SOF History

By Pamela Keech FS’82 & Margaret Brucia FH’92

The Association of Alumni of the American Academy in Rome (the A.A.A.A.R., colloquially “the A’s in R”), as it was then called, was formally instituted in a letter of May 26, 1910 from William Rutherford Mead to Lionel Moses. Mead writes, “The project to form a society of Roman Academy Alumni is commendable in every way, and I assure you that should the idea be carried out you may count upon my good will in every respect.” Members included architects, painters and sculptors who had won the Rome Prize and had completed their fellowship years in Rome. Its main objectives were much the same as those of the Society of Fellows today: to advance the interests and well being of the Academy and to maintain alumni connections. At various times in its history the organization has lain fallow but it has always regenerated itself, twice with a new name. In 1964 it became the Association of Fellows of the American Academy in Rome and in 1973 it became the Society of Fellows.

World War I, and the scattering of enlisted Fellows, almost resulted in the demise of the new organization, but it was reconstituted at a special meeting in New York where Lionel Moses was elected president, George W. Breck and Paul Manship vice presidents and Walter Kirby secretary-treasurer. The group published the first alumni newsletter, called “The Alumni Newsletter,” in May 1918, as a means of keeping in touch with Fellows in the service. Edited by Frank Fairbanks FP’12, this four page typewritten missive was issued two to four times a month, and cost $7.40 per issue to produce including postage. The light tone of these wartime newsletters contrasts with their content; farewells to those newly inducted, news from those at the front, and tales of monetary hardship and failing practices from those at home.

The Association was centered in New York City, where camaraderie helped soothe war worries. Many belonged to the Architectural League and met there on occasion. The artists met every Friday night, for a Dutch treat dinner at Keen’s Chop House (now Keen’s Steak House.) The architects kept a standing lunch reservation at the Peg Woffington Coffee House on 44th Street.

After the war, the Association began meeting at the Century Club in New York City and became concerned with the fostering of newly returned alumni whose several fellowship years abroad had resulted in the loss of professional connections. In 1919 it was decided, in consultation with the trustees, that the alumni mission would include the following agenda:

	1.		Meet Fellows before they go to Rome.
	2.		Watch them while in Rome.
	3.		Meet them on their return.
	4.		Offer free use of office, etc.
	5.		Get jobs for architects, painters and sculptors through Trustees watching for same and recommending.
	6.		Assist returning Fellows obtain employment.
	7.		Keep in touch with teaching jobs.

It is uncertain exactly when Fellows of the School of Classical Studies, which had become part of the Academy in 1910, were first invited to join the alumni association. A newsletter of March 15, 1921 states that new members included 16 archaeologists, three architects, two painters and two sculptors. Female scholars (all architecture and artist Fellows were male) were essentially token members — the Century Club, where meetings were held, did not admit women. The Century Club meetings were jovial affairs. Calling themselves “Sons of the Wolf,” the men regularly transported a nearly life-sized, hollow metal replica of Rome’s famous she-wolf from the Academy’s New York office to the club via taxi where they filled her with wine and drank from her teats.

A gap in archival holdings results in a leap forward to 1948, just after WWII. That September, President Dale Badgely FA’29 held a dinner to welcome those returning from Rome and to greet those going over.

In July 1959, President Olindo Grossi FA’36 circulated a newsletter to the alumni stating that the officers and council were earnestly attempting to revitalize the group. Innovations included the first-ever regional meetings, an annual meeting to coincide with the Philological & Archaeological meeting and the publication of a directory. Annual dues were $7.50. It was noted that the Wolf was in need of repair “you know where.” Sculptor Gifford Proctor FS’35 volunteered to mend her with silver solder.

In July 1959, President Olindo Grossi FA’36 circulated a newsletter to the alumni stating that the officers and council were earnestly attempting to revitalize the group. Innovations included the first-ever regional meetings, an annual meeting to coincide with the Philological & Archaeological meeting and the publication of a directory. Annual dues were $7.50. It was noted that the Wolf was in need of repair “you know where.” Sculptor Gifford Proctor FS’35 volunteered to mend her with silver solder.

The Alumni Association was less active in the 1960s and early 1970s, but was resurrected by Henry A. Millon FH’60, RH’66, who christened it the “Society of Fellows,” and Milton Lewine FH’61, RH’,73, who became president in 1973. Lewine became ill, and after he died in 1979, the Society fell into disarray. At about the same time, and without knowing of the existence of the Millon/Lewine group, Virginia Bush Suttman FH’77 spearheaded an effort to establish a new alumni group. Eventually, the two were united and under Suttman’s inspired leadership evolved into the group that exists today.

In the mid 1980s the group undertook the monumental task of publishing the Centennial Directory, a biographical encyclopedia of all Rome Prize winners and Residents of the American Academy in Rome, in honor of the upcoming 100th birthday of the Academy. Edited by Benjamin Kohl FR’71, and Academy staff Wayne Linker and Buff Suzanne Kavelman, it was published in 1995 by Italica Press.

The Society currently has about 900 living members including archaeologists, architects, classicists, artists, designers, historians, preservationists, conservators, composers, writers, art historians, critics and curators. Many are leaders in their fields. All individuals who have been awarded the Rome Prize by the American Academy in Rome, hold fellowships from certain affiliated institutions, or are selected as Residents become members at the completion of their time in Rome. A small pin in the shape of a rosette, designed by William Plumb FD’86 is presented to new members.

The current goals of the organization are to publish a twice-yearly newsletter, to expand the web-site, to record and archive oral histories of its members and Academy staff, and to publish an updated version of the Centennial Directory. The Society of Fellows will also continue to hold events and reunions throughout the United States, to cultivate outreach that will enhance the pool of applicants, and to help support the American Academy in Rome in any way possible.