St Hilda's College in Oxford

Last week I had the opportunity to visit St. Hilda's College in Oxford.  St. Hilda’s College is one of the colleges that is a bit off the beaten track.  It's on the banks of the Cherwell behind the Magdalene Bridge. Colleges are usually only open to students, faculty and staff so it's a treat when I get to see the world that exists behind the walls and gates of a college.  I also love to see new perspectives and views of the dreaming spires of Oxford that you can only see from the private colleges.  

   

St. Hilda's founded in 1893 by Dorothea Beale, a Principal of Cheltenham Ladies College and stalwart proponent of women's education.

In order to give teachers in training the benefit of a year at Oxford University, Miss Beale purchased the Cowley House in Oxford in 1892  and opened it as St. Hilda's hall of residence for women in 1893.  In 1901 is was incorporated with the Cheltenham training college as St. Hilda's Incorporated College and in 1920 the Hall was admitted to the privileges of the Statute giving to women the right of membership of the University.

After World War I when the number of students rose from 49 to 70, St. Hilda's purchased the leasehold of Cherwell Hall in 1921, a training college belonging to the Church Education Corporation.  That then became the main resident hall for the students. 

I love this view of Magdalen Tower 

This is the original school that was Miss Beale purchased in 1892.  It is soon to be torn town and replaced by a new building. 

Most colleges at Oxford have a combination of old original buildings and newer, more modern ones.  Sometimes the combination works beautifully, sometimes not.

These are three of the six models on display in the lobby of the theatre.  One will be chosen by the Board of Governors from the short list of six semifinalist architectural firms. 

I love the great halls or the dining halls of the former women's colleges. All of the portraits of former college presidents or head of house on the walls are women!
 

Such a beautiful view of Magdalen and Merton!  I also love the mistletoe balls in the trees -- a touch of Dr. Seus.