Aryan Literary Society Orchestra- 1920's

Aryan Literary Society Orchestra- 1920's

Items on this shelf include photographs of the Aryan Literary Society Orchestra and the waiters who served in the Old Main dining room

Aryan Literary Society: This literary society was formed in 1879 as a counterpart to it's rival organization the Moore Literary Society which was founded in 1871. Both societies held debates, produced plays, and published literary journals ( THE MOORE LITERARY GAZETTE and THE ARYAN REVIEW). These two journals would eventually merge to form one journal THE AMULET. In later years each society held alumni reunions. The orchestra was established to provide musical entertainment at various functions held by the Aryan Society.

The photograph to the right (circa 1921) shows the waiters who worked in the dining room of Old Main. This group was made up of Normal School students who worked for the extra money for tuition and board.. By the time this picture was taken the group was composed of students living the Old Wayne Hall, the dormitory for male students. The waiters called themselves the H.H.S.A. (Hollinger Hash Slinging Association). The association was named after John R. Hollinger who was the steward of the Normal School and hired the student waiters. Dr. Charles S. Swope, who graduated from West Chester and later served as President of the College (1935 - 1959), was a member of this organization in the 1920's.