Artifact — Visiting Cards
Visiting cards of students in the first year of CU’s Prep School, 1877-1878.
Visiting cards, also known as calling cards, were popular among both men and women in the 19th century. People making a social visit to a home would present themselves by leaving a card, often with a domestic servant. Specific etiquette depended on age and status. Whether plain or elaborately decorated, the card typically listed only the bearer’s name, leaving space for a message.
These cards belonged to Timothy Stanton (1883), a member of CU’s Prep School in 1877-78. Stanton subsequently enrolled at CU, graduating with the university’s second class. He went on to a distinguished career in paleontology.
These cards, now part of the CU Heritage Center’s collection, belonged to 1883 graduate Timothy Stanton.
Prep School at CU
The first year of classes at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä, 1877-1878, were all preparatory school classes — essentially high school classes intended to prepare students for college-level work.
52 students completed the first year of Prep School classes:
- 16 Women
- 36 Men
Learn more about the CU Heritage Center and its exhibits and collections.
Photo by Casey A. Cass (top)/ Courtesy CU Heritage Center