We are happy to offer our first item of local history from Lancaster County, PA, and we hope to offer additional items of historical interest soon. |
Now Available for Download |
The Laurel Wreath for 1957 from Lancaster Mennonite School
One of our
objectives at Between the Lakes Group is to provide variation in our
republishing activities.
It’s our hope that by doing so we will encourage curiosity and
historical investigation.
This yearbook is an example of our efforts in this direction.
While most
people who purchase our yearbooks are either looking for relatives or
remembering their own times in high school, this yearbook, as well as
addressing those needs, will hopefully provide a window into Mennonite
culture – one aspect of what is popularly called “Pennsylvania Dutch” –
in Pennsylvania. From our
knowledge of this cultural and religious group we were a bit surprised
to find that high school yearbooks were even issued!
Perhaps it comes as a surprise to you, too.
There are
obvious differences between this 1957 yearbook and other yearbooks we’ve
published of this vintage, and the most obvious is the pervasiveness of
religion in what appear to be all aspects of school life.
For a religious school, that is likely not a surprise.
The fact that the entire yearbook is black and white – even the
cover – seems, on consideration, predictable.
The senior photos, characterized by short hair for both boys and
girls, modest attire (some girls wear head covering), are striking by
comparison with those of other schools.
The limited range of activities – the preponderance associated
with religion, and the lack of sports teams, are both notable.
It is a boarding school!
And this is the only yearbook we have ever republished that was
actually indexed!
This is a
document of a fascinating cultural and religious community.
We hope this yearbook helps readers to understand it better. Download now as a PDF file. 117 pages, $4.00.
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