Following Mary Lyon’s death in 1849, Mount
Holyoke continued on the course that she had set,
but a combination of early leadership troubles
and debt acquired during the Civil War eroded
the institution’s strength. During this
period, despite economic challenges, the Seminary
building was expanded, several other buildings
were added and more land was acquired. By the
time the collegiate charter was adopted in
1888
the institution had quadrupled its holdings
in land and buildings.