The most enduring of all the traditions at UNH was the wearing of the freshman beanie. The first beanie, a "substantial blue cap with a white button", was introduced in 1909. The purpose of the beanies was to help the newcomers know who was who and to promote a sense of class spirit.
The length of time the beanies had to be worn varied from year to year. Usually by Thanksgiving or after the first football victory (which ever came first), the beanies were no longer required head covering.
Clyde Quimby, class of 1933, donated his beanies to the UNH museum with a note explaining, "When freshman rules were let go, a huge fire was built to burn the beanies and tie, but I couldn't do it by nature."
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