Another shot of Capen Hall, now the Alumnae House, used as quarters for WAVES officers in training at Smith College during World War II. It comes from the National Archives.
Alumnae House
Capen House, in this photograph, is located at the corner of Elm and Bedford Terrace in Northampton, across the street from the main Smith College campus. It’s part of the larger structure currently known as the Alumae House. During World War II, it was used as the WAVES dormitory.
This photograph comes from the National Archives.
Paunce Hall
The WAVES took over a number of campus building for the training facility at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, which brought in its first full class of officers in October 1942.
Paunce Hall, seen in the photograph above, was the WAVES principle recitation hall. The photo comes from the National Archives.
At the Helm at Smith
Captain Herbert Underwood, who was the chief commanding officer of the Smith College training facility for WAVES Officers. He was a graduate of the Naval Academy who the Navy recalled from retirement during World War II specifically to help coordinate and train the new WAVES.
He took to his new duties with humor and creativity and by all accounts was highly respected by the women he supervised. After handling one unusual request (the marriage between two Navy officers) he noted: “Uncharted waters. Proceed with caution.”
Officer Training Begins
In early October, 1944, the first full WAVES officer class began training at Smith College in Northampton, MA. The women would train for their duties alongside students enrolled in the college at the time, and many of the campus buildings and haunts were taken over by the Navy. The initial officer class began in August for a compressed training session; they would be the ones training this new class.
This is Capen House, which was the principle WAVES dormitory.
WAVES of the Navy, Part 2
A World War II-era WAVE sings “WAVES of the Navy” at the WAVES National Convention in Orlando, Florida, September 21.
WAVES of the Navy
At the WAVES National Convention in Orlando, Florida on September 21, WAVES (World War II-era and later) sing the WAVE anthem “WAVES of the Navy.”
WAVES Honored
World War II-era WAVES stand up to be acknowledged at the WAVES National Convention in Orlando, Florida, September 21, 2012.
Film Preview, Part 5
Homefront Heroines Director Kathleen Ryan takes questions after the film’s preview at the WAVES National Convention in Orlando, Florida, September 21.
Film Preview, Part 4
Homefront Heroines Director Kathleen Ryan and WAVE Margaret Anderson Thorngate hug before the film’s preview at the WAVES National Convention in Orlando, Florida, September 21.
Hinges of History 