers interested in student and campus life during the World War I era, university Greek life at that time, or material culture of the early 20th century. Types of materials include: black and white photos, photo album, 2 newspaper clippings.
Dates
- 1912 - 1939
- Majority of material found within 1912 - 1915
Access Information
Collection is open for research.
Copyright and Use Information
Copyright held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.
Biographical Information
The Class of 1915 had 340 graduating seniors out of 615 freshmen that started in 1911. They were the largest freshman class to be admitted to Purdue up to this point. They won the Tank Scrap their freshman and sophomore years. Mechanics Burning and the Tank Scrap were abolished in their junior year. The flood of 1913 affected the class during their sophomore year.
H. S. O’Brien was a native of Wabash, Indiana and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was active in the Varsity “P” Club, the Harlequin Club, Battery “B,” and the P. A. A. Student council. In his senior year, he was the president of the Student Council as well as one of the Senior “P” Men and Senior Numeral Men. Besides playing football since his freshman year, he also led the team as the Captain in his senior year.
H. S. O’Brien was a native of Wabash, Indiana and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was active in the Varsity “P” Club, the Harlequin Club, Battery “B,” and the P. A. A. Student council. In his senior year, he was the president of the Student Council as well as one of the Senior “P” Men and Senior Numeral Men. Besides playing football since his freshman year, he also led the team as the Captain in his senior year.
Source: Purdue University Debris 1915
Extent
0.349 Cubic Feet (One flat box)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Description
One bound leather book in fragile condition with a few loose photographs.
Processing Information
Original order of the materials has been retained. Loose items have been placed in polyester sleeves. The original album is fragile, but additional action may harm it further. Extra care should be used when viewing this item.
- Black-and-white photographs
- Civil engineering
- Greek letter societies
- Greek letter societies -- Indiana -- West Lafayette
- O'Brien, Herbert Sheldon, 1893-1982
- Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
- Photograph albums
- Purdue University -- Students -- Social life and customs -- 20th Century
- Purdue University -- Buildings
- Purdue University -- Sports
- Purdue University. Class of 1915
- Purdue University. Class of 1915
- Student activities
- Tank Scrap (Purdue University)
- Title
- Class of 1915 photo album
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jennifer Sdunzik, Keertana Marella, and Amelia Simpson
- Date
- 2024-07-10
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- Third edition. Collection description was first completed 2017-10-03 and later updated in 2020-04-29.
Revision Statements
- 2020-04-29: Collection description updated by Keertana Marella
- 2024-07-10: MSA 404, Class of 1915 collection, was added to the Related Materials note. Also added were “Class of 1915” subject and agent records.
Repository Details
Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu