In September, 1907, William Pearson purchased the house at 251 Main Street from the estate of Julia B. Thayer, and the Keene Evening Sentinel published a letter from “J. W. B.” reminding the citizens of Keene that the house had once been the “Female Seminary,” run by Miss Catharine Fiske.
Keene Evening Sentinel
September 6, 1907
Page 7
MISS FISKE AND HER SCHOOL
Reminiscences and Historical Facts Recalled by Sale of the Thayer Residence
To the Editor of the Sentinel: -
Having seen in the Sentinel that the Thayer property has recently been sold, and lest, with each change of hands, the earlier history and occupation of those once celebrated premises shall sink farther into oblivion, I am tempted to remind your readers of today that, 90 years ago, the venerable building of late the home of Mrs. Thayer, and still earlier that of the well remembered and genial Sumner Wheeler, Esq., was owned and occupied by Miss Catharine Fiske as the seat of the most widely known and successful young ladies’ school of its time in New England and perhaps in the United States.
The founder, Catharine Fiske, was born in Worcester, Mass., July 30, 1784, and began her career as a teacher at the early age of fifteen in Dover, Vt. Her talent as an instructor developed rapidly and soon placed her services in such demand that they were sought in Boston, throughout Massachusetts and Vermont, and even in Canada. After a long and varied experience in teaching, Miss Fiske came to Keene in 1811 and began teaching here. In May, 1814, she opened her “Female Seminary,” and at the mature age of 40, she purchased the Thayer property, which then included a somewhat large farm, established her school for young ladies, and began her educational work on am extended plan. Her previous high reputation at once brought success, and pupils, not only from New England but from New York and other states, eagerly sought admission to her classes. She received both boarding and day scholars, and many young ladies of prominent families who afterwards shone in the social and literary world dated their success in later life from Miss Fiske’s careful training and instruction. Her corps of teachers was large and most carefully selected and there are still a few elderly ladies living, in Keene and elsewhere, who remember with gratitude the early instruction received at the hands of the sisters Withington, the late, Mrs. Thos. Leverett and others who were for many years favorite and efficient teachers in Miss Fiske’s school.
In addition to her young lady pupils, Miss Fiske also admitted to the advantages of the school a class of young boys, among whom the writer recalls. as comrades and schoolmates of 70 years ago, the late Col. Fiske, Dr. George B. Twitchell, Hon. George s. Hale, Dr. Charles G. Adams Jr. and a few others, all passed away but pleasantly remembered.
Miss Fiske may well be regarded as a remarkable woman. Her daily life was one of great responsibility, and her labors were incessant, in spite of constant physical disability. Both school and farm were managed exclusively by herself, but with numerous helpers able, loyal, well chosen and well trained. Her vigilance was never relaxed and no detail, whether educational or domestic, was overlooked in her daily routine. Her business tact was unusual, her knowledge of human nature was exceptional, and served her well in the management of her affairs, combining economy with strict integrity in all her dealings. To these qualities she also added a dignity which approached sternness, an unusual degree of mental culture and a high Christian character which never failed to command the respect both of her patrons and her fellow citizens.
It will not be deemed strange that with all the excellent qualities of heart and mind which distinguished Miss Fiske, there were combined a degree of sternness of manner and a habitual reserve which did not render her genial and companionable with her pupils, or make her a general favorite in society. But that was a distinction which she never sought. She was essentially an old-fashioned teacher, and her methods were those of another day and age. An extract from one of her school catalogues of 1826 may show the contrast between the present day methods of young lady pupils and the fashions and needs of boarding school girls 80 years ago.
“A committee of lady visitors will frequently visit the apartments of the pupils to observe the general order and deportment, which serves as a mental punishment for the young Ladies, if such ever be needed, etc. Again, it is important that youth should be inured to application and economy in order that they may know the Value of Money and the Worth of Time. To this effect, it is necessary that the Dress be PLAIN and NEAT[note the emphasis]. Durable and dark-colored clothes, made in a simple style, with no great variety, are most conducive to the benefit of Pupils, for when the mind is occupied with Dress, it much impedes its progress in Science, Literature and Virtue.”
How such wardrobe regulations would suit the pupils of a fashionable boarding school of today, or how far they would square with the views of ambitious and doting mothers in 1907, I leave to your readers to judge.
Miss Fiske died at her school home in 1837 at the age of 53, and her ashes rest in the old Washington street cemetery. Her life was a noble one and it is part and parcel of Keene history. And in behalf of the worthy old house where her life was lived and her work was done, may not an old pupil be allowed a word of appeal, in Shakespeare’s words:
– Let not the building fall
And leave no memory of what it was!”
J. W. B.