The Sophian

Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: Features

Year Built: 1902
Capacity: 79
Singles: 29
Doubles: 18
Location: Henshaw Street, on Upper Elm

You may know it as the "big yellow barn" on campus, or perhaps as the house located next to Public Safety's new headquarters. Welcome to Parsons Complex, home of the "Pantsless Parsons" and one of the most unique historic backgrounds on campus.

The land on which Parsons House now stands is said to have been purchased by Joseph Parsons from Native Americans in 1645, decades prior to the first settlement of the town of Northampton. The Parsons family called the property home for over 200 years until it was acquired by Miss Bessie Capen for use as a dormitory, library and performance hall for her school, the Capen School, in the early 1900s. The house was acquired by Smith in 1921, and subsequently renamed after the Parsons family. The Annex, hidden just behind the House, was purchased by the college in 1968 and underwent a complete renovation in 2001.

Parsonites boast several traditions that are unique to Smith. Pioneering Parsonites launched alumnae teas last year, inviting ex-Parsonites to partake once more in one of the most treasured Smith traditions - house teas. Although Parsons is a relatively small house, it also claims the distinction of being one of the few Smith houses that orders out for senior banquet. Parsons was also one of several in-house dining halls that were closed in the 2004-2005 school year due to financial woes.

Parsons is home to a unique variety of Smithies that cannot be easily classified. Parsons does not claim the "rowdy" badge that has come to be associated with the Quad, nor does it possess the stereotypical studiousness of Green Street housing. Parsons is instead home to the rowdy and the studious, and the two get along quite well.

If being centrally located is a major concern of yours, you might be better off elsewhere. But if a close-knit community of (pantsless!) scholars, athletes and individuals sounds good to you, check out Parsons Complex!

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools