Bethlehem Female Seminary facts for kids
The Bethlehem Female Seminary was a very important school for girls. It opened in 1742 in Germantown, Philadelphia. This school was the first Protestant boarding school for girls in what is now the United States. Later, it changed its name to the Moravian Female Seminary. In 1863, it became Moravian College.
History of the School
The Bethlehem Female Seminary was started by Countess Benigna Zinzendorf. She founded the school in 1742. In 1745, the school moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
When it first opened, the seminary was an elementary school. It taught young girls who were about five or six years old. By 1785, many more students wanted to join. So, the school changed to a secondary school. This means it taught older girls. It also changed its name to the Moravian Female Seminary. From then on, girls from all different religious groups could attend.
After 1785, the school accepted girls between eight and fifteen years old. Students came from many places. They came from New England, Maryland, South Carolina, Nova Scotia, and even the West Indies. By the 1800s, over seven thousand girls had studied there.
In the late 1700s, the yearly cost was about £20 (pounds). This covered basic subjects like reading, writing, and math. It also included geometry and sewing. Some special classes cost extra. These included needlework, music, and drawing. Other things like clothes, books, and medicine were charged separately.
The Bethlehem Female Seminary was started by the Moravian Church. The school focused on teaching faith and helping students learn a lot.
What Girls Studied
The Bethlehem Female Seminary wanted girls to learn many useful skills. Since it started, the school believed something important. They thought that "when you educate a woman, you educate an entire family." This idea meant that educating girls was very important for everyone. This modern way of thinking showed in what they taught.
At first, girls learned reading, writing, and math. They also studied grammar, geography, and history. Other subjects included astronomy, music, German, and English. The school also taught important home skills. These included sewing and needlework.
When the school became the Moravian Female Seminary in 1785, it changed its classes. The subjects were put into five main groups:
- Spiritual and moral guidance (learning about faith and good behavior)
- Intellectual and cultural pursuits (learning about ideas and arts)
- Vocational training (learning skills for a job or life)
- Social cultivation (learning how to act in society)
- Physical exercise (staying active and healthy)
Other Connections
The Bethlehem Female Seminary was a model for other schools. These schools were also based on the ideas of the Moravian Church. The seminary was also connected to a Moravian boys' boarding school. This school was called Nazareth Hall.
See also
- Female seminary
- Women's education in the United States
- List of coordinate colleges
