A Short History of Buffalo Seminary

Prepared by Harry B. SchooleyJanuary 2016

SEM’s Bidwell-Potomac Campus

Buffalo Seminary was founded in 1851 as the Buffalo Female Academy.

◄Buffalo Seminary Today

◄Johnson Park: Buffalo Female AcademyBuffalo Seminary LocationsJohnson Park, 1851Bidwell Parkway, since 1909

Evergeen Cottage in Johnson Park was formerly the home of Ebenezer Johnson, an early Mayor of Buffalo

Buffalo Female Academy’s first building

Buffalo Female Academy, 1851- 1889 Evergreen Cottage and Goodell Hall

Evergreen Cottage and Goodell Hall

Goodell Hall, built in 1852 would serve as the BFA / SEM classroom building until 1900. (It would be demolished in 1924.)

Chapel / Auditorium

Library

Goodell Hall1852-1900

Classrooms

Dr. Charles E. WestHeadmaster, 1851-1860

Albert T. ChesterHeadmaster, 1860-1887

Sem’s first Heads of School: West and Chester

“An institution must be a power. Its blood must be living – its circulation brisk. It must not be content with a respectable fossilization. Nor must it live on its past reputation. It must be up with the time and in advance. It must lead … seeking new methods of assault on ignorance.”

- Dr. Charles E. West

Buffalo Female Academy Tuition, 1852 $8 to $10 per term!

With an additional $6 if one wanted to take French, German, or Drawing

an additional $10 for Painting!

and, an additional $15 for Piano!

So, if you were an artistic, musically-inclined student taking French, it would cost you $ 41 per term!

(It looks really inexpensive, but that $41 then would be $850 in today’s currency and that was a great deal of money in 1852!)

Who’s who in the Class of 1853.

Mary Shumway

Frances Sternberg

Elizabeth Beecher

Clara Hadley

Harriet DartEmmaline Guild

Harriet Robinson

Mary Blogett

Sarah Haynes

(from the SEM archives)

Class of 1853 (Daguerreotype in safe )------------------------------------------------In order from right of picture

Sarah T. Haynes (Mrs. Sarah Schuyler)Mary F. Blogett (Mrs. G. H. SeymourHarriet N. Robinson (Mrs. John S. Newberry)Emmaline A. Guild (Mrs. Horace Winan)Harriet E. Dart (Mrs. A. H. Plumb)Clara HadleyElizabeth BeecherFrances E. Sternberg (Mrs. George Wheelwright)Mary H. Shumway (Mrs. George F. Lee)-----------------------------------------------Dr. West, Principal

Given by Miss Florence Lee

Charlotte MulliganClass of 1863

Founder of the Buffalo Seminary Graduates Association (today, the

Alumnae Association)

Founder of the Twentieth Century Club

During the Civil War, Charlotte, Concerned that the Confederacy might invade Buffalo, organized a student drill team to train for defense of the school! Semper FI!

Beware, you secessionist rebels! (No, this isn’t Charlotte’s defense force. These are SEM girls taking aim in the 1940s.)

The Delaware Avenue Baptist Church (constructed 1883) was purchased in 1894 by Ms Mulligan to be the headquarters of the Buffalo Seminary Graduates Association. In that same year the Graduates Association formed the Twentieth Century Club, a women’s club, dedicated to education, cultural enrichment, and tradition. The club was renovated in 1896 with addition of a new clubhouse to the original church building.

Charlotte Mulligan was founder of the Buffalo Seminary Graduates Association and the Twentieth Century Club.

The Twentieth Century Club (1911) and today. One can see part of the original church on the right of the building.

Delaware Avenue Baptist Church

In 1870 Mark Twain, then editor of the Buffalo Express, chaired a committee judging a literary contest at the school and wrote about it in his “Report to the Buffalo Female Academy”

In concluding his report, Twain wrote …

The dead weight of custom and tradition have clogged school method and discipline …(for) so long that they unconsciously continue to wear them in these free, progressive latter days. For lingering ages, seemingly, the seminary pupil has been expected to present, at stated intervals, a composition constructed upon one and the same old heart-rending plan….

To the high credit of the principal and teachers of this academy, however, it can be said that they are faithfully doing what they can do to destroy it and its influence and occupy their place with something new and better.

Still (even though much of the traditional conventions of writing persist in) this unquestionably excellent Female Academy, we feel that we are more than complimentary when we say that the compositions we have been examining average well indeed.

When the old sapless composition model is finally cast aside and the pupil learns to write straight from his heart, he will apply his own language and his own ideas to subjects and then the question with committees will not be which composition to select for first prize, but which one they dare reject.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(It is a sign of traditional patriarchal custom that Twain refers to “the pupil” using “his” in regard to a school for women.)

Louis Agassiz (1807 –1873)

Swiss-born and European-trained biologist and geologist recognized as an innovative and prodigious scholar of Earth's natural history.

Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) Former President Millard Fillmore attended Sem’s 1854 commencement. Later he was on a committee thatconducted special oral reading and elocution examinations.

William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878)

American poet, journalist, editor, best known for the poem “Thanatopsis,” which he wrote at age 17.

Other 19th Century notable figures to visit Sem included …

(Source: Buffalo Currier-Express, Feb. 12, 1961.)

Speaking of famous (infamous?) visitors to the school ….

In 1972 Actress Jane Fonda visited SEM and spoke to students in the Chapel.

Her visit to SEM was highly controversial because of her active resistance to the American war in Vietnam.SEM was the only school she visited when in Buffalo for an anti-war rally at UB.

Lucy C. Lynde Hartt, Class of 1863

Headmistress, 1887 - 1899

It was under Mrs. Hartt’s leadership that in 1889 the Buffalo Female Academy was renamed Buffalo Seminary.

She also restructured the curriculum to meet college entrance requirements.

In 1889 The Board of Trustees voted to change the school name to Buffalo Seminary!

The change of name must have been quite disappointing! (Actually, this is the 1907 yearbook staff!)

The 1907 Seminaria staff back at work!

Ms Jessica E. BeersHeadmistress, 1899-1903

We do not know about Ms Beers’ educational background and experience before she came to Sem. We do know that on retiring from SEM, she relocated to New York City and became head of the Normal (teacher) Training Department of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School.

We also know that in 1899 Buffalo Seminary combined with the newly-founded Elmwood School and that Ms Beers was Head of both institutions. The Elmwood School was a primary school for girls.

The responsibility of running two schools proved exhausting for Ms Beers, and she retired in 1903. Elmwood and SEM then reverted back to separate institutions.

Ms Beers did, however, provide SEM with a significant legacy: a woman who was hired to teach Math and Poetry in 1899. Her name was Lisbeth Gertrude Angell.

(In 1941 the Elmwood School would combine with the Franklin School to form the Elmwood-Franklin School.)

1913 portrait

With the Johnson Park campus proving no longer adequate for SEM’s needs, the school in 1900 relocated to the upper floors of the new Twentieth Century Club and the nearby Heathcote School on Delaware Avenue. This relocation was temporary, pending the building of a new school building. It’s interesting that the school moved out of its home campus without first having a new building. It would be nine years before SEM had a new permanent “home.”

Buffalo Seminary, 1900-1909

Twentieth Century Club Heathcote School

Miss L. Gertrude AngellHeadmistress, 1903 – 1952

1905 photo

From the Illustrated Buffalo Express, October 14, 1906

SEM’s new building plans were announced in 1906.

Boston architect and Harvard architectural professor, George F. Newton’s 1906 plan for the building was in the Collegiate Gothic style.

It’s interesting that of the figures in this illustration of the future building, only two appear to be female!

SEM relocated to its new building on Bidwell Parkway in 1909.

In 1909 classrooms were called recitation rooms.

There was a “Club Room” at the end of the main hallway.

Library “Study Room”

In the 1909 the gymnasium was where the cafeteria is today!

The 1909 Lunch Room is today’s locker room.

The school’s janitor (maintenance man) lived in the building in a basement apartment.

The 1909 Science Lab was where today’s Development Office is.

Today there is an office and classroom where the 1909 art studio was, and Mr. Hopkins’ room was the “Domestic Science” room.

Gallery

Chapel

The third floor spaces that are today Ms. Miller’s and Dr. Joplin’s rooms and the Music Studio were “unfinished,” meaning available for future use.

The Chapel

The Study Hall

Library

SEM before West-Chester Hall was added.

The school assembles for an all-school photograph on the chapel balcony and fire escape!

This photo pre-dates 1929 as the gymnasium and West-Chester additions have not yet been added. Once the gym and West-Chester were built, this open space would become the Senior Courtyard.

Today this space is the Atrium!

West-Chester Hall, the headquarters of the Graduates Association was added to the building in 1929.

A new gymnasium, classrooms, and the third floor art studio were also added.

West-Chester Hall today

West-Chester

Gymnasium

Classrooms

Courtyard

1929 additions

Potomac Ave

Bidwell Ave

Potomac view

West-Chester

Gymnasium

Classrooms

Courtyard

1929 additions

Potomac Ave

Bidwell Ave

Bidwell view

Atrium2004

In 1964 the Science Wing was added.

In 1985 the PAC was built on the roof above the gym and behind West-Chester.

PAC

1985

In 2004 the Atrium was added by excavating and enclosing the former courtyard.

The first senior class to use the new building was the Class of 1910.

This 1910 senior remains a significant part of our SEM lives! Why?Because of something she wrote in her senior year

Mary Gail ClarkClass of 1910

To Alma Mater as published in the (1910) Seminaria.

Mary was captain of the basketball team, a member of the Glee Club, and Editor in Chief of the Seminaria.

Composer of To Alma Mater (1910)

Miss Angell’s Yellow Slips!

Life is just one damn thing after another.

Three minutes to think.

Three minutes to write.

Miss Angell’s guidelines for life.

She would expect students to know and live by these “slogans,” as she called them.

In conversation with a student she might begin a “slogan” and the student would be expected to complete it as if it were part of a natural discussion.

Cult of Personality? Miss Angell’s portrait was hanging in the library long before she retired! The 1940 Seminaria editors.

Fun Facts about Miss Angell!

When she was a student at Wellesley College (1890- 1894) she …

… was a member of the Bicycle Club, … was in “crew!”

… and was President of the Banjo Club!

It was during Miss Angell’s administration that a very special time-honored tradition began at SEM.

In 1916, the basketball league to which SEM belonged cancelled its season. To fill the void for the SEM team and the rest of the school, the Graduates Association created a cup to be competed for by intramural basketball teams. The two teams became the Hornets and the Jackets. The rest is history!

The 1916 Basketball Team!

HORNETS! JACKETS!

Miss Angell from the 1952 Seminaria

James W. Donnelly, Headmaster, 1966-1967 Mr. Donnelly later served for 11 years as Headmaster of the Severn School in Maryland.Richard W. Davis

Headmaster, 1959-1966

In 1966 Mr. Davis became Headmaster of Miss Porter’s School in Connecticut, retiring in 1975.

Marian W. SmithHeadmistress, 1952-1959

Miss Angell’s successor, Miss Smith was a graduate of Vasser College.

Heads of School since Miss Angell

Mr. Davis was the only Head of School to have been included in the Seminaria as a member of a senior class!

Robert A. FosterHeadmaster, 1967-1992

Mr. Foster joined the Sem English department in 1959. He continued to teach English through to his retirement in 1992. Seminaria, 1991

Sarah K. BriggsHead of School, 1992-1995

Marjorie BarneyHead of School, 1995-2001

Mrs. Barney taught Math at Sem from 1979 to 1995.

Sandra GilmorHead of School, 2001-2007

Jo Ann DouglassHead of School, 2007-present

Ms Douglass with Mr. Schooley’s Napoleon, 2010.

The Bidwell Parkway building dates from 1909; renovated in 2001 and 2002.

The midsection (including the gymnasium and art studio) and West-Chester Hall date from 1929; renovated in 2001and 2002.

(The previous gymnasium was the room that is now the cafeteria. Imagine that!)

Larkin House and Larkin Field were acquired in 1957.

The science wing dates from 1964; renovated in 2000.

The Performing Arts Center dates from 1985.

The Gallery was restored in 2002.

The Mugel Atrium was completed in 2004.

The Bidwell Residences opened in 2009.

The Squash and Athletic Center opened in 2009.

The Potomac Residences opened in 2010.

The Soldiers Place residences opened in 2012 and 2013.

The PAC being transformed into a Japanese Noh theater for the 2008 production of “At the Hawks’ Well.”

The Gallery (restored 2002)

Prior to its renovation, the Gallery had been “filled” with, first, the Headmaster’s and, later, other administrative offices behind a glass wall and a false ceiling.

From the 1970 Seminaria

From the 1965 Seminaria

These were the Study Hall desks until 2002. All trimester or semester exams were taken here.

The Study Hall from the front hall, 1965

The Mugel Atrium (constructed, 2003 – 2004)

Between 1929 and 2003, the space that is now the Atrium was an open area known as the “Senior Courtyard.” Student access to the courtyard was a senior privilege.

This stringcourse was originally at ground level!

The atrium serves as an extension of the dining room, an area for

receptions, and a gallery for artwork.

The Atrium was once the Senior Courtyard.

This is the Senior Courtyard as “prepared” for excavation. The fountain foundation can be seen at bottom right.

The Atrium was constructed between October 2003 and June 2004.

Ground surface level

The entire excavation of the courtyard was done bucket-by-bucket lifted over the building and emptied into waiting trucks.

Excavation complete! The courtyard is gone.

The ground surface level

The archways are complete. Work on the roof and walkways is underway.

The wall of the PAC had to be raised to support the atrium roof.

Construction of the roof and walkways.

Construction took place over the winter. It was cold!

The fountain was relocated to the Atrium wall.

In 1957 SEM acquired Larkin House and Larkin Field.

In 2007 Larkin House was sold, but SEM retained ownership of the Field.

Larkin Field

2008 SEM’s new mascot, the Red Tailed Hawk!

Chunhui Xu from China and Da Som Kang from South Korea with their host parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Ivins

In 2008 SEM began a host-family program for residential students.

SEM’s first residences at 130 / 132 Bidwell Parkway

SEM’s residences at 678 and 682 Potomac

The student residence at 682 Potomac

The Soldiers Place residences

SEM residential students, 2014-2015

SEM’s Sesquicentennial Parade, 2001

Some SEM Alumnae

Robin Simon MagavernClass of 1952

Robin would become one of SEM’s most beloved teachers. She joined the English faculty in 1973 and retired in 2008.

Lauren Belfer Class of 1971Author, City of Light, 1999Lauren was the first recipient of the Buffalo Seminary History Department Book Prize, 1971.

From the 1971 Seminaria

Lauren was in the first class I ever taught, 1967!

In 2012 Lauren was Commencement Speaker for the last class I ever taught!

Lauren’s A Fierce Radiance was published in 2010.

Tara Van Derveer Class of 1971

Coach, Stanford University Women’s Basketball Team since 1985

1995-96 USA Senior National Team Head Coach

1996 Head Coach, Gold medal winning USA Olympic Women’s Basketball Team

From the 1971 SeminariaTennis, sailing, hockey … not a word about basketball!

But she did play Varsity Basketball in both 1970 and 1971.

From the Buffalo News, Dec. 23, 2010

Her 800th victory as a college coach.

Today she has 960* victories.

* (As of January, 2016)

On May 26, 2009, Tara returned to SEM, met with student leaders, and spoke to an all-school assembly. Her topic? Live Large!

Speaking of “living large!” Sem’s mascot, the Red-Tailed Hawk!

Maybe if they had Tara as a coach, the 1916 basketball team would have looked a bit happier!

Newsweek, Nov. 27, 1995

Amy Holden Jones Class of 1971

ScreenwriterDirector

From the 1971 SeminariaShe did like photography!

Gwen Yates WhittleClass of 1979 From the 1979 Seminaria

Gwen as SEM Commencement Speaker, 2013

Motion Picture Sound Editor for Skywalker Sound

Gwen …

… has worked on sound and dialogue editing for over 120 movies.

… was supervising sound editor for Avatar, Brave, Rio, Rio II, the Ice Age movies, and many others, including Titanic and Saving Private Ryan.

… has been nominated for two Academy Awards: Avatar and Tron.

Mona Fetouh Class of 1990

With Mona and Robin Magavern, 2005.

Presently works for the United Nations in New York City.

Formerly worked for the International Rescue Committee in Thailand and the

World Bank.

The weapons of mass destruction are paintings on a wall!Mona in Saddam Hussein’s throne, Iraq, 2004

Mona’s global reach at the time of her work in Bangkok, Thailand.

Nicole LeeClass of 1994

Attorney

Civil Rights Activist

Former (and first) female president of TransAfrica Forum

From the 1994 Seminaria

At the SEM Commencement, 2009

Mara Hoffman Class of 1995

Mara was the SEM Commencement Speaker, 2010

Fashion DesignerNew York City

US Chief of Protocol, 1993 – 1997"the mother hen of the diplomatic corps"

– Washington Post

Molly Millonzi Raiser Class of 1960

Molly in a C-SPAN interview, April 1994

Molly’s first major assignment as Chief of Protocol was arranging the September 1993 White House meeting of President Bill Clinton with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation organization leader Yassir Arafat.

Marian De Forest (1864-1935)Class of 1884

- was among the first women newspaper reporters in Western NY,

- wrote the stage play for Alcott’s “Little Women,”

- founded Zonta International,

- and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (2001).

Zonta International is an international service organization with the mission of advancing the status of women. It was founded in Buffalo in 1919. Today it is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. There are some 34,000 members with branches in 70 countries. Prominent among its earliest members was Amelia Earhart. Zonta is a Lakota Sioux Indian word that means "honest and trustworthy."

In one of her early speeches, de Forest explained, "Zonta stands for the highest standards in the business and professional world ... seeks cooperation rather than competition and considers the Golden Rule not only good ethics but good business." De Forest envisioned Zonta to become an international organization. In her own words, "This is the woman's age and in distant lands and foreign climes women of all nations are rallying to the call … Zonta is given the opportunity of uniting them into one great, glorious whole."

Margaret L. Wendt (1885-1972)Class of 1903

Philanthropist, founder of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

Portrait honoring Margaret L. Wendt at Trocaire College

William Blake, 1757-1827

Sir Hubert Parry, 1848-1918

“Jerusalem” became part of SEM’s musical tradition in the late 1960s.

“Jerusalem” was written in 1804 by the English poet William Blake.

The music for “Jerusalem” was written by the English composer Sir Hubert Parry in 1916.

165 years !

Sources

The Buffalo Seminary 125 Years (1976) a publication of the school compiled by the art faculty.

Christian, Diane. “The Buffalo Seminary: 150 Years Old and Radiant,” June 2001 (Art Voice article, appearing in full in the Semaphore.)

Ito, Gwen. “From Johnson Park to Bidwell Parkway and Beyond: A Short History of Buffalo Seminary.” Western New York Heritage, Volume 17 number 3, Fall 2015, pp. 18-26.