Our future past: A history of classes at the University of Kentucky

Photographs have solidified their significance in my life as my favorite way of reminiscing memories. No matter their quality, recency, or context, photos provide a tangible view of the past and serve as a digital diary for the future. 

It was with this fondness that I discovered ExploreUK, a project by the University of Kentucky Libraries and maintained by the UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center. ExploreUK provides free and public access to digital materials that includes rare books, photographs, newspapers, and more. In traversing the thousands of photographs on ExploreUK, I have created the “Our Future Past” series to culminate the highlights and provide historical context of images taken on our campus. 

The University of Kentucky was founded in 1865 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky. It remained so until 1878 when the A&M College separated from Kentucky University and became an independent, state-run institution. In 1880, women were accepted to the college, and in 1949, Lyman T. Johnson became the first Black student to enroll at UK. 

Prior to the Title IX federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funds, classes offered to women at UK were primarily literature, teaching, and home economics, reflecting attitudes of the time that higher education for women was primarily to make them better wives, mothers, or teachers. 

“Sewing class” photograph by Nollau, Louis Edward, 1883-1955. 

In 1917, the College of Home Economics was founded as UK’s first academic college specifically tailored to women, with a curriculum focusing on domestic science, nutrition, child development, and textiles.

        “Cooking class” photograph by Nollau, Louis Edward, 1907.

Through the 1920s-1930s, women began gaining access to a wider array of educational

opportunities; however, engineering, agriculture, and law were still extremely male-dominated. 

 “Women’s art class” photograph by Nollau, Louis Edward, 1922.

In 1956, UK founded the College of Medicine, a creation that gave women a clearer path to becoming physicians and saw an increase in women in the sciences. 

“Cardinal Hill Hospital; Doctor and nurse examine cast” photograph by Weddle, James Edwin, 1911-1989.

After Title IX passed in 1972, any remaining restrictions on women’s access to science, law, medicine, and engineering courses at UK were formally eliminated, marking the beginning of full educational equality in terms of formal policy for women. 

 “Furniture-refinishing class” photograph by Nollau, Louis Edward, 1883-1955.

While the history of women at the University of Kentucky reflects a long journey toward equality and opportunity, the history of men at UK is one rooted in the university’s earliest days and shaped by evolving academic, social, and cultural expectations. UK was founded as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky under the Morrill Land-Grant Act, initially exclusively for men, with a curriculum focusing on agriculture, engineering, and military training.

"Soldiers, communication class” photograph by Louis Edward Nollau F Series Photographic Print Collection (University of Kentucky). 

In 1878, A&M College separated from Kentucky University and became a state institution with intentional prioritization for their students to become farmers, engineers, and military officers. 

“Livestock judging class” photograph by Louis Edward Nollau F Series Photographic Print Collection (University of Kentucky).

By the 1920s-1930s, college life for men expanded to include more extracurriculars like Greek life, athletics, and student government roles. 

“Gym class, instructor, mixed calisthenics” photograph by Glass Plate Negative Collection (University of Kentucky)

Following World War II, thanks to the GI Bill which helped veterans afford college, UK’s male student population exploded into academic fields of science, law, and engineering, fueling UK’s development into a modern research university.

“Students in law class” photograph by Louis Edward Nollau F Series Photographic Print Collection (University of Kentucky)

Since the 1980s, and after Title IX, women’s enrollment at UK has surged, resulting in men no longer holding the numerical majority in the student body. 

“Memorial Hall interior, filled with students” photograph by Nollau, Louis Edward, 1883-1955.

I would highly encourage a visit to ExploreUK if you have further interest in their resources! Our future past is a plentiful one worthy of inquisitive minds and eager curiosity, for we must seek to understand in order to be understood.