An Early Spring Day

Spring Day originated in 1931. Chaffee’s Director, Jeannette Cloud, created a country fair for students and their families, the purpose of which was to raise money for future building projects at the school. Barbara Erickson, a Chaffee teacher and later Headmistress, recalled that during many of her 38 years at the school, girls donned their best spring dresses for the afternoon festivities.

 

Penny Auction 

Loomis faculty member James Henderson (1940-1955) served as auctioneer for the Spring Day Penny Auction held behind Sill House at the Palisado campus. A buffet supper followed and for many years, a father-daughter or a Chaffee-Loomis softball game umpired by legendary Loomis coach and Athletic Director Ralph Erickson took place. 

 

1943 Spring Day

Students bought war bonds with the 1943 Spring Day proceeds. The Chaffee Chiel stated, “This year our aim is rather to add a touch of gaiety and charm to the more somber background of our daily lives than to reap profits for our own particular interests.” Another sign of the times: war stamp corsages were sold instead of flowers.

 

Groundbreaking for Sellers Hall 1948

A large crowd gathered at Spring Day 1948 for the Sellers Hall groundbreaking. Long-time Chaffee Director, Florence Sellers, turned the first shovel of earth with Merle Whipple, Head of the Parents Building Committee, Alice Blumenfeld Kramer ’48, President of the Student Council, James Lee Loomis, Trustee Chair, and Mr. Batchelder.

 

Barbara Erickson

Headmistress Barbara Erickson recalled that Spring Day was a “happy and exciting time because everyone was included in the effort.” Student and faculty joined together to create booths and activities, and parents as well as Loomis boys attended. Money raised over the years helped to build tennis courts at Chaffee and an addition to Sill House.

 

1969 Spring Day

No matter what decade, the spirit of Spring Day invited guests to test their luck, demonstrate their skills at a variety of games and just have fun. Fortune telling, white elephant sales, games of chance, trying out homemade goodies and buying corsages were just a few of Spring Day activities. In 1969, this photo booth was surely a big hit.