Keys, top hats and banners: A porter's life
Porters have played an important role in the College for many years, and this exhibition celebrates their changing roles and responsibilities since the mid-19th century.
Great Gate
The front of the College looking down St. John's Street to Bridge Street, with the tower of old All Saints Church casting a shadow across the street. A porter in a stove-pipe hat stands in front of the gate. The photo is undated but it is most likely from the period between 1855 and 1863, when the railing replaced the former wall on the south-east street frontage and St John’s Lane was stopped and the old infirmary building demolished. (SJPH/1/3)
John William Young
John William Young, Chapel Clerk & Porter, was guaranteed on a retirement a pension of 23s*. a week on 30 May 1919 after 47 years’ service to the College College records indicate that the roles of Chapel Clerk and Porter were occasionally combined or an individual would move from the Chapel to the Porters’ Lodge over the course of their career with the College. (SJPH/1/12) *this would be roughly £25 a week today
Pension to a retiring porter
Entry in the Council Minutes referring to John William Young's pension, dated June 1919. (CM-1919)
Junior Dean's register
Junior Dean's register, 1832, In the 19th century there were still two Deans responsible for discipline within the College. The Junior Dean administered the disciplinary regulations for 2nd –years and freshmen. These rules and regulations related to Chapel attendance, punctuality, dress and other issues of daily life. They were enforced by fines, which the Porters collected. The Junior Dean was also responsible for outlining the duties of the Senior & Junior Porters at the Front Gate. (DS3/8)
Junior Dean's register 2
List of rules and regulations which the Junior Dean enforced with the help of the Porters. (DS3/8)
Address books
Page from Porters' Address books for College members and servants, 1887-1950. The volume is open to Cecil Beaton’s first year in College in 1922. (His name is listed under freshmen) Some College servants are listed in the back of the volumes. (SJAR/3/1/8)
New Court Porters’ Duties
Manuscript list of porters' duties for New Court, document also mentions pay for Chapel Clerk and Porters, c. 1861 (SJAR/3/1/2/4)
Porters’ clothing account
Porters' clothing account, 1911-1978, giving details of names of porters and hats and coats issued to them. (SJAR/3/1/15/1)
Porters’ clothing account 2
Lists of items purchased as part of the Porters' uniforms. (SJAR/3/1/15/1)
Coronation Week & Vacation Duty
Duty sheet issued by Head Porter, GC Bowles, listing responsibilities for the week of George VI’s coronation on 12 May 1937; subjects covered include raising the flag, opening the gates and locking up. The sheet lists those responsible for each task, some are initialled. (SJAR/3/1/2/9)
Porters’ Instructions
Porters’ Instructions, 1931-1946. Two volumes, containing typescript-pastedown and manuscript instructions and references for porters, organised alphabetically: subjects include academic dress, bed-makers' reports, days for hoisting the flag, social conduct, gramophones, tips and top hats. Volume 1 contains instructions and references for porters based at the Front Gate Lodge and Volume 2 contains instructions Forecourt Lodge. (SJAR/3/1/2/10/1-2)
Porters’ Instructions 2
Instructions to Porters on how to go about their job in the College's lodges. (SJAR/3/1/2/10/1-2)
Air Raid precautions
Papers concerning preparations for war-time emergencies during WWI and WWII outlining duties and responsibilities in the event of an attack by hostile aircraft, 1915-1945 (SJAR/3/1/2/11)
Keys
A collection of College keys, c.1850-1940, with letters of explanation indicating which door or gate they should open. It has always been the Porters’ responsibility to maintain and distribute keys within the College. (SJEP/5/1)
