EMU Special Collections was recently given a fascinating collection of digitized slides from the family of Dr. J. Harold Housman (1928-2009). Housman was a 1949 graduate of EMC who became a doctor and spent many years doing medical work in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Nigeria.
These photographs, taken during his time at EMC, give a vivid glimpse into life at the college and Park View area. I hope you enjoy these images and if you see any one or any place you recognize, please share in the comments!
A mid-1940s view of EMC’s campus, prior to the construction of Northlawn (built in 1948) the Student Center/University Commons (built in 1957) or Hartzler Library (built 1971).Martins Store, now used by the Center for Justice and PeacebuildingThe College Shoppe on Mt. Clinton Pike at the intersection of Park Road. It is now a private residence. J. Harold Housman was a keen pilot who got his pilot’s license at the age of 16. This photo was taken at the Hartman Airfield located on Chicago Avenue around where the Family Dollar now sits.
1947 Mixed ChorusD. Ralph Hostetter supervises J. Harold Housman (right) and another student as they work on specimens.J. Mark StaufferA. Don AugsburgerStudents piled in a truck headed for a day out in the mountainsSledding on the hill
2 thoughts on “Through the lens of J. Harold Housman”
A very intriguing set of pictures. Thank you. Perhaps the one most intriguing is the picture of the women in white dresses and the men mostly in plain suits. I just marvel at the unwavering hemline of the white dresses. Yes, my wife tells me it was 12 inches no matter if you were short or tall. And were the white dresses a cultural import from Lancaster Mennonites. My mother has pictures from the 1930’s of social gatherings of Lancaster Mennonite women all dressed in white dresses.
Thank you for your comment! At EMC it was most common to see the white dresses worn for commencement or for choral performances. This particular picture is of the 1947 Mixed Chorus–you can see how the photograph being taken turned out in the 1947 yearbook at this link: https://cdm16154.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16154coll7/id/1546/rec/27
Anabaptist Historians 
A very intriguing set of pictures. Thank you. Perhaps the one most intriguing is the picture of the women in white dresses and the men mostly in plain suits. I just marvel at the unwavering hemline of the white dresses. Yes, my wife tells me it was 12 inches no matter if you were short or tall. And were the white dresses a cultural import from Lancaster Mennonites. My mother has pictures from the 1930’s of social gatherings of Lancaster Mennonite women all dressed in white dresses.
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Thank you for your comment! At EMC it was most common to see the white dresses worn for commencement or for choral performances. This particular picture is of the 1947 Mixed Chorus–you can see how the photograph being taken turned out in the 1947 yearbook at this link: https://cdm16154.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16154coll7/id/1546/rec/27
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