Emma Willard House facts for kids
|
Emma Willard House
|
|
The original section of the Emma Willard House
|
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 131 S. Main St., Middlebury, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 2.1 acres (0.85 ha) |
| Built | 1809 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000798 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
The Emma Willard House is a historic building located at 131 South Main Street in Middlebury, Vermont, United States. It was built in 1809 and was the home of Emma Willard from 1809 to 1819. Emma Willard (1787–1870) was a very important person who helped create better education for girls and women in the United States.
In 1814, Emma Willard started a school for girls right in her home. It was called the Middlebury Female Seminary. This school was an early version of the famous Emma Willard School. That school is a private boarding and university preparatory school for girls. It was opened by Willard in 1821 in Troy, New York. The Emma Willard House was recognized as a special National Historic Landmark in 1965. Today, it is used by the Middlebury College Admissions Office.
Contents
What Does the Emma Willard House Look Like?
The Emma Willard House is on the south side of South Main Street. It is across from the main part of the Middlebury College Campus. The main part of the house is a two-and-a-half story building made of brick. It has a sloped roof and a strong stone foundation.
There is also a two-story brick section that extends from the back. A wooden section is attached to this part. The house has a simple, classic style from the early 1800s. The windows and doors have stone frames above them. The main front door has small windows on the sides and above it. The inside of the house also shows this classic style.
Who Was Emma Willard?
The house was built in 1809 for Dr. John Willard and Emma Willard. They got married that same year. Emma Hart Willard was born in 1787. She learned a lot at home and became interested in teaching when she was young.
She moved to Middlebury and helped run a girls' academy there. She also studied the courses offered at Middlebury College. This helped her see what kind of education girls could have.
Emma Willard's School for Girls
In 1814, Emma Willard opened her Middlebury Female Seminary. She ran this school from her family home to earn more money. She continued the school there until 1819.
In 1818, she suggested a plan for a new kind of women's school to the New York State government. However, her idea was not accepted at that time. But the people of Troy, New York offered her a building to start her school.
The Famous Troy Female Seminary
Emma Willard's school officially opened in 1821 in Troy, New York. It was called the Troy Female Seminary. Today, it is known as the Emma Willard School. Besides managing the school, she taught classes herself. She also wrote textbooks, including books on geography and history. These books were used by many students.
Emma Willard stopped managing the school in 1838. But she kept working to improve schools in general. She especially focused on making education better for girls and women.
