Conococheague (1895 - 1934): Wisdom for Athletic Ladies

The Conococheague, the Wilson College for Women’s yearbook, began in 1895 with the purpose of describing the “world of Wilson” as it was—the duties, pleasures and growing successes of students. “The aim of the college is to train minds, souls and bodies of our students,” according to the 1896 edition of the Conococheague. The college does not claim to teach “all knowledge,” but endeavors to “open the door into the great library of the world’s wisdom.”

Published annually by the junior class, the Conococheague offered its students a place to reflect upon their feelings, college events, challenging classes and how they grew from the college experience. Early editions did not include class pictures, only lists of names.

The Class of 1896’s class yell offers an early depiction of school spirit: “Hippity, zippity, he, hi, hix! Wilson, Wilson ’96!”

The banjo club, the bicycle club and the basketball club are examples of extracurricular activities in which Wilson women of the late 19th century participated, according to yearbooks from that time.

In 1921, each student’s “statistics” were listed in the yearbook. These statistics included the woman’s name, chief characteristic (“her coiffure, lateness, giggling,” etc.), main interest (“growing hair, reading the New York Sun”), philosophy (i.e., “take things easily”), favorite expression (“I’d like to choke you”, “the sooner the quicker”), and future plans (“cabaret dancer, keeper of telescopes, dramatic reader, section boss”).

In 1934, glossy photos of each student appeared. This edition of the Conocoheague was dedicated as a “tribute to our parents.”

--Janet Gardner