2. Dalton Bookbag

Students used Dalton bookbags that came from the Dalton bookstore for many years. As books got heavier, the book bags gave way to backpacks.

“I came to Dalton in 2nd grade in 1967. As summer drew to a close every year, I would anticipate with excitement the start of school — which also meant getting new clothes, shoes, and school supplies. I looked forward to gathering the tools of school — pens and pencils, rulers, notebooks… And in my early years at Dalton, I got to put it all in a blue Dalton drawstring bookbag. Incidentally, the blue color of the bookbags, frequently referred to as “Dalton Blue,” is believed to have been chosen by Helen Parkhurst.

I remember my first bookbag; I slung it over one shoulder or the other. That was all it could do but it was perfect. It reminded me that I was a part of Dalton and when I packed up and slung it over my shoulder, I was ready for my day, or my next class. When the bags wore thin and started to fray, they were replaced with brand new ones from the Dalton bookstore.

Eventually, books got heavier and the bookbags gave way to backpacks. I don’t know when the bookbags went away completely but I hope a few were saved.”

—Laurie Parker ’77