[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”22″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n
Ladies’ Hall Elm<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Jeff M. Sauve<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.65″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n For several decades, the hollow elm near Ladies’ Hall provided a wonderful photographic setting for the St. Olaf community. In the college’s early years, the tree’s cavity was burned to prevent further decay and was tended as an integral part of the campus landscape.<\/p>\n Professor Ole G. Felland, an avid amateur photographer, often posed his family and friends in the cavity, where he also staged a self-portrait. Located on the brow of the hill near present day-Holland Hall, the tree offered a temporary respite from the world as well as a secretive place to muse upon a verse or two (see below).<\/p>\n Although little is written about the tree, it apparently was removed by dynamite a few months after Holland Hall was dedicated on June 5, 1925.<\/p>\n Georgina Dieson Hegland noted in her book, As It Was in The Beginning (1950), that \u201cProfessor Felland was on hand with his camera to take a last picture [August 18, 1925, see images]. For him it was the occasion of losing an old friend, and he feelingly spoke out: \u2018Who would take down that tree should be put in jail.\u2019 The thoughtful John Berntsen [head of facility and grounds] lovingly put aside several big chunks suitable for making Norse kubbe stoler.\u201d (A kubbe stoler is a chair carved from a large section of log, common in Norway in the 19th century.)<\/p>\n Frida Bue-Homnes ’02 wrote the following poem, which was published in the college annual, The Viking (1913-1914-1915):<\/p>\n The Ladies’ Hall Elm<\/p>\n Stately and tall it stands, Ah, the tales it might tell Decades have passed since then, Long be thy life, O Elm, [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery _builder_version=”3.0.65″ show_title_and_caption=”on” show_pagination=”on” gallery_ids=”369,368,366,367,365,364,363″ fullwidth=”off” orientation=”landscape” zoom_icon_color=”#1eaa98″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” auto=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nA veteran guard on the hill-crest.
\nBearing the marks of time
\nYet showing a spirit unbroken:
\nKeeping a silent watch
\nO’er the paths converging beneath it.
\nShielding from trespassing eyes
\nThe time honored hall of the maidens.<\/p>\n
\nWere its murmurings comprehended
\nStories of wilderness times
\nWhen Indians roamed on the hillside;
\nStories of sugar camp days
\nWhen the frolicsome youths of the village
\nFeasted on sweets of the maple
\nCooled in a lingering snow drift.<\/p>\n
\nAnd bevies of fair young maidens,
\nMerry or grave have passed
\n‘Neath the eye of this sentinel watchful
\nAnd to each as she passed
\nThe Elm tree has murmured its greetings,
\nWhispering gently of rest
\nIn the shade of its wide spreading branches.<\/p>\n
\nAnd may future Manitou Maidens,
\nThough in more sumptuous halls
\nTheir merry young lives be sheltered,
\nLove and revere thee as we
\nWho mid tears and its laughters
\nDwelt in the dear old Hall
\nWhich thou hast so faithfully guarded.<\/p>\n