History of EWS
Historical Timeline
1787
Pioneer educator Emma Hart born in Berlin, Connecticut.
1814
Emma Hart Willard opens her first school in Middlebury, Vermont.1818
Mrs. Willard presents "Plan for Improving Female Education" to New York Governor Dewitt Clinton and the New York State Legislature.1819
School moves to Waterford, New York.1821
City of Troy grants Mrs. Willard $4,000 to establish Troy Female Seminary in the heart of the city (at current site of Russell Sage College).1838
Mrs. Willard’s son John and his wife, Sarah Hudson Willard, a graduate of and former teacher at T.F.S., assume management of the Seminary.1869
Mrs. Willard publishes a number of academic texts.1870
Emma Hart Willard dies.1872
Emily Wilcox, grandniece of Mrs. Willard, former pupil and teacher, becomes principal. Due to changing economic conditions in Troy following the Civil War and a shift in attitude toward women’s education, the School becomes a day school.1892
Emma Willard Association incorporated by alumnae to honor her name and promote the cause of higher education among women. First meeting held in conjunction with the Chicago World’s Fair.1895
Mary Alice Knox named principal. School’s name changed to Emma Willard School. Three new buildings (1892—95, now part of Russell Sage College) replace original one. Boarding options reopened.1902
Anna Leach appointed principal.1910
With the aid of a major gift from alumna Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, T.F.S. 1847, the School moves to its suburban location on Pawling Avenue atop Mount Ida. Three collegiate Gothic buildings open: Slocum Hall (academics, administration); Sage Hall (dormitory); and the Gymnasium (now the Alumnae Chapel).1911
Eliza Kellas appointed principal.1915
First Revels performance.1928
Kellas Hall (dormitory) opens and boarding program doubles in size.1937
Weaver Hall (science) opens.1942
Anne Wellington named headmistress.1943
Clemwell Lay named co-headmistress.1948
Correlated curriculum established.1961
William M. Dietel appointed principal.1966
Tangeman Apartments completed.1967
Dietel Library and Snell Music Building built.1969
Elective curriculum introduced. Faculty duplexes built.1970
Dennis A. Collins appointed principal.1971
Art building added to Library/Music complex.1972
The Children’s School established in former Cluett mansion.1974
Frances O’Connor appointed principal.1977
Charles S. Mott gymnasium completed.1979
Robert C. Parker (1938—86) appointed principal.1981—84
The Dodge Study conducted at Emma Willard by Dr. Carol Gilligan, Dr. Nona Lyons, and associates from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.1984
New curriculum introduced.1986
Trudy J. Hanmer appointed acting principal.1987
Emma Hart Willard’s 200th Birthday Gala held.
Philip S. Deely appointed principal.
1988
Regional seminars on the findings of the Dodge Study begin in Washington, D.C., and Boston to mark 175th anniversary.1989
175th Anniversary of Emma Willard School.Making Connections, a collection of essays based on the Dodge Study, published by the School.
Trudy J. Hanmer appointed acting principal.
1990
Robin Robertson appointed head of school.1991
75th Anniversary Revels.1992
Alumnae Association celebrates centennial.1996
Hunter Science Center opens.1998
Helen S. Cheel Aquatics Center opensHistorical marker erected at campus pedestrian entrance on Pawling Avenue.
2000
Trudy E. Hall appointed 16th head of school2004
School receives $10.5 million from the Avenir Foundation to strengthen faculty excellence.
2005
School receives $16.5 million gift from estate of Helen Snell Cheel ’23.
2006
School begins landmark construction project to renovate dining facilities, community spaces, and campus entryway.
