1917 Barnard College Students Brewing Tea Tradition

This photograph, taken in 1917, captures two students from Barnard College engaged in the everyday ritual of preparing tea. Barnard, an all-womens college located in Manhattan, was founded in 1889 and has a rich history of advocating for womens education. At this time, it was a period when women were increasingly stepping into educational roles, expanding their opportunities beyond traditional domestic spheres.

The image not only documents a common activity but also offers insight into student life in the early 20th century. Social gatherings over tea often served as both a break from academic pressures and a space for collaboration and camaraderie among students. The unverified caption card hints at the importance of such communal moments in the lives of these women, highlighting how food preparation and shared experiences contributed to the overall educational atmosphere at Barnard.

As a visual record, this photograph serves as a window into a specific moment in history where educational advancements for women were gaining momentum. The act of preparing tea becomes a symbol of both daily life and the periods shifting societal norms, illustrating how students balanced their studies with social interaction during a transformative era in womens education.