Charles Wesley Emerson, 1877
College administrators- Emerson; Charles Wesley; College administrators-College presidents; Portraits; American-Portraits
Our college founder, Charles Wesley Emerson, was a minister at the Unitarian Church in Chelsea, MA. He enrolled in Boston University's School of Oratory in 1877, studying Delsarte and Swedenborg under the direction of Professor Lewis B. Monroe. In 1880, he established his own school, the Boston Conservatory of Elocution and Dramatic Art, which was to become Emerson College.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1877
Emerson College
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Robbins Speech, 1950
Children with disabilities-Hearing impaired children; Civic engagement-Service learning; Nervous system - diseases-Communication disorders
This image shows Samuel D. Robbins teaching the Speech Pathology program that he launched at Emerson College of Oratory in 1935. Emerson's president Samuel Justus McKinley wrote, "I have been assured that our program of courses in Speech Therapy is the best in New England, and we must make every effort to maintain and develop the pioneering and growth which took place under Mr. Robbins." In 1953, a new facility named for Samuel Robbins - the Robbins Speech and Hearing Clinic - would open its doors at 145 Beacon Street. It was directed by Emerson professor /alum Catherine Perry.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1950
Emerson College
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Carriage House, 1936
Arts facilities-Centers for the performing arts; Performing Arts-Theater; School facilities-College facilities; Student activities-College theater; Outbuildings-Carriage houses;
The school's very first theater, dubbed the Emerson College Theater, opened in 1936 in a repurposed carriage house behind the 128-130 Beacon Street buildings. Pictured: Interior of the timber-framed space. View of the main house from the stage. Folding chairs, stage lighting, tapestries..
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1936
Emerson College
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130 Beacon, 1939
College buildings; College students
Originally built as private residences, 130 Beacon was part of a group of Back Bay buildings held by Emerson College. The college purchased 130 Beacon in 1933 to house administrative offices and classrooms. It became the flagship building of Emeron's Back Bay campus and over the years would also served as the base for The Emerson Review, The Berkeley Beacon and EIV, as well as the college library and a television studio. President Ross created the college's first theater in the Carriage House, located behind 128 and 130 Beacon. In 1939, the name of the institution was shortened from Emerson College of Oratory to Emerson College to coincide with expanded course offerings. "I guess if you ask anyone from Emerson from the Beacon Street era, they would say The Wall was one of the best things about Emerson. It was like our Facebook. Behind The Wall was a huge sheet stretched between posts. All the events and news were posted daily. It was the central gathering point for campus life." - Barbara Ruthberg, BS '68 Pictured: The entrance to 130 Beacon in the early 1950s. Property signage displays the new name, "Emerson College, established 1880," as well as directional signage pointing the way to "FM station WERS," and "Drama workshop in rear." This was a popular student hangout known as the Wall. Upon learning that Emerson was selling the ?west side properties? and relocating to complete the ?Campus on the Common? vision, Emerson students, staff, and faculty lamented the loss of the Beacon Street buildings for their character which lent itself to a unique sense of community.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1939
Emerson College
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Robbins Speech and Hearing Clinic, 1953
College [student development] programs-Robbins Speech; Language and Hearing Center; College buildings-Dormitories; School facilities-College facilities
Emerson purchased 145 Beacon Street in 1950. Three years later, the Robbins Speech and Hearing Clinic opened its doors at this address, where it remained for about a decade until the clinic was moved to 168 Beacon. Emerson continued to use the property as dormitory, office and classroom space. In 2001, the college sold 145 Beacon and the building returned to its original use as private residences. The building dates back to 1861.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1953
Emerson College
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WERS TV
Broadcasting-WERS (Radio station : Boston; Mass.); School facilities-College facilities
Producer's behind the scenes of WERS TV. View from inside control room. WERS-TV presented the first program of closed circuit television in 1955. Photo imprint: "Arber-French & Co., Boston, Mass."; Motorola equipment pictured.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1955
Emerson College
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100 Beacon Street, 1960
College buildings-Dormitories; College buildings- Residence halls; College buildings-Student housing; Parks; Massachusetts Authority: Public Garden (Boston; Mass.)
View of the Public Garden and the eastern end of Beacon Street through an upper floor window within the residence hall at 100 Beacon Street. In 1960, Emerson College sold 373 Commonwealth Ave. and acquired 100 Beacon. Emerson remodeled the c1924 building and converted it into a dormitory. It continued to be an Emerson College dormitory until 2006.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1960
Emerson College
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150 Beacon Street, 1963
College buildings-Dormitories; College facilities-Dining halls
In 1961, Emerson College purchased 150 Beacon Street. The building included dormitory space, a dining hall, and administrative offices. Pictured: Exterior of the building circa 1963
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1963
Emerson College
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96 Beacon Street Facade, 1964
College buildings; College buildings- Student unions
Built in 1849, the building at 96 Beacon Street served as Emerson's student union from 1964 until 2006 and was used for small gatherings, rehearsals and other events. Pictured: A B&W photo of building's front fascade with students on the front stoop.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1964
Emerson College
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EVVY, 1983
Awards-EVVY awards; Awards ceremonies-Presentations; awards; Performing arts Authority: Theatrical productions;
Broadcasting Authority: Television broadcasting
The very first EVVY awards were held in 1982. (The 2nd EVVYs ceremony, from 1983, is pictured). The EVVYs were created to recognize student achievement in television and video. Decades later, this annual awards program has evolved into the largest student award show in the nation, showcasing the work of Emerson students in nearly every area of study offered at the college.
Emerson College Archives and Special Collections
Emerson College
1983
Emerson College
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