Frederick William Gunn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick William Gunn
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Gunn's carte-de-visite, 1860s
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| Born | October 4, 1816 Washington, Connecticut
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| Died | August 16, 1881 (aged 64) Washington, Connecticut
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| Education | Yale University |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Spouse(s) |
Abigail Irene Brinsmade
(m. 1848) |
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Frederick William Gunn (born October 4, 1816 – died August 16, 1881) was an important American educator. He was also an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. He loved the outdoors too.
In 1850, Gunn started The Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut. This school was special because it was also home to America's first summer camp. Gunn was a brave thinker who wasn't afraid to challenge old ideas. He faced difficulties because of his strong beliefs against slavery.
Despite this, he returned to his hometown. There, the local library and history museum were named after him and his wife, Abigail. Gunn was a great example for his community. His school welcomed everyone, including girls, African Americans, Native Americans, and students from other countries.
Famous abolitionists like Harriet Beecher Stowe (who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin) sent their children to his school. Gunn was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people find freedom. He also created new ways of teaching and is known for starting leisure camping in the United States. He even appears in what might be the first photo of a baseball game!
Early Life and Education
Frederick William Gunn was born in Washington, Connecticut, on October 4, 1816. He was the youngest of eight sons. His father, John Northrup, was a farmer and a respected deputy sheriff. His mother was Mary (Polly) Ford.
Sadly, both of Gunn's parents died when he was just 10 years old. They passed away during a widespread illness. His oldest brother, John, then raised and educated him.
Gunn went to school in Cornwall, Connecticut, in 1829. Later, he studied with Rev. Watson W. Andrews in Washington from 1831 to 1833. In 1834, he started at Yale University. There, he focused on biology.
He was also known for his athletic abilities. At that time, college sports were just beginning. A former student, U.S. Senator Orville H. Platt, said Gunn would have been a top athlete if he had been in college later.
Some of his classmates became very famous. These included Morrison Waite, who became Chief Justice of the United States. William M. Evarts and Edwards Pierrepont both served as U.S. Attorney General. Another classmate, Benjamin Silliman Jr., was a chemistry professor at Yale.
Gunn married Abigail Irene Brinsmade in 1848. He passed away at his home in Washington, Connecticut, on August 16, 1881.
Nature and Camping Adventures
Frederick Gunn is known as the founder of leisure camping in the United States. The American Camp Association recognizes him for this. He combined his beliefs about ending slavery with his love for nature. He also believed that physical fitness and sports were important for education.
In 1861, Gunn led his students on a 40-mile march. They walked from Washington to Milford, Connecticut. At Welch's Point, the students camped, fished, and cooked over a fire. They also practiced military drills. This helped prepare them for service in the Union Army during the Civil War.
After the war, these camping trips became very popular. Gunn had held camps in Milford in 1861, 1863, and 1865. So, he started a summer program at Point Beautiful on Lake Waramaug. This lake was four miles from his school.
He invited former students, parents, and friends to join the camping fun. They enjoyed evening sing-alongs, fishing, swimming, and boating. These camps continued from 1867 until 1879. That was two years before Gunn's death.
In 1893, a former student named A.S. Gregg Clarke brought back the old Gunnery camp. He then founded the Keewaydin Camps. These are the oldest summer camps in North America that have run continuously.
In 1986, the American Camp Association celebrated the 125th anniversary of Gunn's first summer camp. They recreated the 1861 walk to Milford. About 1,500 campers from around the world camped at Gulf Beach.
Today, Gunn's first camps are remembered every year in early October. This is close to his birthday. The students, teachers, staff, families, and alumni from his school hike at Steep Rock Preserve. This preserve was started in 1889 by Ehrick Rossiter, another former student.
