Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-07-28

but from rail- 10 summer housing so
important part of the population the
like of which is nowhere else to be
found. This is Bertram hall, the first
of the ''halls of residence" of Rad
cliffe college. That it is unlike the
dormitory buildings of other women's
colleges is, perhaps, because it forms
part of what seems, in some ways, the
most striking educational undertaking
in the world.
Bertram hall is the latest expression
of women's university life, if such
phrase may be used Just as Radcliffe
has grown in less than a quarter of
century to its present position of promi-
nence from the tentative and none-too
encouraging beginnings of the Society
for the Collegiate instruction of Wo-
men, which was formed to secure for
women exactly the facilities Harvard
offers to men, so the education it offers
has broadened from the mere depart
ments of book learning through the
creation of university spirit and
university manner of life such as have
never until now been thought possible
except among men. Full right to exer-
else personal choice in studies has been
followed by the greatest personal lib
erty in domestic and social life, and
Bertram hall, built to meet the pecul-
lar requirements of such conditions,
combines with the salient features of
the best kind of American home those
of the college commons" together
with a nearer approach to the comforts
and privileges of mans club house
than women have previously enjoyed
anywhere.
twenty-five students can be accom-
modated in Bertram hall; the number
was limited purposely in making the
plans. The Radcliffe authorities wish
most of all that their residence quar-
tiers shall never approach big institu-
tional dormitories, which, they feel,
tend to destroy the home features that
are of more Importance to women stu
dents than to men. A great library
at one end of the main hall on the first
floor, and an even larger dining room
at the other end, give chance for that
independence of surroundings Of which
every healthy individual feels the need
at times.
The style of architecture selected
for the group of which Bertram is the
first member to be completed is pur-
est colonial, utilizing ancient brick
with white marble trimmings. With
in, the simple, graceful style of $50
years ago is closely followed in the
long wide halls, with generous win
dows and doorways, the low, sweeping
staircase, the deep panelling of dark
wood and the minor decorations and
furnishings. Open fireplaces with
broad hearths and high mantels are
in every study, though the building is
heated throughout by a hot-water
system, and even the electrical fixtures
take the form of candelabra or old
fashioned lanterns.
Two floors above the first, where in
addition to the big public rooms are
found the office and private apart
ments of the resident mistress, have
been given over to the students. In
addition to seven single rooms there
with two bedrooms opening out of It.
Four Of these suites are so arranged
that the study and one bedroom may
be let together On the second floor
there is a little lounging room at the
disposal of all the girls in the house.
All the floors are of hard wood and
certain necessary furniture, in mission
and colonial pieces, goes with each
apartment.
| When the seven other halls which
according to the plans are to be set
out about the splendid sweep of rolling
| lawn at the head of which Bertram
stands have been constructed, they will
be of the same general type as this
first one. Each will have it's little
family of not more than 80 or 40, each
| its resident mistress" who is not only
the household manager but friend, ad
wiser and companion to everyone OF
the girls in the building, each will
necessarily preserve a certain individ
ualty, just as do the dormitories OF
the great university half mile away
yet all will form one big student com
munity where personal tastes have full
play, where associations are not
forced, where there is no restraint
other than such as the individual
members are accustomed to in Their
own homes, without iron-clad rules OF
regulations or restrictions.
Bertram hall was given to Radcliffe
by Mrs. David P. Kimball of Boston
who named it as memorial to hei
young son. 1t was opened in Novem
Der, 1901, and from then until now
Their has always been waiting list o.
students seeking opportunity to secure
any room that might be vacated durins
the college year. The great field which
lies before it-since the present en-
trance from the street is on the side
which was designed TO be the back O
the building-was the last unoccupiet
piece of land in the heart OF Cambridge
Inear Radcliffe, and was purchased b.