This fall we are celebrating the 95th anniversary of the 1924 founding of Northampton School for Girls, which merged with Williston Academy in 1971. Many Northampton alumnae consider their school a unique, special place. It is harder, with nearly half a century’s perspective, to pin down just what the essence of Northampton School was. But recently a survey of ‘Hamp alumnae came to hand. It comes close. The study was carried out in 1965 and published in their Alumnae News the following year.
That report is reproduced here in its entirety, without further commentary. We’ve included a few additional photographs mostly because we like them, and they break up the page. They’re not meant to illustrate any particular narrative. (As always, please click each image to enlarge.)
(For a history of ‘Hamp and the merger, please see Northampton School for Girls — and After. Links to other posts about Northampton School are at the bottom of this article.) 
Some other blog posts with significant historical information about Northampton School for Girls include Northampton School for Girls — and After, The Angelus, Northampton School, 1926, Heroic, Hélène Cantarella — “Noblesse Oblige,” Mississippi Mud, Thou Shalt Not, The Brand, and Summer Reading. For a complete list of some 20 articles, use the “Posted In” link below, or the drop-down “Categories” menu near the top of this article.
Your comments and questions are encouraged! Please use the space below.
Some of these photos look like stills from films at the very peak of film noir’s heyday
Good eye, Unky. The photographer in the library, piano, laboratory, and fireplace shots was William Rittase, whose sports work you can find elsewhere on the blog. He produced catalog photography at both Northampton and Williston in the 1940s, and frequently employed dramatic lighting effects that directors like Orson Welles and Otto Preminger surely would have applauded.