Tumbler (Archaeological Find)
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Title:
Tumbler
Subject:
From the beginning of Harvard College in 1636 until the late 19th century, the institution placed an emphasis on the Puritan religion that it was founded on. For instance, the Harvard motto “Veritas” used to be “Veritas pro Christo et Ecclesia” meaning Truth for Christ and Church. Harvard used to ban activities like smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol because of its Puritan roots. In 1869, a new President of the University, Charles W. Eliot, strayed away from the theology and to a more open environment. This meant less of a focus on religion and more of a focus on a secular education.
The discovery of a 19th century glass tumbler at Harvard implies that there were people on campus who did consume alcohol. Tumblers, though, were commonly used for special occasions, which indicates that the consumption of alcohol on campus was not a recreation done by students in the shelter of their dorms, but more like a refreshment enjoyed by staff, professors, and of age students possibly over dinner. Basically, this implies that Harvard had a more accepting attitude about drinking alcohol at the end of the 19th century.
In addition to more lenient rules on alcohol, in 1886, Harvard abolished the required Morning Prayer and made the practice of religion optional. This is a clear indication that the administration became less religious in the 19th century. There are also pictures of dining halls in the early 20th century at Harvard with tumblers lining the tables and a drawing of a dining hall in the early 19th century with no tumblers in sight. These both confirm the notion that Harvard progressively became more secular near the end of the 19th century.
Source:
https://www.peabody.harvard.edu/files/FINAL.Dig_.Ver_.rack_.updt%20for%20web.pdf
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/types-of-glassware-their-uses/
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/3/8/harvards-secularization-harvard-has-never-been/
Object Name:
Tumbler
Inventory Description:
Glass Fragment Tumbler
Peabody Number:
2016.29.308
Culture/Period:
19th Century
Intrasite:
H944 Level 2
Depth:
65-75
Class 1:
Glass
Class 2:
Fragment
Class 3:
Tumbler
Quantity:
1
Height (cm):
3
Width (cm):
11
Depth/Thickness (cm):
2