Before 1970

This page documents Hampshire's history before 1970. Help Hampedia out by adding more information! Please cite anything you add.

Beginnings

 * Acquiring Land for the New College - Original land purchases: [[Media:Scan0005originallandpurchases.jpg]] [[Image:Groundbreaking.gif|frame|right|180px|Groundbreaking.gif]]
 * Naming the College
 * Naming the Buildings
 * The Planning and Beginning of Hampshire College by Bob Stiles
 * The House Plan at Hampshire College, by Robert C. Birney
 * The Human Development Program - example of an experimental curriculum planned and begun with high hopes in 1965-70, that did not succeed.

Admissions

 * This phonograph recording was sent to prospective students by Francis Smith and Van Halsey. A quote: “If anything is going to make Hampshire College different than or better than other institutions, it will be the willingness of the students to get involved. And the willingness of the faculty to get involved in their involvement.” Another quote: “[If you don't] dig the big conformity thing...” The full recording: [[Image:Hampshire College - Frank Smith & Van Halsey.mp3]]

Notable People

 * Winthrop "Toby" Dakin, one of the original trustees, wrote the Motto Memo
 * Ruth Hammen, the "Mother of the College," secretary to the first President
 * Harold F. Johnson, an Amherst College alumnus and financier who gave $6 million in 1965 to found Hampshire College
 * Franklin Patterson, the first president of Hampshire College
 * Bob Stiles, the "Father of the College," farmer who originally owned part of Hampshire's land and long-time Post Office employee
 * Andy Weneczek, farmer who originally owned part of Hampshire's land and Physical Plant employee

[[Image:Scan0001bulldozer.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Scan0001bulldozer.jpg]]1958 [[Image:Scan0004aerialview.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

 * The Committee for New College, appointed by the Presidents of the other four colleges in 1958, created the original plan for what was to become Hampshire College: The New College Plan

1960

 * the Committee for the New College published "Student Reactions to Study Facilities, with implications for architects and college administrators." Read it here.

1962

 * the Committee for New College published More Power To Them: a report of faculty and student experience in the encouragement of student initiative.

1965

 * The $6 million pledge by Harold F. Johnson in 1965 would make The New College Plan a reality. Planning by new Hampshire College faculty and administrators, as well as interested members of the Five College community, began immediately.

1966

 * On June 13, 14 and 15, 1966, the Officers of Hampshire College assembled the Hampshire College Conference, a small group of educators, artists, and intellectuals, at the Amherst College alumni House to discuss plans for the educational program.
 * Report of the Educational Advisory Committee to the President of Hampshire College
 * A (Student) Proposal for Hampshire College was included with the Educational Advisory Committee Report.
 * Some of the most important founding documents of Hampshire College are collected in the book The Making of a College, published by Franklin Patterson

[[Image:Scan0003firstsoil.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Scan0003firstsoil.jpg]]1968

 * September 24: Groundbreaking at Hampshire College

1969

 * Notes on Admissions (1969) written by Van R. Halsey
 * Notes on Law Study (1969) written by David E. Matz
 * Foreign Studies (1969) by Richard C. Lyon
 * April 18: Lois Bailey of Syracuse, New York, is the first student accepted to Hampshire College, and Jonathan Wright of Guilford, Connecticut, is second; they both applied early decision. [Memo to Liz Wheeler from Van Halsey: 4/28/69]