Washington Seminary
| Washington Seminary (Atlanta, Ga.) | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| President | Miss Emma Scott (last president) |
| Newspaper | The Miss Emma |
| Yearbook | Facts and Fancies |
| Website | Lewis H. Beck Archives, The Westminster Schools |
Washington Seminary was a private school (Pre-First–12) in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, founded in 1878 and merged with The Westminster Schools in 1953.
History
Washington Seminary (formerly Misses Washington's School for Girls) was founded in 1878 by Anita and Lois Washington, both of whom were great nieces of George Washington's half brother, Lawrence Washington. The school's roots are in a multi-week long visit that Anita paid to her aunt, Mrs. W. S. Walker, who asked Anita to teach her daughter, Lillie Walker. As time passed, Anita began teaching the younger daughters of the house and eventually neighboring children. Anita contacted her sister Lola, to help and Misses Washington's School for Girls was born.[1] The school was founded primarily as a college preparatory school[2] for women[3][4] and was located on West Peachtree Street near Baker Street.[3][1] In 1881, the school moved to Church Street (renamed Carnegie Way) and it was in 1882 that the Seminar was renamed to Washington Seminary.[3] The Seminary moved to Cain Street then to the corner of Walton and Fairlie Streets.[3]
In 1886, Washington Seminary was listed in the city directory under the aforementioned name, with its location listed as 50 Walton Street, Atlanta, Georgia, a three-story brick home formerly owned by George W. Harrison.
In 1889, the Seminary appeared in a half-page advertisement in the city directory listing the music department as part of Mr. Alfredo Barili's music school, the Art School director as Mr. H. W. Barnitz and the Principal as Mrs. Baylor Stewart.[1]
in 1900, the Seminary moved to 36 East North Ave with Mrs. W. T. Chandler as principal and Llewellyn D. Scott as assistant principal.[1]
In 1904, Llewellyn D. Scott became principal.[1]
In 1912, the Seminary was located on an estate formerly known as La Colina, a name bestowed upon the land by Colonel Clifford L. Anderson, founder of Trust Company of Georgia who was also a lawyer and state legislator. The building, built in 1895, housed the Seminary until 1955, when it was torn down and replaced with the Riviera Motel.[4]
In 1917, the Seminary hosted its first annual May Day event.[1]
Following Llewellyn D. Scott's death in 1937, his sister Emma Scott became the head of the school.
In 1953, the Seminary merged with North Avenue Presbyterian School, forming Westminster Schools, a co-educational school.[3][2]
In 1969, the Seminary, now incorporated as a part of the Westminster Schools, had 40 faculty members and 400 students ranging from kindergarten to high school, with most of the students coming from the metropolitan Atlanta area. However, there was room for 30 students who were not from the area to live at the school.[1]
Presidents
Lola Washington
In 1878, Lola Washington was the first president of the Seminary while Katie Washington Bond was the first matron.[3]
Other notable figures
Anita Washington, one of the Seminary's founders, was a member of multiple social clubs as well as being an especially devoted member of St. Phillip's Episcopal Church[3] She graduated from St. Mary's College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Garrett, Franklin M. (1969). Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its people and Events, Volume 1. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press. pp. 943–944.
- 1 2 "Washington Seminary Records". Atlanta History Center. 1878–1978. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Davis, Anita Price (2013). The Margaret Mitchell Encyclopedia. p. 207.
- 1 2 "Atlanta Time Machine". Retrieved 2017-04-18.