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 to 12th grade. The school began in 1891 as the Williams Memorial Institute (WMI). Harriet Peck Williams started it to honor her son, Thomas W. Williams II. He was a famous merchant who worked with whaling ships.
The school was first located at 110 Broad Street in New London. In 1954, it moved when it 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 bought it in 1997.
Contents
The School's History
Where It All Started
The first building for The Williams School was at 110 Broad Street. It was built between 1889 and 1891. The building was designed by Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. This company took over from a famous architect named H. H. Richardson. The building was made in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This style can be seen in other buildings in New London.
The school building could hold 300 students. It had seven classrooms, a gym, science labs, and a library. In 1978, the old WMI building was added to the National Register of Historic Places because of its special design. Since 1972, it has been used as a state courthouse. The state bought the building in 1997.
First Leader of the School
Colin Sherman Buell was the first president of The Williams Memorial Institute. He was important for helping women get a better education. Buell wanted to make the Memorial Institute into a college for women. However, this plan did not happen because there was not enough interest.
Later, Wesleyan College in Middletown stopped letting women attend. Buell then worked with Elizabeth Wright. They helped create Connecticut College. They used $135,000 from New London and $1 million from Morton F. Plant. Buell later became a member of the college's board of trustees.
A High School for Girls
For many years, WMI was the high school for girls in New London. Girls from nearby towns also went there. This continued until New London High School opened in 1951.
Joining With Connecticut College
The Agreement to Move
On February 18, 1954, The Williams Memorial Institute began talking about moving. They wanted to be closer to the Connecticut College campus. This move cost $200,000. The college had to agree to all the terms of the move. The agreement was for ten years. After that, it would be renewed every five years.
The New Location
The Williams School is now located on the south side of the Connecticut College campus. It is near Palmer Auditorium. The architects who designed the new 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 more students to attend. The school changed its common name to The Williams School. However, its official legal name is still The Williams Memorial Institute.
How the School Grew
In 1955, Williams added a middle school for grades 7 and 8. In 1971, the school started accepting both boys and girls. This made it a co-educational school.
Working With Connecticut College
The Williams School and Connecticut College have a special relationship. Students studying education at Connecticut College can practice teaching at The Williams School. The college also helps fund The Williams School. This was one of the first partnerships between a college and a younger school.
The college and the school are separate. They help each other. The college does not control what is taught at The Williams School. It also does not control the school's extra activities.
School Connections
The Williams School is connected to several important groups:
- It is approved by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
- It is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
- It is a member of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS).
- It is also a member of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.
School Leaders
Here are the people who have led The Williams School over the years:
- 1891–1938: Colin Sherman Buell
- 1938–1946: Jerome Burett
- 1946–1956: Gertrude Moon
- 1950–1960: Evelyn Page
- 1960–1963: Catherine Oakes
- 1963–1978: Marion H. Hamilton
- 1978–1994: Steven J. Danenberg
- 1994–1998: Lawrence Roberts
- 1998–2008: Charlotte L. Rhea
- 2008–present: Mark Fader
Famous Former Students
- Valerie Azlynn - actress
- Noah Bean - actor
- Alzada Comstock - professor of economics at Mount Holyoke College
- Susan DiBona - film composer
- Grace L. Drake - Ohio state legislator
- Jesse Metcalfe - actor
- Ann Haven Morgan - professor of biology at Mount Holyoke College
- Clancy Philbrick - artist
- Stephen Trask - composer
- Cassie Ventura - model and singer
