Early History of the Parent Teacher Association in Pelham
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The early history of the organization that we think of today as the Pelham Parents Teachers Association is quite fascinating. The initial predecessor organization was known as the "Mothers' Club of the Pelham Heights SchooL' founded in 1908. According to one account, the initial "constitution" of the organization described its purpose as follows: "To foster closer association of teachers and parents and the promotion of all educational, social, and communal interests in our village." I have written before about the predecessor organizations that evolved into the Pelham Parents Teachers Association. See: Mon., Dec. 25, 2006: Early Organizations That Evolved Into the Pelham Parents Teachers Association (PTA).
In the opening days of 1908, the kindergarten teacher at the tiny little school opened by real estate developer Benjamin L. Fairchild to serve a handful of school children who lived in Pelham Heights had an idea. The teacher's name was Mrs. Moore. She "realized that she could work more intelligently if she could reach the mothers and freely discuss school questions." On January 14, 1908, Mrs. Moore held an organizational meeting and formed "The Mothers' Club of the Pelham Heights School." Mrs. Harry Mulliken was elected the first president of the group. Mrs. Moore was elected Secretary and Treasurer.
The concept of the club seems to have been modeled on the predecessor organization to today's National Parent Teacher Association. That predecessor organization was the "National Congress of Mothers" founded by Alice McLellan on February 17, 1897 in Washington, D.C. -- only eleven years before the Mothers' Club of the Peham Heights School was organized.
Only about ten local mothers participated in early meetings of the new Mothers' Club of the Pelham Heights School. Slowly, however, the group gained traction and grew as the Pelham Heights settlement grew. In November, 1909, the group expanded its mission to encompass all schools within the Town of Pelham and, thus, changed its name to The Mothers' Club of Pelham.
The club continued to grow. It sponsored lectures, in-school art exhibitions, landscaping work at local schools and in local parks, and collaborative projects among Pelham teachers and the women of Pelham. On October 11, 1911, the club changed its name again to "The Woman's Educational Club of Pelham."
By 1912 the club had grown to ninety members. That year the club affiliated itself with the Housewives' League. At about this time the business of the club became so pressing that it adopted a revised Constitution and began meeting twice a month rather than once a month.
Within a short time, the women of the Manor Club invited the Women's Educational Club of Pelham to join them. According to one account: "This invitation was at first declined but later accepted and in February 1915 the Women's Educational Club became a section of the Manor Club. This alliance presented many problems and lasted only a year. In 1916 the Women's Educational Club was again an independent club. Another achievement of these active workers was securing the property right of way from Pelhamdale avenue to Siwanoy School."
Under the leadership of Mrs. Charles Bolte, President of the club, in 1923 the club voted to join the National and State Parent-Teacher Association and continues to this day doing its fine work in support of all Pelham school children.
"Woman's Educational Club
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The success of the Woman's Educational Club of Pelham in its hearty cooperation with the teachers, has made it a helpful medium through which parents and teachers work out the problem they share in common -- the welfare of the child.
In 1908 when the Highbrook School was used for the children of Pelham Heights, there was a teacher, Mrs. Moore, who realized that she could work more intelligently if she could reach the mothers and freely discuss school questions. Her suggestion to form a Mothers' Club was responded to. The Mothers' Club was organized on January 14, 1908, and elected Mrs. Harry Mulliken, President, and Mrs. Moore, Secretary and Treasurer.
In reading the minutes of the club during the first year it is interesting to note that all the talks and lectures given at that time emphasized the important impulse in efficient school service -- intelligent co-operation.
It was the key-note upon which the work of the clerk was built and the note which still rings true.
The idea of intelligent co-operation for the better growth of the school was an appeal in such a broad sense to all women that it was deemed advisable to consider a change of name which would be comprehensive enough to embrace every public-spirited woman who saw the importance of school work. On October 11, 1911, the name of Mothers' Club was changed to 'The Woman's Educational Club of Pelham.'
The history of the club reveals the same struggle and endeavor the individual experiences in attaining his ideal -- days when only faith in the usefulness of such organization saved it from dissolution. But it has lived through those periods of depression and grown into a vital dominant factor in school affairs.
The work of the club has been broad and varied and through the interest of some of its most active members, talks and lectures by people of large experience have been given.
Mrs. Ashton Johnson, Mrs. Leo Meilziner, Dr. Leonard, Miss Cowing, Mr. Alexander Johnson, Dr. G. R. Pisek, Dr. Jacob R. Street, Mr. Lang and Mrs. McAfee are some of the lecturers who have taken an active interest in this club and contributed largely to its wider outlook.
The programs give accounts of the happy social gatherings -- the May Day tea, in 1911, the hallowe'en dance, tableaux for the school children and stereopticon entertainments.
One of the most thoroughly enjoyed entertainments of the club was the wonderful exhibition of etchings which was given through the courtesy of Frederick Keppel & Co. and attracted many lovers of good pictures. This exhibition inspired a group of teachers to arrange another exhibition by the Elson Educational Art League, as a result of which some beautiful reproductions are now hanging in the school.
As the school is so closely allied to the interests of the home, a section on Domestic Science was the logical result of the talk given by Mrs. Julian Heath and Domestic Economics.
A discussion of sanitary questions brought to light conditions which were corrected by the concerted action of the committee on Civic Improvement whose work deserves even more than passing praise. There were only a few women whose sense of civic responsibility actuated them to serve the community in such a generous way, but they won the admiration of the town officials and proved beyond doubt that any nuisance or unsanitary condition can be corrected if dealt with in a tactful, dignified way.
So that the two achievements of which the club may be proud, are the fine work done in connection with the Elson Art Exhibits and the 'clean-up' work by the civic committee.
The direct influence of the Woman's Educational Club on the school is difficult to measure or analyze. It is safe to say, however, that the organization has brought beautiful pictures into the school, worked wisely with the teachers, encouraged a closer union of home and school interests, and is a great factor in helping to create the happy stimulating atmosphere which pervades our school.
'For the best interest of the school' is and always will be the motto of the Woman's Educational Club of Pelham, which, through its varied interests feel assured that this year work will find happy and willing cooperators and that only when every woman in this community helps in the work, will its ends be best served.
The following is the list of officers through whose diligence and earnest purpose the club has attained its present state of efficiency:
1908 -- President, Mrs. Harry Mulliken; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Moore.
1908-09 -- President, Mrs. Fisher; Vice-President, Mrs. Kingsland; Second Vice-President, Miss Beaudry.
1909-10 -- President, Mrs. Fisher; First Vice-President, Mrs. Kingsland; Second Vice-President, Miss Beaudry; Treasurer, Mrs. Holmes; Secretary, Mrs. Steinbach.
1910-11 -- President, Mrs. Kingsland; First Vice-President, Mrs. Gerry; Second Vice-President, Miss Granger; Treasurer, Mrs. Herndon; Secretary, Mrs. Whitenack.
1911-12 -- President, Mrs. Kingsland; Vice-President, Mrs. Ferguson; Treasurer, Mrs. Lyons; Secretary, Mrs. Whitenack.
1912-13 -- President, Mrs. Burnett; Vice-President, Mrs. Ferguson; Secretary, Mrs. Heath; Treasurer, Mrs. Emerson.
1913-14 -- President, Mrs. Burnett; Vice-President, Mrs. Ferguson; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Warner; Recording Secretary, Miss Beaudry; Treasurer, Mrs. Steward.
ELIZABETH E. GERRY."
Source: Woman's Educational Club, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 20, 1913, p. 8, cols. 6-7.
"PTA NEWS
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The Story of the Parent-Teacher Association in the Pelhams
This is the first in a series of three articles prepared by Mrs. Ben L. Fairchild, historian of the Parent-Teacher Association of the Pelhams, dealing with the history of the organization which is numbered among the most important in the community.
The Parent-Teacher Association of the Pelhams has a membership today of over 1100. The tiny acorn from which this great oak grew was planted just thirty years ago, when about a dozen women organized on January 14, 1908, The Mothers Club of the Pelham Heights School. The object of this club was to foster a closer association between parents and teachers. At the first meeting, Mrs. Harry Mulliken, who now resides in Pelham Manor, was elected President, and Mrs. Moore, the kindergarten teacher in the Highbrook avenue school was the secretary-treasurer. From the very beginning they were splendidly organized and appreciated that success rested upon the mutual sharing of activities by parents and teachers. At the second meeting the minutes state a speaker, Miss E. Thornton of New Rochelle, spoke on 'Children's Literature.' Here began the adult education movement in Pelham. The club grew rapidly and in June, 1908 they evidently felt the need of increasing the number of officers from two to five, and at the same meeting they elected a program committee. In October, 1909 the program for the current year was read and the president announced that it had been printed. In November, 1909 they changed the name to The Mothers Club of Pelham, thus including the other two villages in their organization.
The women who served so faithfully in this pioneer movement may well be proud of their record and achievement. They surely knew what they wanted and accomplished their desires and we Pelhamites of today are indebted to them for advantages we accept casually. In reading the minutes of the meetings of this club one must continually look to the top of the page to convince oneself what Pelham women were doing in 1908 not 1938. This club carried on its 'educational, social and communal interests' until October, 1911 when they became the Women's Educational Club of Pelham. The president at the time was Mrs. E. Kingsland, who still resides in Pelham Heights.
MRS. BEN L. FAIRCHILD"
Source: PTA NEWS -- The Story of the Parent-Teacher Association in the Pelhams, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 11, 1938, p. 7, col. 4.
"PTA NEWS
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THE HISTORY OF THE P. T. A.
This is the second in a series of three articles concerned with the history of the P. T. A. in Pelham prepared by Mrs. Ben L. Fairchild, historian of the association. The first installment appeared last week.
Women's Educational Club
The Women's Educational Club was an organization of which Pelham may well be proud. The records indicate that the meetings were interesting and instructive as well as social and that the members were active in civic improvements. In 1912 the club affiliated itself with the Housewives' League. Mrs. E. F. Burnett was the President at this time. Membership had grown and ninety are recorded at a meeting instead of ten as formerly. November, 1912 the revised Constitution was adopted and the club was so active it was found necessary to hold bi-monthly meetings. The spring of 1913 found them sponsoring a clean-up of Pelham Heights. Mrs. W. W. Warner was chairman of this committee. One seeing Pelham Heights today can hardly believe it could have once been in such disorder that 'over fifty cart loads of rubbish had been removed.' Lots were cleared, and the park property near the station was weeded, planted and generally improved. A goodly sum was received for this work by contribution and the village paid the balance. Mrs. Irving Ferguson succeeded Mrs. Burnett.
The Manor Club invited the Women's Educational Club to join them. This invitation was at first declined but later accepted and in February 1915 the Women's Educational Club became a section of the Manor Club. This alliance presented many problems and lasted only a year. In 1916 the Women's Educational Club was again an independent club. Another achievement of these active workers was securing the property right of way from Pelhamdale avenue to Siwanoy School.
Other presidents were Mrs. Felix Hughes, Mrs. James Longley, Mrs. J. Migel, Mrs. W. H. Rose, and Mrs. Charles Bolte. Under the leadership of Mrs. Bolte in 1923 the club voted to join the National and State Parent-Teacher Association.
MRS. BEN L. FAIRCHILD,
Historian, P. T. A. of Pelham"
Source: PTA NEWS -- THE HISTORY OF THE P. T. A., The Pelham Sun, Feb. 18, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 46, p. 7, cols. 1-2.
"PTA NEWS
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THE HISTORY OF THE PELHAM P. T. A.
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This is the third and last article in a series of three prepared by Mrs. Ben L. Fairchild, historian of the Pelham Parent-Teacher Association, dealing with the early history of the organization in the Pelhams.
The National Parent-Teacher Association was founded as the National Congress of Mothers in 1897, only eleven years before Pelham women founded our local Parent-Teacher Association at the Mothers' Club of Pelham Heights. In its early years, Pelham Heights did not have sufficient population to justify the Board of Education supporting a school there. The only schools in Pelham were the Hutchinson School, and the Jackson Avenue School. Either was too great a distance away for the children of the Heights, so in about 1900 Mr. Ben. L. Fairchild established in Pelham Heights a free school.
He furnished the house, equipment, supplies and teacher, until the increased population warranted the Board of Education taking over, and building the Highbrook Avenue School, which opened in 1905. This new local school was dear to the hearts of the women. They evidently took charge of the building as to maintenance because the minutes give a report of 'Mrs. McGuire, Chairman and Treasurer of Committee in charge of the Highbrook Avenue Building' in which appears such an item as '10 tons coal - $64.00,' as well as salaries to janitors and receipts for rental of hall.
Also in the minutes one reads that two committees were appointed 'one to investigate a vacuum cleaner, with the idea of having the new school cleaned by that process and the other to see about a piano for the school.' It was in this school within three years of its opening that the women laid the foundation of an association, the Constitution of which stated its object was 'to foster closer association of teachers and parents, and the promotion of all educational, social and communal interests in our villages.' The firmness of their foundation can be guaged by the success of the movement.
There has been an unbroken line of service and achievement right through the years. The annual reports, all on file in the High School, show high aims and purposes with splendid work accomplished. The changing times brought changing problems but always a steadfast group to carry on. The Presidents following Mrs. Bolte were Mrs. R. G. Adams, Mrs. C. H. Stewart, Mrs. C. T. Chenery, Mrs. H. Scott, Mrs. F. Anderson, Mrs. M. Hull and at present Mrs. Wm. R. Butler.
Our P. T. A. today still sponsors the welfare of our school children. It functions under a Board of Directors comprising the President and five executive officers, the Chairman of each School Unit and the Chairman of each Standing Committee. Each school unit is self-governing. It has a Chairman and executive officers who are elected annually. In co-operation with school officials three main projects are sponsored, and from 1933 to 1937 the money appropriated by the P. T. A. to these projects has been: College Loan Fund, $2,400; Dental Clinics, $3,560; Orthopedics, $800.
The aim of the P. T. A. is that no Pelham child should be deprived of college assistance or dental service. The association cooperates with the Board of Education in carrying out the health program. It makes available studies in child psychology, and presents speakers of national reputation to the community.
ELINOR FAIRCHILD,
Historian, P. T. A. of Pelham."
Source: PTA NEWS -- THE HISTORY OF THE PELHAM P. T. A., The Pelham Sun, Feb. 25, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 47, p. 7, cols. 1-2.
"WOMEN OF PELHAMS HAD IMPORTANT PART IN PROGRESS OF EDUCATION
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Parent-Teacher Association Was Instituted in 1909 as ] by the Mothers' Club; Address by Robert A. Holmes in First Year of Club Shows His Great Education of Pelham Children.
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Women of the Pelhams have been deeply interested in matters of education, and the Parent-Teacher Association, which is the representative educational organization of the local school district recognized as one of the outstanding organizations of its kind in Westchester County. The organization was established in 1909 [sic; actually 1908] when the local school district was in its infancy.
It was first known as the Mothers' Club, and later became the Women's Educational Club. As the organization broadened its role to include both parents and teachers in the local schools, it became a branch of the national movement known as the Parent-Teacher Association.
Through the courtesy of Mrs. Robert A. Holmes, a former president of the Mother's Club, The Pelham Sun reprints an address made before the Club in 1910 by the late Robert A. Holmes who was president of the Board of Education at the time. The address shows the great interest of Mr. Holmes in the affairs of the Pelhams and particularly the school district and also is a good ruler on which to judge the ad[illegible] of the local school system. The address follows:
I accepted gladly your President's kind invitation to speak to you this afternoon because it has been my desire, ever since this group was organized to express to you personally, as a citizen of Pelham and officially as President of the Board of Education, my thanks for the interest you are showing in our public schools and my appreciation of the work which you are doing -- a work which cannot help but be farther reaching in its influence than your imagination or mine can conceive.
There is something peculiarly unsettling -- almost pathetic -- to me in this whole school work. The guidance of these little minds into the right paths of thinking, learning [illegible] teaching them to recognize, when they come to the parting of the ways, the mile post which will point them toward the good; is a work which may make the strongest and wisest look with suspicion on their fitness for the task. It is then natural and proper that the interest of the mothers of Pelham in the schools should be awakened and encouraged by such an organization as this, for
'Tis a mother's large affection
Hears with a mysterious sense
Breathings that escape detection,
Whisper faint, and fine inflection
Thrill in her with power intense,
Childhood's honeyed words untaught
Hiveth she in loving thought,
Tones that never thence depart;
For she listens -- with her heart.
In order to bring to any public business its fullest measure of [illegible] a live public interest must be aroused and kept alive -- and to my mind, may be best accomplished in this community through the medium of your club. I remember one year just before the annual meeting a disturbed citizen came to me and said there was trouble ahead for the School Board. It was reported that a teacher with whom the Board had had some differences and the results of her work was stirring the people up to come to the meeting and express their views to the members of the Board. This well meaning informant told me that he was doing all he could to suppress it.
'Don't do that,' I said. 'Help him stir it up. Anything in the world to get the people out to the annual meeting?'
[Illegible] P. T. Barnum did [illegible]
instilling in the youngster a desire to go to school but on the mother frequently falls the trouble of deciding whether or not it is a nine o'clock headache or whether a visit to the city is of sufficient importance to offset the loss of a day which can never be wholly made up. The Board receives monthly a report of the attendance of each class in the district and sometimes it is a discouraging one. I sincerely hope that this club can see its way clear to give to this important question of regular attendance the attention which it emphatically deserves.
'Again there should be cooperation between the parent and the Board of Education. On the parents, father and mother alike, rests the great responsibility of the selection of men for this office and in them primarily should fall the blame for poor work, if through their neglect or indifference proper selections are not made. I serve notice on you mothers today that the terms of office of three members of this board expire next August.
'Do not leave the selection of their successors to the chance of the meeting night, I pray you. Let this mother's club look into the question far enough ahead to pick out the right men and see that they are elected. You should co-operate with your School Board by holding up their hands when they are doing right and just as sincerely condemning them when they are wrong. But you have no right to complain if you shirk the duty or ignore the privilege of taking part in their selection.
'I believe that a great deal could be gained by a personal acquaintance with the men whom you delegate to carry on the school work in this town and the teachers who have charge of your children. I know that it would do the Board good to know you. I wish you might arrange some sort of a reception and invite the Board of Education and all of the teachers to meet you. I want the Board to see for itself the Mother's Club. I want it to appreciate and take a lively interest in, the work this club is doing.
'I must not impose too long on your patience nor wear out my welcome by too much talk but I do want to say a word about the new school which is soon to be erected.
(Editor's note -- This was the Siwanoy School).
'The bonds have been sold very satisfactorily to bear 4 per cent interest at a total premium of a little under $500. The architects, a well known firm in New York, have been selected and affairs are shaping themselves rapidly. We have a beautiful site and when the time comes I shall ask this club to appoint a committee to take under its charge the beautifying of the grounds and the encouragement of the children to keep them beautiful. In the meantime I should like to have this club see the plans and express their opinion before they are finally accepted.
'I thank you for your courtesy in giving me this opportunity to speak to you and in closing I want to leave with you these words of Walter Savage Landor, which beautifully justify the existence of a Mother's Club.
'Children
Walter Savage Landor
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Children are what the mothers are.
No fondest father's care
Can fashion so the infant heart
As those creative beams that dart,
With all, their hopes and fears
fears upon
The cradle of a sleeping son.
His startled eyes with wonder see
A father near him on his knee,
Who wishes all the while to trace
The mother in his future face;
But 'tis to her alone uprise
His wakening arms; to her those eyes
Open with joy and not surprise.'"
Source: WOMEN OF PELHAMS HAD IMPORTANT PART IN PROGRESS OF EDUCATION -- Parent-Teacher Association Was Instituted in 1909 as ] by the Mothers' Club; Address by Robert A. Holmes in First Year of Club Shows His Great Education of Pelham Children, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 31, 1931, p. 6, cols. 1-2.
Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
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Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "The Haunted History of Pelham, New York"
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."
Labels: 1909, 1910, Board of Education, Parent-Teachers Association, PTA, Robert A. Holmes, School Board, Women's Club, Women's Educational Club
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