Evolution of a Campus Tradition
Sophomore students serenade the seniors, signaling the start of the annual May Day celebration, ca. 1940.
As with most traditions, it has seen many iterations and held different meaning for the student body throughout its 100+ years history. Students led the charge for holding the May Day celebration back in 1912 to celebrate the renewal of season and to honor fellow students in the senior class about to embark on a new journey in a matter of weeks - life after commencement. Later students would add and reshape the celebration so at times the celebration included performing a short skit and a tree planting ceremony, which continues through to today.
May Day is often presumed to be a springtime celebration but it is much more than this. May 1st has a longstanding connection as a time for political demonstration to bring much needed dialogue to issues facing the citizenry, particularly around fair treatment of labor workers. Simmons is no exception to this for as much as May Day is representative of Simmons History, it is also a reflection of the future we seek for ourselves and our community.
Student look on as the May Dance is performed for the May Day court, 1920. Photograph taken from above, perhaps atop colonnade.
Nymphs passed out at the foot of the May Day court duing a theatrical skit, ca. 1924.
May Day Queen, Rachel Ward ('21), greets a young subject on stage, 1923.
Two students walk through the residental campus prior to the May Day Strawberry Breakfast, 1919.