[ABOVE] Taken on June 14, 1899, this is the earliest known photograph taken at a Commencement ceremony at what had just become known as Connecticut Agricultural College. The event was held on the front lawn, and this view is facing east toward Horsebarn Hill and Valentine Meadow across what would become Route 195.

[BELOW] Two close-ups from the photograph above give a glimpse of the clothing worn by women attending the ceremony on what may have been a warm day in mid-June 1899. The second photo below shows children - siblings of a graduate? - also attended the ceremony.