The Williams School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Williams School |
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|---|---|
The former Williams Memorial Institute
building at 110 Broad Street |
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| Address | |
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182 Mohegan Ave
, Connecticut
06320
United States
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| Coordinates | 41°22′35″N 72°06′14″W / 41.3763°N 72.1038°W |
| Information | |
| Former name | The Williams Memorial Institute |
| School type | Private |
| Established | 1891 |
| Founder | Harriet Peck Williams |
| Head of school | Mark Fader |
| Grades | 6-12 |
| Enrollment | 236 |
| Color(s) | Blue and white |
| Mascot | The Blues |
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Williams Memorial Institute
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| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002876 |
| Added to NRHP | January 30, 1978 |
The Williams School is a private school in New London, Connecticut. It teaches students from 6th grade all the way to 12th grade. The school was started in 1891 by Harriet Peck Williams. She named it the Williams Memorial Institute (WMI) to honor her son, Thomas W. Williams II. He was a well-known merchant who worked with whaling ships.
The school first opened at 110 Broad Street in New London. Later, in 1954, it moved and joined with Connecticut College. Even though they joined, The Williams School is still its own separate school. The first building became a courthouse in 1972. The state of Connecticut bought it in 1997.
Contents
The School's History
Where It All Began
The very first building for The Williams School was at 110 Broad Street. It was built between 1889 and 1891. The building was designed by a famous architecture firm called Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. They used a style called Richardsonian Romanesque. You can see this style in other buildings in New London too.
The first school building was quite large. It could hold up to 300 students. It had seven classrooms, a gym, science labs, and a library. In 1978, this old building was added to the National Register of Historic Places because of its special design. Since 1972, it has been used as a state court.
The First Leader
Colin Sherman Buell was the first president of the Williams Memorial Institute. He was very important in helping women get a better education. Mr. Buell wanted to make the Memorial Institute into a college just for women. However, this plan did not work out because there was not enough interest.
Later, Wesleyan College in Middletown stopped letting women attend. So, Mr. Buell worked with Elizabeth Wright. Together, they helped start Connecticut College. They got a lot of money for this, including $135,000 from New London and $1 million from Morton F. Plant. Mr. Buell later became a member of the college's board.
A School for Girls
For many years, WMI was the main high school for girls in New London. Girls from nearby towns also came to study there. This continued until a new school, New London High School, opened in 1951.
Joining Connecticut College
A New Home
On February 18, 1954, the Williams Memorial Institute began talking about moving. They wanted to be closer to the Connecticut College campus. The new location is on Mohegan Avenue. Moving the school cost $200,000. Connecticut College had to agree to all the plans for the move. The schools signed a ten-year contract. This contract could be renewed every five years after the first ten years.
The Current Campus
Today, The Williams School is located on the southern part of the Connecticut College campus. It is near a building called Palmer Auditorium. The architects who designed the current school building were Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon. They also designed other buildings for Connecticut College. The school building was made bigger on November 24, 1964. This allowed it to teach more students. Even though the school is now called The Williams School, its official legal name is still The Williams Memorial Institute.
How the School Grew
In 1955, Williams added a middle school. This meant students in 7th and 8th grades could now attend. Then, in 1971, the school became co-educational. This means both boys and girls could attend classes together.
Working with Connecticut College
The Williams School and Connecticut College have a special relationship. Students who are studying to become teachers at Connecticut College can practice teaching at The Williams School. Also, the college helps The Williams School with money. This was one of the first times a college and a high school worked together like this. The two schools are separate, but they help each other. Connecticut College does not control what The Williams School teaches or its after-school activities.
Notable Alumni
Many talented people have graduated from The Williams School. Here are a few:
- Valerie Azlynn - an actress
- Noah Bean - an actor
- Alzada Comstock - a professor of economics
- Susan DiBona - a film composer
- Grace L. Drake - an Ohio state politician
- Jesse Metcalfe - an actor
- Ann Haven Morgan - a professor of biology
- Clancy Philbrick - an artist
- Stephen Trask - a composer
- Cassie Ventura - a model and singer
