The Shakespeare Society was established in 1877 by the founder of Wellesley College, Henry Fowle Durant, and is the oldest continuous society on the Wellesley campus. Under the guidance of Professor Durant, the original twelve members of the Society undertook a, "systematic study of Shakespeare as a means of mental development" as their declared aim. The early Society had official ties to the London Shakespeare Society and prominent Shakespearean readers and critics of the time addressed their meetings.

After establishing the Shakespeare Society, Durant handed its direction over to Professor Louise Manning Hodgkins. During her 12 years as faculty leader, Professor Hodgkins molded the Society into how we know it today. In 1886, she started the annual tradition of performing an entire Shakespearean play. One of the most well known performances was the Society's production of Midsummer's Night Dream in 1898. According to The Chicago World Newspaper, the performance was shocking and nearly scandalous because the students performed in front of a mixed audience, "in tights, real, genuine tights, the same wicked garments in which the naughty chorus girls do their highkicking in." A few years later, the women of the Shakespeare Society decided to defy college regulations, at the risk of expulsion but in the spirit of authenticity, by appearing in male dress. In hopes of evading such punishment, the Society planted a sympathetic faculty member in the audience to exclaim, "Oh, I'm so glad they got rid of that silly rule about performing in male costume!" in earshot of the current College President. No one was expelled and the regulation was quickly changed.

The House

Shakespeare House is perhaps the only college edifice in America built with funds raised entirely by undergraduates. Its own members began the project in 1892 and laid the cornerstone in 1898. The House is a neo-Elizabethan structure modeled after the Birth House of Shakespeare in Stratford, England, with elements from Anne Hathaway's cottage in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, but contains a small proscenium theatre for play productions. This theatre has been the venue for Shakespeare Society productions since the completion of the house. The Society uses no other buildings to house props and costumes, technical equipment, to rehearse. Meetings, rehearsals, activities, fundraisers, and alumnae and faculty events are held within the beautiful structure. The Shakespeare House also houses a small library and wide variety of Shakespearian art and memorabilia. Over the years, the house continues to be lovingly maintained by the Shakespeare Society Alumnae Association.

• Provider name - mdaley@wellesley.edu
• Created: October 1, 2004
• Last Modified: November 28, 2007
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