Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 109

nasium, and secured permission to have the apparatus built in the wood shop by the apprentices of '81. This apparatus included a horizontal bar, parallel bars, ladders, and flying rings that were suspended from a crossbar in the trees. These were installed at a minimum of expense and the gym was in constant use during students' free hours.

The interest in athletics aroused by the gymnasium led to the development of track and field sports. In the spring of 1881 an inter-class field day was held on the area adjacent to the Boynton Street wall. Elaborate preparations were made for the event. The semblance of a track was graded, distances were marked out, and pits dug for jumping. A general invitation to witness the sports was issued, and many spectators lined the slope overlooking the field of battle. There were hurdle races, dashes, broad and high jumping, elephant races, sack races, and wheelbarrow races. The day aroused so much enthusiasm that a similar program was arranged for October, 1881, and again in the spring of 1882. Other events were added to the schedule, notably a tug-of-war, a mighty struggle between teams of seven. The first of these contests was won by '82 which had developed a scientific rowing motion which overcame the weight of '84. These field days were continued for many years and became the gala events of Institute life.

There were few resorts or amusements in the city that attracted students. The most popular place was the Skating Rink, roller skating being then at the height of its popularity. Some students attended free temperance lectures at Mechanics Hall, visited the public library and the library of the Mechanics' Association. There were half-way-through banquets usually at the Bay State House, and occasionally the celebration of a passing-mark at Zaeder's saloon, though most students were abstemious. In addition to compulsory chapel, all students were expected to attend church at least once on Sunday; most of them did so.

Tech students usually took an active part in political demonstrations. In 1878 they dressed in transparencies and

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Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999