Founders Day

French was the first president of Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1864-1866. An attorney and farmer from New Hampshire, he had been known for his interests in progressive agriculture. He was also the father of the sculptor Daniel Chester French. 1911 photo.

William Smith Clark, third president of Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1867-1879.

Levi Stockbridge was one of the original four faculty members, farm superintendant and later president of Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1880-1882. He was a farmer from Hadley and a state representative. Along with William Smith Clark, he was influential in the decision to locate the new college in Amherst.

Major Alvord, a Civil War veteran, arrived at Massachusetts Agricultural College to teach Military Science in 1869.

Goodell was pesident of Massachusetts Agricultual College from 1884 to 1905. He had filled many roles at the College beforehand, including professor of French and English Literature, leader in gymnastics and military drill, dormitory supervisor, director of the Hatch Experiment Station, state representative from the Fourth Hampshire District, librarian (his real passion), faculty secretary, and president.

First professor of Chemistry at Massachusetts Agricultural College, the German-born Charles "Dutchy" Goessman was the fifth faculty member to join the new institution, in 1869.

Hugh Potter Baker was the only president of Massachusetts State College, the name the institution held from 1931 to 1947 when it was renamed the University of Massachusetts.

Helen Cole Curtis followed Edna Skinner as the second Dean of Women, beginning in 1946.

The first students, the Class of 1871, known as the "Pioneer Class" entered Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1869.

Date unknown, probably late 19th century.

Photo from early in the first decade of the 20th century.

Photo fom 1873-1877.

The College's crew team unexpectedly won the 1871 Regatta on the Connecticut River, beating much more well-known Brown and Harvard Universities.

The College's first marching band.

Draper Hall, built in 1905, was both the first dining hall and on the upper floors had the first dormitory rooms for women students.

The Old Chapel was also the campus' first library. Prior to its building, Massachusetts Agricultural College students had used the library at Amherst College.