Ipswich Female Seminary facts for kids

The Ipswich Female Seminary was an important school for young women in Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA. It was one of the first schools to offer advanced education for girls. On average, about 116 students attended the seminary. Records show that 88 graduates became teachers, often working as missionaries in the western and southern parts of the country.

History of the Ipswich Female Seminary

The building used by the Ipswich Female Seminary was built in 1825. A group of people formed a company to build it. This company was overseen by a board of trustees. They managed the school for about 24 years. Later, a new owner and principal, Rev. John P. Cowles, bought the building.

A school for young women opened in the building right away. It was started by Rev. Hervey Wilbur, who was a teacher and lectured about astronomy. He had help from several skilled women teachers. After Wilbur, Rev. James M. Ward took over. Under his leadership, the school welcomed both boys and girls.

Founding by Zilpah P. Grant and Mary Lyon

In 1828, Miss Zilpah P. Grant and her assistant, Miss Mary Lyon, moved their school to Ipswich. They had been teaching young women in Derry, New Hampshire. The trustees of the Ipswich school invited them to come. Grant had been a teacher and Lyon a student at a school for girls in Byfield, Massachusetts.

Under their leadership, the school became very well-known. Students came from all over the United States and even from other countries. Sometimes, Lyon would leave to teach her winter school. Grant also left sometimes to improve her health.

Changes and Closure of the Seminary

In 1835, Mary Lyon left her job at Ipswich Seminary. She spent her time and energy creating Mount Holyoke College. This new college opened in 1837 in South Hadley, Massachusetts. With Lyon gone and Grant's health declining, Grant decided to resign in 1839.

The trustees then took over the Seminary. They hired different teachers and kept a smaller school going until 1844. In 1844, the school reopened. It was led by Eunice Caldwell Cowles, who had graduated from Ipswich, and her husband, John P. Cowles. He was a minister.

The school was renamed "Female Seminary" in 1848. The Cowles family, with the help of good teachers, ran the Seminary. It continued with different levels of success until it closed in the fall of 1876. The school closed because more public schools were opening. This meant there was less need for private schools like the Seminary.

What Students Studied

Students were not accepted based on tests. If they were old enough, they could apply. Then, they were placed into classes based on their skills and what they already knew. Their parents' wishes and their future plans were also considered.

The school mainly focused on training girls to become teachers and missionaries. It had a "rigorous curriculum," meaning it was very challenging. Students studied English, math, geography, and chemistry. They also learned about human physiology, history, and natural sciences. Religion, vocal music, and calisthenics (exercises) were also part of the studies. The school had a chemistry lab and good equipment for science.

Teachers encouraged students to ask questions and analyze things. They wanted students to understand deeply, not just memorize. As part of their training, students practiced teaching. They got guidance from their teachers during this practice.

When students finished the full course of study, they graduated. There were public ceremonies and they received a diploma. Giving diplomas to young women was a new idea. Grant started this practice at her previous school in Derry. She brought it to Ipswich. For many years, Ipswich was the only school for young women that gave out diplomas. The official list of courses did not always show how much work was done. Students who were very good often learned more than what was required.

How the School Was Supported

The Ipswich Female Seminary was mostly supported by tuition fees. Tuition is the money students pay to attend school. It received very little help from other sources. Sometimes, people would give money to help deserving students. However, the school never had a large amount of money saved up.

The costs for boarding (living at the school) and tuition were always kept low. The teachers worked hard to encourage simplicity in dress, manners, and character. This helped make the school affordable for young women. It meant that girls who were not from wealthy families could still get a good education.

Where Students Lived

Students lived in private boarding-houses. Usually, four to twelve students lived in one family's home. The students' health was very good. During the 32 years the Cowles family ran the school, only two students died while attending. One of those students was already sick when she arrived.

This good health was likely due to several things. The school building was sunny and airy. There were only a few students in each boarding-house. Students also exercised daily outdoors. Their regular study habits also helped keep them healthy.