Immortalized in the alma mater as “columns so fair,” the four Ionic white columns that support Hood’s historic Alumnae Hall are named Hope, Opportunity, Obligation and Democracy—the first letters spelling HOOD—and they were dedicated by the Classes of 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918, and put into place in 1914.
According to the Frederick Post, the columns each cost about $400 and the classes pledged to raise the money through a variety of fundraising activities. Also according to the newspaper, the workmen were very interested in the columns—so much so that a piece of paper with each man’s name was tossed into the middle of the columns during the installation process!
For many, they define the spirit and principles of a Hood education.
