Professor Hamilton's Diary: Dec. 14, 1935

He lectures on art; FDR gives a history lesson at the Gridiron dinner

Professor Hamilton gave his illustrated lecture on Renaissance art to both sections of freshmen in the Science Lecture Hall at Albright College this morning. I’m sure the “Mona Lisa” made an appearance, smiling ever so slighly.

In the afternoon, he and Margaret watched the children perform in a Christmas pageant at the Episcopal church, and then spent the evening with friends, enjoying “a fine duck dinner.” They got home at 9 p.m., the children “rather tired.” And cranky too, I bet.

By then, the semi-annual dinner of the Gridiron Club was just getting underway at the Willard Hotel in Washington. A men-only and supposedly off-the-record affair, it involved outrageous skits, song and dance, and (mostly) good natured fun-poking at President Roosevelt and his government. Paid subscribers can read on about some of the skits and the president’s (mostly) humorous response.

A reminder, faithful readers, that only paid subscribers will learn what happened to Professor Hamilton and his family as the diary ends. Give yourself an early Christmas gift and sign up today for just $5 a month or $50 a year. That way you will also be ready to enjoy the diaries of Mrs. Ross, a Washington, D.C. matron writing about the early days of World War II in 1942; Walter E. Askew, chief of police in Newnan, Ga. in 1930; and Myra Jackson, a young farm wife and mother living in Petrey, Alabama in 1932. For various reasons, these diaries are incomplete, but each provides fascinating insights into America during those turbulent years. I am very excited to share them with subscribers!