Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy
Encyclopedia
Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy was one of the oldest educational institutions of the Methodist Episcopal Church
. It was originally established by Methodist clergy
of New England
, in 1818. Originally located in New Market, New Hampshire, it was intended both for general educational purposes as well as for young men intending to enter the ordained ministry.
was obtained from the legislature
of Massachusetts
, and the academy was moved to Wilbraham, Massachusetts
, where it opened in September 1825. Eight students were present on opening day, and thirty-five attended during that first term. Its first Principal after it moved to Massachusetts was Dr. Wilbur Fisk
, who served until 1831 (when he became President
of Wesleyan University
). The Academy later merged with Monson Academy and became Wilbraham & Monson Academy
which continues to occupy the Wilbraham campus.
at the time contained 5,300 volumes, with good philosophical
, chemical
and mathematical apparatus, a cabinet, museum
, and apparatus valued at $14,000 (at that time).
s in the various departments. Its students, which included both young men and young women (indeed, one-third of the total students were women, somewhat unique at that time), averaged between 200 and 300 per year. Many engaged in teaching and professional studies. Some prepared for college
.
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
. It was originally established by Methodist clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
of New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, in 1818. Originally located in New Market, New Hampshire, it was intended both for general educational purposes as well as for young men intending to enter the ordained ministry.
Move to Massachusetts
In 1824 an act of incorporationIncorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
was obtained from the legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and the academy was moved to Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Wilbraham is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is also a suburb of the City of Springfield, Massachusetts and part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,868 at the 2010 census...
, where it opened in September 1825. Eight students were present on opening day, and thirty-five attended during that first term. Its first Principal after it moved to Massachusetts was Dr. Wilbur Fisk
Wilbur Fisk
Willbur Fisk , also known as Wilbur Fisk, was a prominent American Methodist minister, educator and theologian. He was the first President of Wesleyan University. Willbur Fisk (August 31, 1792 – February 22, 1839), also known as Wilbur Fisk, was a prominent American Methodist minister,...
, who served until 1831 (when he became President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
). The Academy later merged with Monson Academy and became Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Wilbraham & Monson Academy is a prep school located in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1804, it is one of the fifteen oldest schools on the eastern coast of the United States. It is a four year boarding and day high school for students in grades 6-12 and postgraduate. The academy is located in...
which continues to occupy the Wilbraham campus.
Other principals
Following Dr. Fisk, these men served in succession as principal of Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy:- W. McK. Bangs, A.M. (1831–32)
- John Foster, A.M.(1832–34)
- David Patton, D.D. (1834–41)
- Charles Adams, D.D. (1841–45)
- Robert Allyn, D.D. (1845–48)
- Minor Raymon, D.D. (1848–64)
- Edward Cooke, D.D. (1864–74)
- Nathaniel Fellows, A.M. (1874- )
Academic facilities
In the 1870s, Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy was in a healthful and beautiful location, with extensive grounds, including farmland of 196 acre (0.79318456 km²). There were six buildings devoted to academic purposes, the chief of which were large and most conveniently arranged. Its libraryLibrary
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
at the time contained 5,300 volumes, with good philosophical
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, chemical
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and mathematical apparatus, a cabinet, museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
, and apparatus valued at $14,000 (at that time).
Faculty and student body
The Academy employed a corps of able professorProfessor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
s in the various departments. Its students, which included both young men and young women (indeed, one-third of the total students were women, somewhat unique at that time), averaged between 200 and 300 per year. Many engaged in teaching and professional studies. Some prepared for college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
.
Notable alumni
- Osman Cleander BakerOsman Cleander BakerOsman Cleander Baker was an American biblical scholar and Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.-Early life:...
(1812–1871), a bishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Methodist Episcopal Church - Isaac GoodnowIsaac GoodnowIsaac Tichenor Goodnow was an abolitionist and co-founder of Kansas State University and Manhattan, Kansas. Goodnow was also elected to the Kansas House of Representatives and as Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state, and is known as "the father of formal education in Kansas."-...
(1814–1894), a founder of Kansas State UniversityKansas State UniversityKansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
and Manhattan, KansasManhattan, KansasManhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281... - John Christian KeenerJohn Christian KeenerJohn Christian Keener was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, elected in 1870.-Early life:...
(1819–1906), a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, SouthMethodist Episcopal Church, SouthThe Methodist Episcopal Church, South, or Methodist Episcopal Church South, was the so-called "Southern Methodist Church" resulting from the split over the issue of slavery in the Methodist Episcopal Church which had been brewing over several years until it came out into the open at a conference... - John W. Wescott (1849–1927), Attorney GeneralNew Jersey Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General of New Jersey is a member of the executive cabinet of the state. The office is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and term limited...
of New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...