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Mary Lyon Collection, 1818-
Manuscript Collection: MS 0500
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12 Boxes
Agency History/Biographical note:
Mary Lyon was born on February 28, 1797, in Buckland, Massachusetts.
She started teaching in 1814. She attended Sanderson Academy in Ashfield,
Massachusetts, Amherst Academy in Amherst, Massachusetts and the Byfield
Female Seminary in Byfield, Massachusetts. In 1824, she opened a girls'
school in Buckland called the Buckland Female School and at the same
time she taught the summer term classes at Ipswich Female Seminary under
her friend Zilpah Grant. In 1828, she began teaching full time at the
Ipswich Female Seminary. She resigned in 1834, with the intention of
starting her own school. For the next few years Mary Lyon toured the
country visiting various schools. Finally, in 1837, she returned to
Massachusetts and founded Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley,
Massachusetts. Lyon served for twelve years as principal, teacher and
the organizer of the domestic work system. She died on March 5, 1849,
in South Hadley.
Scope and Content:
Correspondence, notebooks, essays, biographies, pamphlets, memorabilia,
portraits and photographs. Lyon's own papers, 1818-1849, provide detailed
information on her personal and professional life, her religious philosophy,
her ideas on education, particularly women's education, as well as a
broader picture of women's lives in early to mid-nineteenth century
New England. Much of her correspondence and writings relate to the planning
and operation of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary as well as to other seminaries
such as Sanderson Academy, Ipswich Female Seminary and Wheaton Female
Seminary. Also includes Lyon's personal library. Material about Mary
Lyon includes books, articles, poetry, reminiscences and genealogies,
in addition to information on the towns of Ashfield, Buckland and Byfield,
Mass., where she lived.
Cite as: Cite as Mary Lyon Collection, Mount Holyoke College,
Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, Massachusetts
Access Restrictions: Open to researchers under library restrictions.
- Correspondence , 1818-1849 , 1.5
linear feet
- Writings , 1821-1848 , 1 linear
foot
- Notes on Mary Lyon's Remarks (by others)
, 1840-1849 , .5 linear feet
- Bigraphical Materials and Memorabilia
, , 6 linear feet
- Mary Lyon's Library , 3.5 linear
feet
- The Lyon Family , .5 linear feet
- Places Associated with Mary Lyon ,
.5 linear feet
- Portaits and Likeness of Mary Lyon
, .5 linear feet
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