New Ocean House and Pergola in Swampscott, Massachusetts

Early 1900's View

Site of Many Fraternity and Sorority Conventions

FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the United States. Shipping Worldwide is $1.65.

“I strive to deliver 5-star customer service” 

PLEASE view pictures of this item in upper left for condition and for any flaws or concerns that may exist. Please contact me before you bid if you have any questions.

This wonderful old white border postcard is a great addition to any collection.

C.T. American Art Postcard
Number: A-86793
Postmarked Wampscott, Massachusetts September 23, 1924
Postcard measures 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches

From the 1920s until the 1960s, the  New Ocean House in Swampscott, Massachusetts, was the site of many conventions, including those of fraternities and sororities.

Alpha Chi Omega’s 1924 convention took place at the New Ocean House. Kappa Kappa Gammas gathered there in 1932. Delta Gamma’s 1948 Diamond Jubilee Convention* was held there, too. Delta Delta Delta celebrated its Golden Anniversary at the New Ocean House in 1938. It was the site of Pi Beta Phi’s 1946 and 1958 conventions.

Fraternities also used the New Ocean House for their gatherings. Phi Gamma Delta’s 1929 and 1958 Ekklesiai took place there as did Kappa Sigma’s 1949 Grand Conclave.

The Ocean House was built in 1835; in 1864, it was destroyed by fire.  Another hotel was moved to the site and took on the name Ocean House. It, too, was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1882. R.W. Carter who had purchased the hotel a year earlier, rebuilt it and in 1884, it debuted as the 250-room New Ocean House. R. W. Carter sold the hotel in 1895. In 1902,  Allen Ainsile and Edward Grabow purchased it. Among the amenities were electric call bells in the rooms, a telephone and an elevator. An even more improved and bigger hotel opened in 1904 after another fire. In 1917, the seven-story Puritan Hall was opened, increasing the number of rooms to more than 500.

In 1914, while a student at Harvard University, Clement Kennedy applied for a summer job. In 1926, Colonel Kennedy, as he was known, was elected President and General Manager of the hotel. In 1949, a newspaper article boasted that his job included keeping happy and contented 45,000 guests a summer season. It was also noted that the New Ocean House paid its property taxes on the day the town issued tax bills. President John F. Kennedy, Helen Keller, Harpo Marx, Lucille Ball, Babe Ruth, Herbert Hoover, Walter Brennan, and Sinclair Lewis were among the hotel’s honored guests over the years.

In 1961, a million dollar renovation was completed. On May 8, 1969, at about 10 p.m., the lobby was engulfed in flames. Firefighters from all of New England helped fight the fire and pool water was even used to help combat the blaze.

After the 1969 fire, condominiums were built on some of the land. The only visible remnant of the New Ocean House is the cement exedra seat on the Puritan Road side of the street where the swimming pool had been.

PLEASE read carefully the description, conditions, and cost BEFORE you bid. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. PayPal is the preferred method of payment and payment is expected immediately after the invoice is sent and received by the buyer. I only ship items through the United States Postal Service (USPS), but NOT responsible for their deliveries. Also, if you would like to combine shipping and cost, the payment for all of the items must be combined into one PayPal payment, so please request or wait for a combined invoice from me. Thank you for your interest.

If a purchase consists of a large volume or bulk sale of items or postcards, there may be an additional shipping (mailing) charge that will be determined based on size and weight of the total purchase and destination.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS – Please Note:
I am not responsible for customs delays or customs fees if applicable. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying if concerned.

Your bid is an acceptance of the above terms and conditions.
Good Luck and Thank You for your interest.