Ruth Hesselgrave '18
Case 1 - Contents Below
Ruth Hesselgrave was born in Sidney, New York in 1897 and attended Middlebury from 1914-1918. Her time in college overlapped entirely with World War I. Ruth was an active participant in Middlebury’s social life as a member of the German Club, Suffrage Study Club, the Young Women’s Christian Program, Alpha Zeta of Alpha Chi, and The Middlebury Campus. Ruth also earned Phi Beta Kappa honors. At first glance, Ruth’s active social life seems to indicate a Middlebury experience unaffected by the reaches of war, but in reality, the war deeply impacted her life.
Kaleidoscope Photograph
Middlebury, 1919
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
Middlebury, 1919
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
Reunion Photograph
Middlebury, 1978
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This photograph of Ruth at age 81 is from her 60th reunion, when she was awarded the Outstanding Alumni award.
Middlebury, 1978
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This photograph of Ruth at age 81 is from her 60th reunion, when she was awarded the Outstanding Alumni award.
Case 2 - Contents Below
Ruth was a member of the War Service Committee, an organization that corresponded with created care packages for Middlebury students and alumni in active military service. Ruth’s father, Charles E. Hesselgrave, Middlebury class of 1893, served in France during the war, further deepening her personal connection to the conflict. Ruth's life exemplifies how students at Middlebury were not only engaged in their studies and college experience, but also deeply affected by World War I. Ruth stayed connected to Middlebury after her graduation.
"Rules for Freshman"
Ruth Hesslegrave's Scrapbook, 1915
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This poster, scanned from Ruth’s scrapbook, details a set of rules for first year students at Middlebury, including criteria for interacting with upperclassmen, clothes to wear, and forbidden behaviors on campus. The paper was likely a memento she collected during her first year at Middlebury. This poster reinforces a notion of class lines that was clearly apparent at Middlebury at the time and shows the ways in which campus culture seemed to remain untouched by war.
Ruth Hesslegrave's Scrapbook, 1915
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This poster, scanned from Ruth’s scrapbook, details a set of rules for first year students at Middlebury, including criteria for interacting with upperclassmen, clothes to wear, and forbidden behaviors on campus. The paper was likely a memento she collected during her first year at Middlebury. This poster reinforces a notion of class lines that was clearly apparent at Middlebury at the time and shows the ways in which campus culture seemed to remain untouched by war.
"Craigie '17 and Dot Brown '18 Hobgoblins"
Ruth Hesselgrave's Scrapbook, 1915
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury
This photograph is from a student production of The Tempest.
Ruth Hesselgrave's Scrapbook, 1915
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury
This photograph is from a student production of The Tempest.
Case 3 - Contents Below
After receiving her Masters degree from Yale University and teaching in Connecticut, Ruth returned to Middlebury in 1958 and served as the College librarian for 13 years. Ruth's cose connection to Middlbeury continued even after her passing. She donated many of the materials displayed in this exhibition to the college and even gifted her home. Located at 123 South Main Street, Ruth's home is now knows as Hesselgrave House. Viewing Ruth's story in conjunction with other narratives in this exhibition clarifies how the Middlebury College community was impacted by World War I and that someone could be both here and there.
Military Science Exercise
Middlebury, 1918
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
Middlebury, 1918
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
Telegram from Charles E. Hesselgrave
Western Union Telegram
Ruth Hesselgrave's Scrapbook, 1918
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This telegram, sent from Ruth’s father in Paris, congratulates Ruth on her graduation. Her minister father was stationed in France, where he likely served the war effort in a religious capacity.
Western Union Telegram
Ruth Hesselgrave's Scrapbook, 1918
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This telegram, sent from Ruth’s father in Paris, congratulates Ruth on her graduation. Her minister father was stationed in France, where he likely served the war effort in a religious capacity.
"Headquarters Company"
From the Middlebury College Bulletin: The Student Army Training Corps at Middlebury
1918
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
The Students' Army Training Corps (S.A.T.C.) of Middlebury was established October 1, 1918 under the auspices of the United States War Department's Committee on Education and Special Training. Through the U.S. Army, the Training Corps provided enlisted students with tuition, room and board, and full soldiers' pay ($30 monthly). Over 300 students enlisted in the S.A.T.C at Middlebury, forming two companies of student-soldiers. The school environment thus changed significantly, with the addition of military courses to the course catalog and drills on campus.
From the Middlebury College Bulletin: The Student Army Training Corps at Middlebury
1918
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
The Students' Army Training Corps (S.A.T.C.) of Middlebury was established October 1, 1918 under the auspices of the United States War Department's Committee on Education and Special Training. Through the U.S. Army, the Training Corps provided enlisted students with tuition, room and board, and full soldiers' pay ($30 monthly). Over 300 students enlisted in the S.A.T.C at Middlebury, forming two companies of student-soldiers. The school environment thus changed significantly, with the addition of military courses to the course catalog and drills on campus.
"For the Benefit of the Belgian Sufferers"
Ruth Hesselgrave's Scrapbook, 1914
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This pamphlet is an invitation to a fundraising event for the Belgian victims of World War I. Given Belgium’s neutrality, its invasion and destruction led to widespread condemnation of German “barbarity.” From 1914 through the 1920s, “martyred” Belgium remained a focus of American humanitarian aid efforts. Current students will note the location of the event, McCullough Gymnasium, as a space still used for large events
Ruth Hesselgrave's Scrapbook, 1914
Special Collections & Archives, Middlebury College
This pamphlet is an invitation to a fundraising event for the Belgian victims of World War I. Given Belgium’s neutrality, its invasion and destruction led to widespread condemnation of German “barbarity.” From 1914 through the 1920s, “martyred” Belgium remained a focus of American humanitarian aid efforts. Current students will note the location of the event, McCullough Gymnasium, as a space still used for large events
Click here to view what a week in the life of Ruth Hesselgrave might look like.