The Ballroom and Ament Hall which surrounds it were built in the 1920s. Ament Hall also contained art studios, dormitory suites, and apartments for some of the faculty (like Ms. Priest and Ms. Munford). Some people look at the current state of the ballroom and are saddened that it isn't like it was -- but if you're seeing it for the first time,it's still pretty impressive. The high vaulted ceiling with heavy oak beams is clearly in the English Gothic style, but the curved bays show the French influence.

The view from the suites into the Ballroom must have been spectacular. There were several suites which even had an adjoining room for a private maid!

The girls were allowed to dance every day for a half hour after lunch and a half hour after dinner. There were also balls and special social events in the Ballroom. In general, males were excluded. A special sound system, an Auditoreum Victrola, provided the music. A gigantic speaker (perhaps the only one like it in the U.S.?) is still mounted in the room today. The picture below shows a girl standing at the mahogany Victrola control system and record vault.

This page was last maintained on 05/21/98.