Incredible Photos Show How College Dorm Life Has Changed in the U.S Over 100 Years
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s archives department has put together a collection of photos showing how student housing in the US has changed over the past 110 years.
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| This woman’s dorm room from 1898 isn’t much different from modern day dorms: Pennants, books, and a chair for studying. |
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| Photographs and mementos kept things homey in this room, 1899. |
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| A dorm room in old Chadbourne Hall, ca. 1899. |
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| Male students raised a glass in a boarding house or fraternity, 1909. |
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| Male students room in boarding house or fraternity, 1909. |
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| Man sitting in boarding house or fraternity house room reading. Pinups and other decorations on south wall, 1912. |
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| Young student sleeping in a men's boarding house or fraternity house room, ca. 1912. |
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| 1912-1913. |
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| An ad for a room in 1927 noted perks like running water, a phone, and an iron. |
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| This single dorm room from the 1930s appeared to be filled with souvenirs from exotic adventures. |
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| Students studied on bunk beds in this barracks-style dorm, ca. 1945. |
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| Single men's living quarters, bunks and linens furnished, rent $13/person/month, No smoking. ca. 1945. |
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| The university had separate housing for married students and families, ca. 1946. |
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| Students studied around a communal table, ca. 1950s. |
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| Just a bunch of guys hanging out, eating melon, ca. 1950s. |
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| A record party with Elizabeth Waters Hall residents, ca. 1950s. |
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| Two women in room in Holt Dormitory, 1950s. |
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| A guy studying in dorm room, ca. 1950s. |
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| Two women sitting in mock-up dorm room in Chadbourne Hall, ca. 1950s. |
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| Man playing guitar by Christmas tree while two others listen/sing; pictures of Russian buildings on window and Russian text reading "Merry Christmas," December 1958. |
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| Student dormatory room, ca. 1960s. |
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| Residence hall room., 1963. |
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| Married student housing, ca. 1960s. |
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| Students playing foosball by Budweiser sign, ca. 1970s. |
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| Double room, ca. 1970s. |
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| Double room, ca. 1970s. |
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| Single room, complete with a lofted bed, hanging chair, and dreamcatcher, ca. 1970s. |
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| Single room, ca. 1970s. |
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| Two women talking in dorm room in Ogg East, ca. 1970s. |
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| Triple Room, ca. 1970s. |
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| Student "bar" in dorm room, ca. 1970-1980. |
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| TVs started appearing in dorm rooms, distracting students everywhere, 1983. |
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| Students in dorm room, ca. 1980s. |
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| ca. 1980s |
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| Residence Hall room, 1986. |
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| A dorm room in 1987. |
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| Students studying in their residence hall den, May 1996. |
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| Residents in Slichter Hall playing Cranium, 2005. |
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| Man and woman chat in dorm room in Sellery Hall, 2008. |