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Camp Gallistella /Tent Colony Collection

Located on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin, Camp Gallistella, also known as the Tent Colony, was a temporary summer home for up to as many as 300 graduate students and their families. The colony existed between 1912 and 1962 and provided family housing in the form of camp sites and camp activities for graduate students, and their spouses and children. This unique housing practice ended in 1962 with the construction of Eagle Heights Apartments which served the same general demographic.

Through most of its existance, Albert and Eleanor Gallistel served as the Colony's on-site supervisors. Each summer from 1919 to 1959, the Gallistels moved from their in-town home to a cottage at the east end of the Colony. Over time, the Tent Colony became known as Camp Gallistella.

Camp Gallistella organized itself much like a city. Each summer the families elected a mayor, clerk, constable, sanitary commissioner, postmaster, newspaper editor, and several alderman. Conditions were rustic, akin to camping. For many years, electricity was available in the study halls only and individual tents were lit with kerosene lamps. The camp also employed a recreation director to supervise children's activities while parents attended class or performed campground chores.

The materials in this collection provide insight into this unique housing environment through photographs, maps, camp newsletters and other historic materials that document life at Camp Gallistella. This collection includes the following titles:

  • Camp Gallistella photo album (1950-1959) (1950-1959)
  • Camp Gallistella historic documentation (1912-1961) (1942-1961)
  • Gallistella breezes: camp newsletter (1932-1960)

Additional information about the history of Camp Gallistella:

  • University housing: Camp Gallistella, tent colony (1937-1983)
  • Lakeshore Nature Preserve website

For more information about this collection, related items held in the Archives or Camp Gallistella history, contact the UW-Madison Archives.

Camp Gallistella /Tent Colony Collection

Located on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin, Camp Gallistella, also known as the Tent Colony, was a temporary summer home for up to as many as 300 graduate students and their families. The colony existed between 1912 and 1962 and provided family housing in the form of camp sites and camp activities for graduate students, and their spouses and c…
Image Source: Plat of the tenting colony, July 1960, from Camp Gallistella historic documentation (1912-1961)

Camp Gallistella /Tent Colony Collection Sample items in the collection

  • JournalGallistella breezes
  • Camp Gallistella photo album (1950-1959)
  • Camp Gallistella historic documentation (1912-1961)
  • launch Search or browse the collection
  • This compilation (including design, introductory text, organization, and descriptive material) is copyrighted by University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

    This copyright is independent of any copyright on specific items within the collection. Because the University of Wisconsin Libraries generally do not own the rights to materials in these collections, please consult copyright or ownership information provided with individual items.

    Images, text, or other content downloaded from the collection may be freely used for non-profit educational and research purposes, or any other use falling within the purview of "Fair Use".

    In all other cases, please consult the terms provided with the item, or contact the Libraries.

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