Maine Memory Network

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, a group of girls living on the third floor of Purington Hall at Farmington State Normal School referred to themselves as the "angels", and the "the third floor gang". They had a reputation for being loud, fun, and boisterous as well as for breaking the rules. This image, from the scrapbook of one of the "Angel Alley" girls, Dolly Dunphy, is captioned "Some of the inmates of the third floor." Dolly is the second "inmate" on the right in the top row.

Doing headstands in outdoor locations seems to have been a fad among Normal School students in the 1920's. It is a recurring theme in several scrapbooks and photo albums in the University of Maine at Farmington's archive. Since most of the headstand photos were taken on mountain hikes, it may have been an exuberant way to celebrate arrival at the summit! This photograph is from the scrapbook of Doris "Dolly" Dunphy, class of 1929.

Students pose double-decker for a group photo. From the big smiles on their faces, it looks like they are having fun! That's Dolly wearing the letter sweater and showing off her garters.

The adventurous Farmington State Normal School students in Dolly Dunphy's "third floor gang" of Purington Hall enjoyed swimming in the nude. While it may have been cause for much merriment, it wasn't without risks. Poor Dolly once got a bad case of poison ivy that resulted in a rash all over her body. She lamented in her scrapbook that she looked for a cure for weeks!

Farmington State Normal School students often spent free time going to local spots for some outdoor fun. Saddleback and Tumbledown were popular for hikes, and Clearwater Pond a favorite for camping, swimming, and picnics. Here are some of the Purington Hall "third floor gang" at a cottage on Clearwater Pond.

Here are some of Dolly's "Angel Alley" gang, relaxing in a Purington Hall dorm room, exhibiting photos of their boyfriends. Like many women of the 1920s, they enjoyed social events such as dances and athletic games, which gave them a chance to have fun, make friends, and...meet potential husbands. One caption in Dolly's scrapbook prays "God, send us men!", but the letters and photographs she kept suggest she was never lacking for suitors!

Team captain Dolly is holding the ball in this photo of the First Year (as freshman were called) baseketball team of 1928.

Dolly at the head of the line, with her field hockey team of 1928.

Some of Dolly's friends enjoy some free time from their studies at Farmington State Normal School to hang out on a porch. In her class scrapbook, she describes this group as "not handsome - but wholesome".

The Angel Alley girls go "bottoms up" in this playful photo of the third floor gang.

Here's the one horse open sleigh, with four "dashing" Normal School students. Dolly is second from the left.

Here's Jerry Lawrence (right) with pal Hortense in their swimming costumes. This photo was taken at Clearwater Pond.

Jerry showing off the catch of the day.

Jerry and pals out for a winter walk on snowshoes.

Here's a pair of Jerry's pals, modeling their undergarments for a laugh. Oooh la la!

Jerry mentioned in her scrapbook that she loved costume design. She would have had plenty of opportunity to get creative: costume parties and theatrical performances were extremely popular at Farmington State Normal School in the 1920s. Here she is on the right, modeling a dress for a Valentine's Day celebration.

We know that after graduation, Jerry used her degree in Home Economics to land a teaching position at the Amoskeag School of Domestic Science. This is her Saturday morning cooking class.

Phyllis Smith (left), Algia McLeary, and Don (last name unknown) visiting a rustic fishing camp. Fishing, swimming, and boating in local lakes were very popular pastimes with Normal School students.

A cast photo from the musical "Springtime" from the scrapbook of Phyllis Smith. A program from the show lists Phyllis among the cast members, although we do not think she is one of these belles.

Costume party or theatrical cast photo? We're not sure, but they look like they are having fun. Helen Varner is the dapper flapper, third from the right.

The 1928 yearbook of Farmington State Normal School says "Helen Varner expresses herself through her uke." It appears her friend "Maddocks" did the same, as he serenades the Wilton railroad station in this photo from Helen's scrapbook.

Kitty Haskell is the center "Soda Pop" in this cast photo from the musical "Her Song".