Indiana University, Bloomington
This page is part of Henry’s USA Rail Trip.
Tuesday August 26th, Wednesday August 27th 1958
Have now spent two days at the University of Indiana at the meeting of Biological Societies which I mentioned in a recent letter.
The chief function here is the 50th Anniversary of the American Phytopathological Society (Society for Study of Plant Diseases). There have been some most interesting sessions. Quite a number of people from England are out here. Dr Wood from Imperial College, he has spent a year’s leave of absence in the USA; and several from Rothamsted; also Dr Garrett from the Botany School in Cambridge. Have also met Noel Hentje from Australia – you may remember I was an usher at his wedding in Norbiton, Surrey. 3,907 people have registered at this meeting which is an all-time record.
Bloomington is quite a small town, reached by train from Chicago. There is only one train each day. It’s a sunny, warm place, where one wears a short-sleeved shirt until a late hour, and it’s said to be quite cool at present for the time of year. Travelling down on the train, most of the scenery was trees & cornfields (maize).
It’s surprising what gadgets there are here. Last night I came across a coffee and chocolate machine, which dispenses hot coffee (black, with milk, with milk and sugar, with milk and double sugar according to button pressed) or hot chocolate (standard sweet grade!). This in paper cup for ten cents!
The university is beautifully equipped with modern buildings, and more are going up at present.
Below are Henry’s transparencies of buildings at the University of Indiana at Bloomington:
