Historical Photos Highlight Spring at Duke

After a cold, snowy and long winter, spring officially arrives this Friday.

That means sun-filled days, blue skies and blossoming flowers are on their way. It’s the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy the season across Duke’s campus.

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Few know that better than Megan Mendenhall, a photographer with Duke Photography who will spend her tenth spring on campus working to capture the landscapes, people and events that that make the season uniquely Duke.

“It’s always a good time to take photos, but with spring, the warm days become more pleasant, people are outside and there’s a lot more activity happening,” Mendenhall said. “The world is waking up from a winter hibernation and it’s a great time to get out and see what’s going on.”

With a look back at spring images captured at Duke over the years, here are some tips on how to get visual enjoyment and best capture spring as campus arises from winter slumber.

May Day party on East Campus, 1937, University Archives

Beginning in 1921, The Woman’s College at Duke held annual “May Day” pageants as a celebration of spring. Dances and music were common, including setting up a “tea garden” to offer strawberry shortcake, fruit salad and more. Events were sometime held in Memorial Gym, now a part of Brodie Recreation Center, which included music, dancing and fortunetellers.

“Holidays like Easter and Holi offer good opportunities to find color,” Mendenhallsaid.

Cherry blossom tree in Duke Gardens, March 17, 1951, University Archives

“I love watching the plants flower in the springtime and this year will be extra special because of the delayed nature of the season,” said Paul Jones, curator of the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. “There’s so much diversity and life coming forth. It’s reviving to one's soul to see life in nature.”

Duke Marine Lab, 1986 Chanticleer, Duke’s yearbook

“Spring is a great time to take advantage of the ‘Golden Hour,’ the time before sunset when the sun is a little lower and you can get more flattering light,” Mendenhall said. “You can find this any time of the year, but during spring the days are getting longer and it’s more convenient if you’re looking for an interesting photo.”

Student among flowers, 1993 Chanticleer

“Right now there are lots of construction projects that could be interesting if you’re looking to capture buildings, but in the spring, it’s about looking for colors, patterns or even interesting animals,” Mendenhall said. “But mostly, people tend to be outside and it’s a great time to photograph them.”

Blossoms of Winter Hazel Tree at Duke Gardens, Photo courtesy of Paul Jones

“One of my personal favorite trees to look for is the native Hazelnut because you’ll find male and female flowers on the same branch,” Jones said. “The female flowers are these tiny, burgundy flowers that come out of a small bud and they’re not much bigger than the sharpened end of your pencil.”