Below is a fictitious diary of a student from the first graduating class at Rollins. While Miss Eugenia Bellows may not have actually attended Rollins, we hope you enjoy her stories which are based off of documented events mixed with creativity.

Friday, April 4, 1890

It’s the early morning and the sun is already making its presence known. I check the thermometer – seventy-eight degrees? It’s never this hot so early in the day back home in Boston. I look around my dorm, which is conveniently located in Pinehurst Cottage in the center of campus. It’s the only girls’ dormitory here, but that’s okay – less room for unwanted rowdy men. I actually like Pinehurst; it’s a quaint New England style building built just four years earlier in 1886 and designed by architect George D. Rand, a Bostonian.^[1] It certainly reminds me of home and helps ease my lingering homesickness. Because of its small and intimate setting, I’ve created some of my best friendships with the other girls housed in the dorm, like Clara Louise Guild and Ida May Missildine. All three of us are graduating next month! In fact, we all posed for a photo on Pinehurst’s porch yesterday. What do you think of it? I think we look rather stoic, but at least we are quite fashionable!

After getting dressed for the day, I head down to the “Beanery” with my friends for breakfast. However, let’s just say it was not too appealing. The Swedish chef in the kitchen was not the best in terms of quality, most of what was served would be considered “bow wow mutton.” My friend even commented how the chef “didn’t excel in the culinary line, but it was food.”^[2]

After pushing around the food on my plate for about half an hour, it was time to head to my first class of the day, Political Economy. My goodness – while I am a diligent student, I do find myself quite fatigued in that class. But, I presume the teacher is no help for that matter, as I find Professor Annie Morton quite insipid. Usually, I turn to my friend Clara and we gossip in the back corner about things we actually find of interest. In accordance with our typical routine Clara and I were engaged in conversation, when all of a sudden Professor Morton gave us demerits for talking in class! Why, the nerve! I had never been so embarrassed in my life to receive such a scolding – in front of the whole class for that matter! It seems like anything can be classified as a demerit nowadays. My friend Ruth even received one for being out of her room during the study period.^[3] Who could blame her for wanting a little fresh air, even if it was at the expense of her studies!

The Book of Demerits kept track of misbehavior during the 1905-1906 school year. https://archives.rollins.edu/digital/collection/students/id/1402/.

 Once Political Economy finally ended, it was time to go to my next class of the morning. Since I am pursuing the classical course of training in the Collegiate Department, I take a total of three courses: Political Economy, Geology, and Evidences of Christianity.^[4] Geology is my next class, which is taught by my favorite professor, Miss Eva J. Root. Professor Root just makes class so digestible and engaging! Who knew learning about rocks could actually be entertaining! Professor Root incorporates many hands-on activities in class to make it simple to understand.^[5]

Besides, another up-side to the class is that I get to see my sweetheart, Frederick Lewton everyday. Frederick is a real sweetheart and kind gentleman. He loves astronomy and is one of the smartest men I know. While we do not sit next to each other in class, as that would be considered as too forward and informal for the classroom, we do see each other often on our own time. Every Friday, Frederick comes to Pinehurst and we sit in the parlor and drink iced tea while we talk to Clara and her new beau.^[6] But today, we have big plans together. After Geology, we are going to spectate a tennis match between Rollins and Stetson. It is always such a joy attending these events with Frederick, but sitting for a few hours in the Florida heat is no friend to layers of clothing with a petticoat underneath. Watching the tennis team must be one of the best parts about the Spring term. And, take a look at those uniforms! They are quite modest, indeed, and I have not the slightest clue as to how the ladies maneuver in such corpulent skirts – in fact, that in itself seems to be a great exertion. 

I then convinced Frederick to accompany me down Park Avenue and visit The Pioneer Store, owned and operated by John Ergood and Robert White. I picked up a yard of white lace to embellish one of my black evening gowns that is just so dreadfully plain in its current condition, and Frederick even bought himself a root beer to quench his thirst in this Florida heat.[7] The store has been in this location for about eight years now, as I believe Mr. John Ergood told me it opened in 1882.^[8] I just find it so convenient being able to stop by and pick up everything I need within walking distance from campus, especially with this area of Florida being so painfully rural.

  We then returned to campus, when we realized we had forgotten to eat lunch! Not wanting to test our chances with the Beanery again, we decided to have a little picnic on the main lawn for a mid-afternoon snack. Oh, how glorious it was! The weather had turned around since the humid morning, and now there was a refreshing breeze and crystal blue skies – exactly like how Rollins was depicted on the first postcard I received! While Frederick and I were relaxing on the grass, soaking in the sun, we noticed our friends Josephine and Albert taking a stroll. We invited them to come join us and they kindly obliged. Josephine and I started talking about plans after graduation, while Frederick and Albert started rattling on about geopolitics and world affairs. At some point, Josephine and I knew it was a losing battle to try to engage in any other type of conversation with them. For our little picnic, we snacked on fresh oranges. Oh, how delightful they are! They must be one of my favorite parts about Florida – aside from the beautiful weather that is. But, you must be very careful not to pick up an orange from just anywhere, as they have to be purchased. Indeed, I have heard of a young student, I believe his name was Lewis, receiving a demerit for stealing oranges once.^[9]

After we finished our picnic, Josephine and I went back to Pinehurst to change our attire and get ready for our Greek Posture Class. Can you believe it? This class counts as a gymnastics class, and is taught by Grace Livingston, who also serves as our fencing instructor!^[10] When I first joined the course, I was hesitant to wear the Ancient Greek togas while positioning my body in weird and unusual ways. But, my friends and I quickly learned to love the class and it easily became our favorite part of the week!

Once posture class ended, we went back to the dormitory to freshen up. I chose to put on my best dress for the evening because Frederick told me that he is going to be taking me out rowing on Lake Virginia. Is that not the most romantic thing you have ever heard? I can hardly wait! Lake Virginia will always be my favorite part of campus. Walking along the shoreline, admiring the sun rise and set will always be cherished memories of my time here at Rollins. Oh, I’m feeling so nostalgic just writing about it!

Out on the lake, Frederick and I, along with two of our other friends, rowed as we watched the sun set over the horizon. The sight was breathtaking.

After the sun set for the evening and it became too dark to stay outside, Frederick escorted me back to Pinehurst Cottage. On Friday evenings, the boys are allowed to join us in the parlor of the dormitory, which always makes for a pleasant space for conversation. But, Rollins is severely strict about rules. The campus curfew is set at eleven P.M., and no one is allowed to leave their bedroom past that time.^[11] Afraid of receiving another demerit, Frederick and I decided it would be best for him to leave Pinehurst around ten P.M. so we would have enough time to prepare for bed.

As I lay in my bed waiting for sleep to take over, I caught myself thinking of what the weekend may have in store for me. Tomorrow, I plan on rising early and finishing all of my studies so that I am not spending more time than necessary on those tasks. Then Clara, Josephine, and I might take a few of the horses and travel to the Wekiva Springs for the afternoon. It will probably be very crowded given its the weekend, but I do not mind so long as the water is cool and refreshing! Then on Sunday, Frederick shall accompany me to church and the rest of the day I plan to relax and read a new book I picked up from the library earlier in the week.^[12] All in all, today was one of the best days that I have had in a long time.

About the Author:  

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^[1] “Pinehurst Cottage,” Accessed 1 May 2023,  https://lib.rollins.edu/olin/Archives/Architecture/Arch/pinehurst_cottage.htm. 

^[2] “Marian Foss Coombs Ballard,” Accessed 1 May 2023, https://archives.rollins.edu/digital/collection/students/id/1378/rec/2.

^[3] D. Moore, “Frederick Lewton: Recollections of Early Days at Rollins College,” Accessed 3 May 2023, https://blogs.rollins.edu/libraryarchives/2012/09/05/frederick-lewton-recollections-of-early-days-at-rollins-college/.

^[4] Catalogue, 1890-1891, Rollins College Course Catalogues, Rollins College Scholarship Online, https://scholarship.rollins.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1194&context=catalogs_liberalarts.

^[5] Jack C. Lane, “Liberal Arts on the Florida Frontier: The Founding of Rollins College, 1885-1890.” The Florida Historical Quarterly 59, no. 2 (1980): 144–64. http://www.jstor.org/stable/30146100.

^[6] Moore, “Frederick Lewton,” https://blogs.rollins.edu/libraryarchives/2012/09/05/frederick-lewton-recollections-of-early-days-at-rollins-college/.

[7] Winter Park Library, “Pioneer Store,” Accessed 4 May 2023, https://omeka.wppl.librarymarket.com/exhibits/show/histbisref/pioneer-store.

^[8] Randy Noles and Steve and Gail Ratjar, “A Bright New England Town in Central Florida,” Winter Park Magazine, Accessed 30 April 2023, https://winterparkmag.com/history/.

^[9] Moore, “Frederick Lewton,” https://blogs.rollins.edu/libraryarchives/2012/09/05/frederick-lewton-recollections-of-early-days-at-rollins-college/.

^[10] “Greek Posture Class of 1889-1890,” Accessed 1 May 2023, https://archives.rollins.edu/digital/collection/students/id/1319/rec/172.

^[11] Moore, “Frederick Lewton,” https://blogs.rollins.edu/libraryarchives/2012/09/05/frederick-lewton-recollections-of-early-days-at-rollins-college/.

^[12] Moore, “Frederick Lewton,” https://blogs.rollins.edu/libraryarchives/2012/09/05/frederick-lewton-recollections-of-early-days-at-rollins-college/.