The Twentieth Annual Commencement of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls Held on June 2, 1909

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In 1889, Emily Hall Hazen who had taught at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, opened a private girls' school in Pelham Manor.  It almost immediately became one of the finest girls’ schools in the country.  The school closed twenty-five years later at the end of the 1914-1915 school year. 

Officially named "Pelham Hall," the school was known far and wide as "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  By the time the school reached its final academic year, it had served over a thousand students from forty-two States and over two hundred and fifty towns and cities throughout the country.  

I have written about Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls on many occasions.  I have included a list of links to numerous such articles at the end of today's posting.  

The year 1909 was a special year for Pelham Hall.  On Wednesday, June 2, 1909, Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls held its twentieth annual commencement ceremony.  The ceremony was held in a large auditorium in "Edgewood House," one of the three school buildings on the campus, a large gray building that faced Edgewood Avenue that was built by Benjamin Corlies and was leased to the school.  The other two buildings, also built by Corlies and leased to the school, faced Esplanade and were known as "Chester House" and "Marbury House."

1906 Post Card View of the Pelham Hall Complex, Showing

Chester Hall on the Left, Edgewood House in the Center and

Marbury House on the Right.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Source: Double-Page Map on Plate 22 in Fairchild, John F.,

Atlas of the City of Mount of Vernon and the Town of Pelham.

Compiled from Official Records, Personal Surveys and Other

Private Plans and Surveys. 1899. Compiled and published by

John F. Fairchild. Civil Engineer and Surveyor. Rooms, 10-11

Bank Buliding, Mount Vernon, N.Y. (1899) (Lionel Pincus and

Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Edgewood House" Built Facing Today's Edgewood Avenue

(with Rear Toward the Esplanade).  Edgewood House, Which

No Longer Stands, is the Pelham Hall Building that Included

an Auditorium in Which the 1909 Graduation Exercises Were

Held.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Ten young women graduated from Pelham Hall that late spring day.  Because it was the twentieth annual commencement exercise, former graduates of the school came "from all parts of the United States" to attend the ceremony and various events that were held during commencement week.  Although it rained heavily throughout the morning, attendance at the ceremony was "good."  

Commencement ceremonies had been held in the large auditorium of Edgewood House since that building was constructed on the campus in 1894.  As was the annual custom, the auditorium was decked with evergreen boughs.  Evergreens carried important symbolic significance.  Because they stay green through the winter, they symbolized such qualities as strength, revitalization, invincibility, determination, and stoicism -- a perfect symbol for a high school graduation celebration.

Seated on the platform during the ceremony that day were:  (1) Mrs. Emily Hall Hazen, founder and headmistress of Pelham Hall; (2) "Miss McKay" and "Miss Tracy," the two Associate Principals of the school; (3) Rev. Lewis Gaston, pastor of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church, located nearly across the street from the school; (4) Rev. Herbert Haight Brown, pastor of the Church of the Redeemer in the Village of North Pelham; and (5) keynote speaker Dr. Edward Howard Griggs. 

Dr. Edward Howard Griggs (1868-1951) was a noted historian, lecturer, author, and inspirational speaker of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  He compiled and published dozens of biographies as well as social and moral critiques of history's greatest thinkers, philosophers, religious figures, and humanists.  Later in his career, during the 1930s, Griggs became known for a regular radio program broadcast nationally known as the "Lives of Great Men Program."  

Undated Photograph of Edward Howard Griggs.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

In 1904, only a few years before he was the keynote speaker at the 1909 commencement ceremony at Pelham Hall, Griggs published an influential book entitled "Moral Education" that undoubtedly was one of the principle reasons he was invited to speak to the graduating class of Pelham Hall that day.  See Griggs, Edward Howard, Moral Education (NY, NY:  B. W. Huebsch, 1904).  According to one reviewer of the work:

"The first seven chapters deal with fundamental principles of education, laying the foundation in the nature of the child.  Here Mr. Griggs follows closely the methods and results of the child-study movement; and his treatment culminates in the consideration of the type of character to be fostered by moral education, which is described as 'a strong and effective moral personality, reverently obedient to the laws of life and controlled by clear-sighted reason; seeing, loving, and willing the best on the plane of life that has been reached, strong in moral initiation, and able to grow independently ever toward the loftier vision and nobler action' (p. 66).  In connection with this ideal of character, it will be well to cite the author's conception of a moral life, which is that of 'happy and helpful living':  and this is to be attained, on the whole, by the kind of culture which initiates one into the best life of the race, but which tends to strengthen the individual to independent living in all the ranges of thought and conduct."

Source:  Sprague, Leslie Willis, "MORAL EDUCATION.  By Edward Howard Griggs, Author of 'The New Humanism,'" in International Journal of Ethics, Vol. 15, No. 3, April 1905, pp. 379-81 (Chicago, IL:  University of Chicago Press, 1905).

All students of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls attended the commencement ceremony that day.  During a processional hymn sung by the attendees, the non-graduating students marched into the auditorium to their seats, then waited as the ten graduating students marched in dressed in white graduation gowns and white graduation caps.

At the conclusion of the hymn, attendees were seated and Mrs. Hazen spoke.  Her brief remarks focused on the fact that those in attendance were part of the twentieth annual commencement ceremony at Pelham Hall.  Following Emily Hazen's remarks, Associate Principal Tracy delivered an annual report on the school and its students.

Following the annual report, the students sang songs for the crowd.  Thereafter, academic awards and prizes were given to the students.  Six of the graduating seniors received awards:

Helen Audry Almy - Abbe Hageman Hall Memorial Prizes in United States History, Second Prize
Katherine Lea Donald - Corlies Literary Prize
Frances Emily Gwyer - Robert C. Black Recreation Prize
Gladys Shafer - Houghton Scholastic Prize
Mary Arnold Swoope - Abbe Hageman Hall Memorial Prizes in United States History, First Prize
Georgie Derrick Temple - Edith Hazen Tiers Honor Prize

Ten other students who were not graduating 

Mabel Marie Damon - Intermediate First Prize 
Marie Madeline Doelger - A Testimonial
Winifred Mary Margaret Heath - A Testimonial 
Helen Rogers - A Testimonial
Anne Hubbell Seymour - Primary Second Prize
Aline Katherine Tiedemann - Primary First Prize
Helen Dorothy Tiedemann - Intermediate Second Prize
Gertrude Schultz Watson - Hatch Medal
Alys Sinclair - Hazen Medal
Agnes Winston - A Testimonial

In addition, because Associate Principal McKay was retiring after serving at Pelham Hall for eleven years, the students of the school presented her with "a beautiful silver cup."  After the presentation, the attendees sang The Star Spangled Banner.

After the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, Edward Howard Griggs delivered an "interesting address."  Research has not revealed any record of the substance of the address by Dr. Griggs that day.  

At the conclusion of the keynote address by Dr. Griggs, Pelham Hall students sang "Alma Mater."  The ceremony closed with a prayer by Reverend Leary, the singing of the Doxology, and a benediction by Rev. Brown.   

Indeed, today's students of Pelham Memorial High School would recognize the commencement ceremony -- indeed, it would seem familiar today -- though it was celebrated nearly 108 years ago by the students of Pelham Hall, Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.    

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"AT THE HAZEN SCHOOL
-----
Commencement Exercises Hold Attention.

Pelham Manor, June 3.  --  The twentieth annual commencement exercises of Mrs. Hazen's school, Pelham Manor was held in Pelham hall yesterday morning.  In view of the fact that it was twenty years ago since the school was founded, many of the former graduates came from all parts of the United States to be present at the various events which take place during commencement week.  

Notwithstanding the rain, the attendance was good.  The interior of Pelham hall presented a scene of unusual beauty with its decorations of green boughs, while in the rear of the platform was the word 'Pelham Hall' in white letters on a green background.  Seated on the platform were Mrs. Hazen, Miss McKay and Miss Tracy, associate principals, the speaker of the day and the well known writer, Edward Howard Griggs; Rev. Lewis Gaston Leary, Ph. D., pastor of the Pelham Manor Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. H. H. Brown, rector of the Church of the Redeemer, in North Pelham.

The exercises opened with the processional hymn, during the singing of which the scholars marched to their seats in the hall, followed by the graduates, attired in white gowns and white caps.  

At the conclusion of the hymn, Mrs. Hazen made a few remarks, in which she called attention to the fact that it was twenty years ago that the school was established.

After the annual report of the department work had been read by Miss Tracy and singing by the school, the awards of prizes, testimonials and diplomas took place, as follows:  Abbe Hageman Hall memorial prizes in United States history, first, Miss Mary Arnold Swoope second prize, Miss Helen Audry Almy; Corlies literary prize, Miss Katherine Lea Donald; Houghton scholastic prize, given by two sisters who succeeded each other in the school as graduates who wished to perpetuate their name for all around scholarship, Miss Gladys Shafer; Robert C. Black recreation prize, Miss Frances Emily Gwyer; Edith Hazen Tiers honor prize, Miss Georgie Derrick Temple; intermediate first prize, Mabel Marie Damon; intermediate second prize, Helen Dorothy Tiedemann; Hatch medal, Gertrude Schultz Watson; primary first prize, Aline Katherine Tiedemann; primary second prize, Anne Hubbell Seymour; Hazen medal, Alys Sinclair.

Miss McKay, who retired as associate principal after being in the school eleven years was the recipient of a beautiful silver cup from the pupils.

Testimonials were awarded to Miss Marie Madeline Doelger, Miss Winifred Mary Margaret Heath, Miss Helen Rogers and Miss Agnes Winston.

The following were the graduates:  Margaret Adams, Helen Audry Almy, Katherine Lea Donald, Frances Emily Gwyer, Marion Winston Hoyle, Helen E. Williams Hyde, Gladys Shafer, Minnie Carlotto Splane, Mary Arnold Swoope, Georgie Derrick Temple.  As each graduate stepped to the front of the platform when her name was called Mrs. Hazen made brief remarks about the young lady's attainments during her school course.

After the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, Mr. Griggs delivered an interesting address.

The exercises were brought to a close with the singing of 'Alma Mater' by the school, prayer by the Rev. Lewis Gaston Leary, Ph. D., while the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. H. H. Brown after the doxology was sung."

Source:  AT THE HAZEN SCHOOL -- Commencement Exercises Hold Attention, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 12, 1909, Vol. 51, No. 11, p. 2, col. 4.  

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I have written extensively about the private school known as "Pelham Hall" and "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  For a few of the many examples, see:

Bell, Blake A., Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls: Pelham Hall, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 40, Oct. 8, 2004, p. 12, col. 1.

Wed., Dec. 30, 2015:  Interesting Account of 1894 Graduation Exercises Conducted by Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Wed., Mar. 18, 2015:  Account of Women's Cricket Match Played by Pelham Manor Women in 1898.

Tue., Feb. 03, 2015:  1907 Commencement Exercises at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Mon., Feb. 02, 2015:  The Three Houses of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in the Late 19th Century.

Tue., Nov. 25, 2014:  Too Smart for Late 19th Century Scammers: Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Tue., Mar. 11, 2014:  An Early History of Mrs. Hazen's School For Girls in Pelham Manor, Published in 1913.

Mon., Aug. 15, 2005:  952 Pelhamdale Served as a 19th Century School for Girls, Then a School for Boys. 

Fri., Oct. 14, 2005:  A Reunion of Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls. 

Tue., Aug. 22, 2006:  Early Advertisements for Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Wed., Sep. 6, 2006:  Pelham Hall Shelter, a "Refuge for Erring Girls", Founded by Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Thu., Jul. 12, 2007:  The Infamous Burglary of the Girls of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor in 1905.  

Mon., Mar. 3, 2008:  1891 Advertisement May Reflect Summer Rental of One of the Dormitories of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2009:  Late 19th Century Photos of Students with Tennis Rackets at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

1907 Commencement Exercises at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Yesterday I wrote about the three houses of the Pelham Manor private school known as "Pelham Hall" and "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  See Mon., Feb. 02, 2015:  The Three Houses of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in the Late 19th Century.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog addresses Pelham Hall once again.  It transcribes an article containing a detailed description of the commencement ceremonies held at the school on May 31, 1907.  In addition to a listing of the twelve seniors who graduated from the school that year, the article also describes the ceremonies, lists the prizes and honors awarded, and details the remarks of the keynote speaker, the Rev. Charles R. Wood, pastor of the Walnut street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

Post Card Image of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls Showing, From Left

to Right:  Chester House, Edgewood House, and Marbury House in About 1906.

"GRADUATION AT PELHAM MANOR
-----

Pelham Manor, May 31.  In the presence of parents, relatives and friends, the members of the graduating class of Mrs. Hazen's school held their commencement exercises in Pelham hall Wednesday morning.  There was a large attendance.  The hall presented a pretty scene with its decorations of wild flowers and green boughs which adorned the walls of the room and the platform.  

The program of the morning was opened shortly after eleven o'clock when the scholars of the school from the senior to the smallest member of the primary department marched into the hall singing their professional hymn.  The last to enter were the seniors who were attired in white cap and gowns.

After the scholars had taken their seats, Mrs. J. C. Hazen, the principal of the school, welcomed the visitors most cordially and referred to the past school year as one of unusual prosperity and happiness.  She spoke among other things, about the health of the scholars and said that there had not been a single case of contagious disease.  'With grateful heart we acknowledge our exemption from death and accident,' she said.  She mentioned several Pelham Manor residents to whom the school was particularly indebted for their interest in the same and remarked, 'We extend thanks to one and all who have manifested any interest in this school.'  She then read a report of the standing of the scholars in the primary and intermediate departments.  In this connection special mention should be made of George and Marie Suter of New Rochelle who had a percentage of 100 for punctuality.

After singing by the scholars, Mrs. Hazen continued her report of department work in the other branches of the school and then proceeded to call the members of the graduating class to the front each scholar being briefly eulogized by the principal.  Then followed the award of the diplomas and the following testimonials and prizzes [sic].  Testimonials to Ada Clara Connor, Claire Chichester Curran and Lulu Belle Jones; Abbie Hagaman Hall Memorial prizes in United States History to Lucy Angeline Soper and Genevieve Story De Klyn; Corlies Literary prize, Dorothy Donald; Houghton Scholastic prize, Marietta Russell; Robert C. Black recreation prize, Anne Evelyn Harris; Edith Hazen Tiers honor prizes, Marguerite Temple both of whom were equal in percentage; Bessie Cowee gymnasium prize, Mabel Violet Wetzel; intermediate first grade prize, Esther King Norton; intermediate second grade prize, Louisa Lear Eyre; Hatch medal, Katherine Seymour; primary first grade prize, Mabel Marie Damon; Hazen medal, Eda Evelyn Cooper.

Then followed the presentation of the United States flag which is always the first prize for the best United States historical essay.  The winner of this prize was Miss Lucy Angeline Soper and she was awarded the flag by Col. W. C. Gorgas who has charge of the sanitary department of the work of the Isthmus of Panama.  Col. Gorgas made a brief remark.

After singing of the Star Spangled Banner, the Rev. Charles R. Wood, D. D., LL. D., pastor of the Walnut street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, delivered the address to the graduating class.  Dr. Wood spoke upon certain phases of education which make one truly responsive to the light that comes to the educated mind.  In the course of his remarks he took opportunity to score certain kinds of society which he said was referred to as 'the survival of the slickest rather than the survival of the fittest.'

He said in part:  'One of the highest privileges is that of scattering good advice among the young people.  And it is your privilege to receive the advice, weigh it, and do what you choose with it.'  Dr. Wood then spoke upon the personal application of education and said that it is the response to the light that we have.  He stated further:  'The response of a tense violin string when it is struck is visible and audible but not more reliable than every molecule of matter exposed to the external stroke.  The responses of the rays of light are different in various parts of the earth.  The response in the Arctic zone is a modest white flower; in the temperate zone it is broad fields of waving grass, or a stately tree, etc.; in response to the tropics is a growth of palms or an impenetrable jungle or extravagant vegetation.  The moon moves across the sky and the great waves lift themselves up to do its bidding.  The man of science holds out in his hand a triangle of glass and a star, billions of miles away, unfolds to him its secrets and tells him just what it has held in its heart.

'The world is a great music hall.  Every voice has its echo.  Between voice and echo there runs great shining paths and avenues and over them we may walk with the utmost confidence.  Man in the world stands at the very apex of possibility.  He alone has in his power to say what his response shall be to the light.  He may stand sullen and silent and not open eyes.  Then all the channels of usefulness are shut to him and he dies in his sulleness [sic].  If he becomes responsive, then there is nothing to good for him to learn about.  Then nature tells him why the winds blow, etc.; the stars tell him their secretes.  The truth is unfolded to him.  All our sciences have become to us through the men who have made the fitting response to circumstances.

'As with science, so with art.  Look out on the world of color.  You make your response to it.  You paint upon the canvas your impressions and soon living creatures look down on you.

'What is an education?  An education is a knowledge of facts and the relation of facts and the laws that govern these facts.  Education does not begin at the school.  It begins long before the school.  It begins in the cradle when the infant cries.  With the cry the infant has found the fact of its own need.  The desire to have this need gratified is made known through the medium of a cry.  That is about as far as a great many people get in this world.  With them it is a continual cry for clothing, for jewels, for amusements, for sensationals.  Their only language is a cry and that cry is kept up all through life.  They known nothing more than a cry.  They believe that if they only cry loud enough the world will gratify their wants.  These are the spoiled children:  the paragoric indulgents:  the mollicodles that the President refers to.  

'What are all these powers for, that we possess?  They were given to us to use.  Not by crying but by self-reliance-by-deeds.  Self reliance is the beginning of education.  Now you return to your homes.  Can you adapt yourselves there?  You have made the fitting response to your circumstances in this school.  What about those homes that you are to establish?  Are you to be a joy, a delight, an inspiration?  What will be your response under the circumstances?  What will be your response in society; in its alurements [sic], its vulgarity; its corruptions; in that society which someone has called, 'not the survival of the fittest, but of the slickest.'  Blessed are you if you have learned your position in life.  Blessed is that sould that has come to realize and to see that no life as attained its ideal until the response of the soul to righteousness is glad and meek submission.  It will not be long before you will see how very hard it is not only to be a Christian, but to be a woman; to be a man.

'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; all power is given unto me.  Trusting in the great leader of the universe, you shall conquer and the world will rejoice.'

The prayer was offered by the Rev. Charles E. Robinson, D. D., of Pelham Manor.

The following are the graduates:  Genevieve Story DeKlyn, Dorothy Donald, Aileen Lyster Gorgas, Alice Margaret Knight, Helen Louise McDonnell, Margaret Flaccus Miller, Marguerite Elizabeth Stearns, Marietta Russell, Anna Cady Smith, Lucy Angeline Soper, Helen Margaret Splane, Marguerite Temple."

Source:  GRADUATION AT PELHAM MANOR, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 31, 1907, p. 7, cols. 1-2.  

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I have written extensively about the private school known as "Pelham Hall" and "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  For a few of the many examples, see:

Bell, Blake A., Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls: Pelham Hall, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 40, Oct. 8, 2004, p. 12, col. 1.

Mon., Feb. 02, 2015:  The Three Houses of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in the Late 19th Century.

Tue., Nov. 25, 2014:  Too Smart for Late 19th Century Scammers: Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Tue., Mar. 11, 2014:  An Early History of Mrs. Hazen's School For Girls in Pelham Manor, Published in 1913.

Mon., Aug. 15, 2005:  952 Pelhamdale Served as a 19th Century School for Girls, Then a School for Boys. 

Fri., Oct. 14, 2005:  A Reunion of Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls. 

Tue., Aug. 22, 2006:  Early Advertisements for Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Wed., Sep. 6, 2006:  Pelham Hall Shelter, a "Refuge for Erring Girls", Founded by Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Thu., Jul. 12, 2007:  The Infamous Burglary of the Girls of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor in 1905.  

Mon., Mar. 3, 2008:  1891 Advertisement May Reflect Summer Rental of One of the Dormitories of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2009:  Late 19th Century Photos of Students with Tennis Rackets at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

The Three Houses of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in the Late 19th Century

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

As local developers and land owners worked to subdivide and develop properties in the sleepy little settlement known as Pelham Manor during the 1880's, one of the issues that arose was the adequacy of local public schools.  To attract potential residents and real estate purchasers, local citizens pressed for the development of private schools to supplement the public school system. 

The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York had a star teacher in the 1880's.  Her name was Emily Hall Hazen.  A few Pelham Manor landowners coveted the teacher’s talents and experience.  They still were trying to develop the remnants of the subdivision planned by the Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association founded in the early 1870's. 

To attract “upper class buyers,” a Pelham Manor landowner named Silas H. Witherbee recruited Mrs. Hazen to open a girl’s preparatory school in Pelham Manor.  According to one account, “although Mrs. Hazen was urged to locate elsewhere, she yielded to the persuasion and promise of support given by the residents of Pelham Manor.”  In 1889 the little school opened in a structure that still stands at 952 Pelhamdale Avenue.  The school became one of the finest girls’ schools in the country before it closed twenty-five years later at the end of the 1914-1915 school year.  The school, officially named "Pelham Hall," was known far and wide as "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  As the school reached its last years, it had served over a thousand students from forty-two States and over two hundred and fifty towns and cities throughout the country.

By the late 19th century, however, the school had grown into a campus with three principal "Houses" in which the young students lived, studied, and socialized.  The three buildings were named "Chester House," "Edgewood House," and "Marbury House."  They were grouped together within an area adjacent to Boston Post Road between the Esplanade and Edgewood Avenue.  

Immediately below is a detail from a map of the area by John F. Fairchild published in 1899.  It clearly shows the three structures and provides their names.  Additionally, it shows the dotted outlines of carriage driveways and paths throughout the campus among the three structures.  As the map suggests, the structures form a triangle on the small campus with Chester House and Marbury House facing Esplanade and Edgewood House to the rear of those two buildings, closer to Edgewood Avenue.

Source:  Double-Page Map on Plate 22 in Fairchild, John F.,

Atlas of the City of Mount of Vernon and the Town of Pelham.

Compiled from Official Records, Personal Surveys and Other Private

Plans and Surveys. 1899. Compiled and published by John F. Fairchild.

Civil Engineer and Surveyor. Rooms, 10-11 Bank Buliding, Mount Vernon,

N.Y. (1899) (Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New

York Public Library).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

A post card mailed in 1906 contains a photograph of the small campus.  All three Houses of the school are visible in the photograph which was taken from the Esplanade.  Chester House is visible on the left, Edgewood House is visible in the center (in the rear), and Marbury House is visible on the right.  

"Mrs. Hazen's School, Pelham Manor, New York,"

A Postally-Used Post Card Mailed in 1906.

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I have written extensively about the private school known as "Pelham Hall" and "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  For a few of the many examples, see:

Bell, Blake A., Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls: Pelham Hall, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 40, Oct. 8, 2004, p. 12, col. 1.

Tue., Nov. 25, 2014:  Too Smart for Late 19th Century Scammers: Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Tue., Mar. 11, 2014:  An Early History of Mrs. Hazen's School For Girls in Pelham Manor, Published in 1913.

Mon., Aug. 15, 2005:  952 Pelhamdale Served as a 19th Century School for Girls, Then a School for Boys. 

Fri., Oct. 14, 2005:  A Reunion of Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls. 

Tue., Aug. 22, 2006:  Early Advertisements for Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Wed., Sep. 6, 2006:  Pelham Hall Shelter, a "Refuge for Erring Girls", Founded by Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Thu., Jul. 12, 2007:  The Infamous Burglary of the Girls of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor in 1905.  

Mon., Mar. 3, 2008:  1891 Advertisement May Reflect Summer Rental of One of the Dormitories of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2009:  Late 19th Century Photos of Students with Tennis Rackets at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."