Countdown to the 100th: the 1920s

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We are officially kicking off our Countdown to the 100th this month!!! Hard to believe that in just 9 months, we will be celebrating our huge centennial celebration – we just cannot wait!!

As we countdown this year, we will focus on a different decade each month, highlighting some fun facts and showing you some cool pictures from that time period. Throughout this year, we have many exciting things to share about our summer celebration…we have so much planned! We will be updating the Blog and our social media often, so check back soon. Let’s get going with the 1920s!

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Fun facts about the 1920s:

  • Greystone originally started in Tennessee on Greystone Mountain, which is how it got its name of “Camp Greystone”.
  • Dr. Sevier started Greystone so that girls could learn to swim; he couldn’t believe how many girls in the 1920s didn’t know how!
  • Eight-four campers attended that first summer in 1920.
  • In 1920, Morning Assembly consisted of songs, a prayer, an update on current world events, and a short talk from a speaker.
  • In 1922, Greystone moved to Tuxedo, NC – where we have camp now.
  • When starting that first summer in Tuxedo, Dr. Sevier built the Dining Hall, Pavilion, and designed the Pageant Court.
  • In the 1920s, Greystone offered one eight-week session, and girls stayed for the entire eight weeks.
  • The Pageant Court was called the Pageant Court because it served as a stage for dance and drama performances. Girls would sit on the sloped hill and watch the “pageant” shows.
  • Lake Edith was named after Dr. Sevier’s wife Edith.
  • Greystone’s first cabins were WW1 army barracks that were converted into cabins for campers.
  • Campers and counselors competed in many competitions in the early years, including basketball games and canoe races.

Traditions started in the 1920s:

  • Green and Gold teams
  • Vespers
  • Closing Banquet with Toasts
  • Council Fire
  • Sunday whites
  • Cup awards given
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1920s timeline:

1920: Greystone’s first year!!
1921: Rest Hour begins and is called “quiet hour”
1922: Greystone moves to Tuxedo, NC!
1923: First riding meet and first banquet theme
1925: Crackers and milk begins after Evening Program
1928: First July birthday party celebrated (later changed name to Birthday Ball)

Did You Know?

  1. In 1922, girls enjoyed the following foods as their Banquet feast: Chicken salad, stuffed tomatoes, potato chips, olives, crackers, mints, fruit punch, ice cream in camp colors, and delicious cakes.
  2. Popular activities in the 1920s included canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, dance (aesthetic and folk), theatrics, and bible.
  3. In 1920, the songs Hail Greystone Hail and Round the Blazing Council Fire’s Light were written; we still sing these songs 100 years later!
  4. In 1920, the daily schedule included morning calisthenics exercise, flag raising, breakfast, putting your tent and cottage in order, Morning Assembly, sports activities, supper, and campfire time, which included singing and evening devotions.
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Banquet themes in the 1920s:

1925: Riding theme
1927: Peter Pan
1928: Baghdad
1929: Circus

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Dr. Sevier: Greystone’s Founder and Director

“Camp has one purpose: the Glory of God. This driving purpose is why Greystone was founded in the first place. Dr. Sevier was at the top of his career as a minister (pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Augusta; the President of the United States visited his parish and ate dinner with the family). He gave up the ‘Personal Glory’ for a higher calling, to start a girls’ camp. He never made any money at this and never expected to do so…throughout the years, God has blessed camp in a variety of ways. When we Glorify Him, all the other details just seem to fall into place.” -Jimboy Miller, taken from a 2013 blog post