Julia Williams Study and Archives Center

  • About Us & Julia A. Williams
  • Blog
  • Saunders Family Library

In Memoriam: Lillian Cabell Gay

September 3, 2016 by Ben Lamb Leave a Comment

Lillian Cabell, 1932 Torch

Lillian Cabell’s senior portrait from the 1932 Torch

Katie Taylor contacted me in September 2015 to ask if I might be able to gather a few items from her Aunt Lillian Cabell Gay’s time at Collegiate in advance of “Lil’s” 100th birthday. “Sure” I said. It was a simple request. An hour tops.

Well, not exactly. I emerged a month later, deeply fascinated by the life of this incredible woman from the Class of 1932 and with enough material to fill a good sized binder. By all accounts it was well received.

I received word from Katie at the end of May that Lillian Cabell Gay passed away on May 6, 2016.

How do you eulogize someone you’ve never met? By taking measure of the things they left behind, of the people they loved and those who loved them. In that spirit I’ve shared below some of the material found while researching Lillian’s life and the obituary for Mrs. Gay that was shared with me. Taken all together, I think you get a sense of Lillian Cabell Gay, Aunt Lillian, “Lil,” of her adventurous life,  and of a life well lived.

Lillian Cabell Gay at 90

Lillian Cabell Gay at 90. Photo courtesy of Katie Taylor.

Lillian Cabell Gay, of Lakewood, Pennsylvania, died on May 6, 2016 in Waymart, Pennsylvania where she had been a resident of Wayne Woodlands Manor for the last ten months.

Lillian was born on October 16, 1915 in Richmond, Virginia. She enjoyed what she once described as a “magical” childhood in Richmond’s Ginter Park neighborhood where she was embraced by her extended family, friends, and her church family at the Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. She graduated from the Collegiate School and received a BA degree in Biblical Literature from Sweet Briar College in 1936. While attending college, she spent summers at Camp Barnard in Vermont’s Green Mountains where she led wilderness canoe trips and served as a waterfront instructor.

Following her graduation from college, Lillian taught at The Cathedral School in Havana, Cuba, and also tutored privately.

In 1940, she married James Rowland Gay, also of Richmond, with whom she shared seventy-five years of loving marriage. Lillian supported Jim’s medical career as a neurosurgeon in every way; during the early years of his practice, she was his office administrator.

A medical colleague of Jim’s was barred from leaving his homeland of Cuba during the early years of the Castro regime, but he sent his children unaccompanied to the United States. Lillian and Jim opened their home and hearts to these children and others in similar situations and raised them as their own.

During the course of Jim’s medical practice, he and Lillian lived in White Plains, NY; Columbus, OH; Bethlehem, PA; Albuquerque, NM; and Memphis, TN. They took delight in welcoming family and friends into their home wherever they were located. They joined local Presbyterian Churches in which Lillian often served as deacon or elder. They also traveled extensively, embracing the culture of whatever country they were visiting and meeting residents, many of whom became life-long friends.

After Jim’s retirement in 1982, he and Lillian moved to Lakewood, Pennsylvania where they enjoyed the beauty of their home’s natural surroundings on Little Spruce Lake. They pursued their love of fishing, most often as members of the Juniper Club in Florida. Lillian belonged to the Honesdale Rotary Club where she was a Paul Harris Fellow. She attended the First Presbyterian Church in Honesdale and the Lake Como United Methodist Church in Lake Como.

Lillian will long be remembered for the twinkle in her eye, her infectious laughter, her engaging stories, and above all, for her love of family, friends, and God.

She was preceded in death by her husband James, her parents Royal and Lillian Lorraine Cabell, and her brothers Charles, William, and Royal Cabell.

She is survived by her Cuban children Rolando Bonachea, Sergio Diaz-Briquets, Arhran Perez, and Ana and George Picaza; her sister-in-law, Ruth Gay Frederick; and her nieces and nephews Elizabeth Weinstein, Christina Bennett, Charles Cabell, Katie Taylor, Bill Cabell, Sharon Hadley, Carolyn Homer, Anne Warnott, Gay Opdyke, Berkeley Adams, and James Adams.

Lillian Cabell, 1932 Torch
Lillian Cabell, 1932 Torch
Lillian Cabell, 1932 Torch
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Deep Run Hunt Club Show Draws Seventy Four Entries," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 24, 1924
"Deep Run Hunt Club Show Draws Seventy Four Entries," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 24, 1924
"Deep Run Hunt Club Show Draws Seventy Four Entries," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 24, 1924
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"My Pony" by Lillian Cabell, Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 24, 1924
"My Pony" by Lillian Cabell, Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 24, 1924
"My Pony" by Lillian Cabell, Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 24, 1924

8 year-old Lillian Cabell contributed this short piece on her pony "Lightfoot" to he Richmond Times-Dispatch where it appeared on November 24, 1924.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Santa To Visit Ginter Park," Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 19, 1926
"Santa To Visit Ginter Park," Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 19, 1926
"Santa To Visit Ginter Park," Richmond Times-Dispatch, December 19, 1926
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Collegiate Chat Staff, 1931 Torch
Collegiate Chat Staff, 1931 Torch
Collegiate Chat Staff, 1931 Torch

The 1931 staff of the school's student-run newspaper, the Collegiate Chat, pictured in front of the Town School on Monument Avenue. Junior Lillian Cabell (third from left) served as the paper's Athletic Editor.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Senior Portraits, 1932 Torch
Senior Portraits, 1932 Torch
Senior Portraits, 1932 Torch

Lillian Cabell's portrait in the 1932 Torch references her academic and athletic abilities, as well as her nickname, "Donie."

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Torch Staff, 1932 Torch
Torch Staff, 1932 Torch
Torch Staff, 1932 Torch
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Announce Cast For Collegiate Senior's Play," Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 24, 1932
"Announce Cast For Collegiate Senior's Play," Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 24, 1932
"Announce Cast For Collegiate Senior's Play," Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 24, 1932

Lillian Cabell played "Harry Rackell" in the 1932 senior class production of Booth Tarkington's "Monsieur Beaucaire." A highlight of the year, the senior play saw the young women of the Town School engaged in every aspect of production including making costumes and building sets. As an all girls school, they performed both male and female roles.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Monsieur Beaucarie, Senior Play Program, 1932
Monsieur Beaucarie, Senior Play Program, 1932
Monsieur Beaucarie, Senior Play Program, 1932
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Monsieur Beaucarie, Senior Play Program, 1932
Monsieur Beaucarie, Senior Play Program, 1932
Monsieur Beaucarie, Senior Play Program, 1932
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Goucher Dean Finals Speaker For Collegiate," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 19, 1932
"Goucher Dean Finals Speaker For Collegiate," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 19, 1932
"Goucher Dean Finals Speaker For Collegiate," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 19, 1932
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Entertain Graduates." Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 14, 1932
"Entertain Graduates." Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 14, 1932
"Entertain Graduates." Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 14, 1932

1932 graduates of the Collegiate School for Girls and four other area high schools attend a tea hosted by the Richmond Chapter of the Randolph-Macon Alumnae Association. Miss Lillian Cabell, listed here, would go on to attend Sweet Briar College. This notice appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on June 14, 1932.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"17 Graduated At Collegiate School for Girls," Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 17, 1932
"17 Graduated At Collegiate School for Girls," Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 17, 1932
"17 Graduated At Collegiate School for Girls," Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 17, 1932

Richmond Times-Dispatch article marking Collegiate's 1932 graduation exercises. The 17 graduates of the school's 17th class gathered in the auditorium of the Woman's Club and heard from a number of notable speakers. Dr. Dorothy Stimson, dean of Goucher College, delivered the commencement address, continuing Collegiate's long tradition of notable speakers from the field of Women's education.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Commencement Program, 1932
Commencement Program, 1932
Commencement Program, 1932
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Commencement Program, 1932
Commencement Program, 1932
Commencement Program, 1932
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Girl Fancy Divers In Action At Ginter Park Swimming Meet," Richmond Times Dispatch, September 4, 1932
"Girl Fancy Divers In Action At Ginter Park Swimming Meet," Richmond Times Dispatch, September 4, 1932
"Girl Fancy Divers In Action At Ginter Park Swimming Meet," Richmond Times Dispatch, September 4, 1932

A resident of Richmond's Ginter Park neighborhood, Lillian Cabell (top right) placed second in a diving event held at the Ginter Park Community Center. Pictures and coverage of the event appeared on the front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch on September 4, 1932.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"3 Richmonders To Get Sweet Briar Degrees," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 31, 1936
"3 Richmonders To Get Sweet Briar Degrees," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 31, 1936
"3 Richmonders To Get Sweet Briar Degrees," Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 31, 1936
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Notice of Lillian Cabell's graduation from Sweet Briar College, Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 1, 1936
Notice of Lillian Cabell's graduation from Sweet Briar College, Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 1, 1936
Notice of Lillian Cabell's graduation from Sweet Briar College, Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 1, 1936
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Miss Lillian Cabell...," Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 7, 1936
"Miss Lillian Cabell...," Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 7, 1936
"Miss Lillian Cabell...," Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 7, 1936
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Miss Lillian Cabell leaves for Havana, Cuba, September 6, 1936
Miss Lillian Cabell leaves for Havana, Cuba, September 6, 1936
Miss Lillian Cabell leaves for Havana, Cuba, September 6, 1936

Following her graduation from Sweet Briar College, Lillian Cabell Gay traveled to Cuba to teach at The Cathedral School. This notice, marking her departure, appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on September 6, 1936.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
"Collegiate Alumnae Make Plans For The Winter," Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 22, 1937
"Collegiate Alumnae Make Plans For The Winter," Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 22, 1937
"Collegiate Alumnae Make Plans For The Winter," Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 22, 1937

Lillian Cabell served as president of the Collegiate Alumnae Association from 1937 to 1938 where she spearheaded numerous events to aid the school.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Book Of Secretary, Collegiate School Alumnae Association, 1924 To 1940
Book Of Secretary, Collegiate School Alumnae Association, 1924 To 1940
Book Of Secretary, Collegiate School Alumnae Association, 1924 To 1940
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Book Of Secretary, Collegiate School Alumnae Association, 1924-1940
Book Of Secretary, Collegiate School Alumnae Association, 1924-1940
Book Of Secretary, Collegiate School Alumnae Association, 1924-1940
#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Engagement Announcement, Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay, Richmond Times-Dispatch,  May 20, 1940
Engagement Announcement, Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay, Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 20, 1940
Engagement Announcement, Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay, Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 20, 1940

This photograph announcing the engagement of Miss Lillian Cabell to Dr. James Rowland Gay appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on May 20, 1940. They were married on July 2, 1940 and celebrated 75 years together.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Wedding Announcement, Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 3, 1940
Wedding Announcement, Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 3, 1940
Wedding Announcement, Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay, Richmond Times-Dispatch, July 3, 1940

Wedding announcement of Miss Lillian Cabell and Dr. James Rowland Gay appearing in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on July 3, 1940. They were married for 75 years.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Lillian Cabell Gay at 90
Lillian Cabell Gay at 90
Lillian Cabell Gay at 90

Photo courtesy of Katie Taylor.

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay
Lillian Cabell Gay, 100th Birthday Celebration
Lillian Cabell Gay, 100th Birthday Celebration
Lillian Cabell Gay, 100th Birthday Celebration

Photo courtesy Katie Taylor

#Lillian Cabell Gay
Album Lillian Cabell Gay

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 1932, Collegiate Alumnae Association, Collegiate School for Girls, Lillian Cabell Gay, Monument Avenue, slider, Town School

Traditions: May Day at Collegiate

April 1, 2016 by Ben Lamb Leave a Comment

1937 Torch - May Day - Court - C. 1936 - 1937

May 1st means May Day.

Enjoy this collection of images and ephemera spanning the 54 year history of May Day festivities at Collegiate School.

"May Day at Collegiate" in the1959 Torch, p.68
"May Day at Collegiate" in the1959 Torch, p.68
"May Day at Collegiate" in the1959 Torch, p.68
Album Class of 1959: May Day
"May Day at Collegiate" in the1959 Torch, p.69
"May Day at Collegiate" in the1959 Torch, p.69
"May Day at Collegiate" in the1959 Torch, p.69
Album Class of 1959: May Day
"May Queen" from The Match, May 1959
"May Queen" from The Match, May 1959
"May Queen" from The Match, May 1959
Album Class of 1959: May Day
May Day Program, 1959
May Day Program, 1959
May Day Program, 1959
Album Class of 1959: May Day
May Day Story Outline, 1959, p. 2
May Day Story Outline, 1959, p. 2
May Day Story Outline, 1959, p. 2
Album Class of 1959: May Day
May Day Story Outline, 1959, p. 1
May Day Story Outline, 1959, p. 1
May Day Story Outline, 1959, p. 1
Album Class of 1959: May Day
"Medieval Age Tournament Comes To Life" from The Match, April 1959
"Medieval Age Tournament Comes To Life" from The Match, April 1959
"Medieval Age Tournament Comes To Life" from The Match, April 1959
Album Class of 1959: May Day
Fleet Gregory is crowned May Queen by Maid of Honor Beverly Brockenbrough, 1965
Fleet Gregory is crowned May Queen by Maid of Honor Beverly Brockenbrough, 1965
Fleet Gregory is crowned May Queen by Maid of Honor Beverly Brockenbrough, 1965

The caption for this photograph in the 1965 Torch reads: "Beverly Brockenbrough, the Maid of Honor, crowns Fleet Gregory Queen of the May." Changes in that year's May Day festivities included the location. "This year the woods offered a more attractive setting for the May Court, which has previously been held on the cafetorium lawn."

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
Kneeling by the May Pole
Kneeling by the May Pole
Kneeling by the May Pole

Undated photograph of May Day festivities on Collegiate's River Road & Mooreland Road campus.

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
Procession of the May Queen, 1970
Procession of the May Queen, 1970
Procession of the May Queen, 1970

A young spectator watches the procession of the May Queen in this color snapshot. Jacobs Gym is visible in the background.

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Court, ca. 1962
May Day Court, ca. 1962
May Day Court, ca. 1962
#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Moves Indoors
May Day Moves Indoors
May Day Moves Indoors

Inclement weather sends the May Day festivities indoors. In this undated photograph, revelers improvise center court inside Jacobs gym.

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day on the Lawn
May Day on the Lawn
May Day on the Lawn

This undated photograph provides an expansive view of the Collegiate's May Day celebration.

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
Above The Crowd, ca. 1965
Above The Crowd, ca. 1965
Above The Crowd, ca. 1965

A group of men and boys observe the May Day festivities from the sidelines while the May Court watches from the shade.

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
Raising a May Pole
Raising a May Pole
Raising a May Pole
#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
Faces in the Crowd, 1960
Faces in the Crowd, 1960
Faces in the Crowd, 1960

Teacher Helen Tanner and Headmistress Catherine Stauffer Flippen are among the familiar faces in this May Day crowd scene. Mrs. Flippen holds the bouquet given to her when she was crowned Queen of the final Country Day School May Day program.

Album May Day at Collegiate
May Court, ca. 1935
May Court, ca. 1935
May Court, ca. 1935
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Portrait, ca. 1935
May Day Portrait, ca. 1935
May Day Portrait, ca. 1935
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Program, 1987
May Day Program, 1987
May Day Program, 1987

The program for Collegiate's final May Day celebration. The end of May Day in 1987 marked the end of a tradition that began at the Town School in 1933.

#May Day
Album May Day at Collegiate
Headmaster Malcom U. Pitt, Jr. and Members of the Class of 1987
Headmaster Malcom U. Pitt, Jr. and Members of the Class of 1987
Headmaster Malcom U. Pitt, Jr. and Members of the Class of 1987
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Queen and Court, 1986
May Day Queen and Court, 1986
May Day Queen and Court, 1986
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Queen, 1977
May Queen, 1977
May Queen, 1977
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Queen and Court, 1977
May Day Queen and Court, 1977
May Day Queen and Court, 1977
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day, 1977
May Day, 1977
May Day, 1977
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day, 1977
May Day, 1977
May Day, 1977
Album May Day at Collegiate
Rene Guilford Crowned May Queen, 1975
Rene Guilford Crowned May Queen, 1975
Rene Guilford Crowned May Queen, 1975
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Queen Ruthie Norfleet and Her Court, 1968
May Queen Ruthie Norfleet and Her Court, 1968
May Queen Ruthie Norfleet and Her Court, 1968
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Memo, 1963
May Day Memo, 1963
May Day Memo, 1963
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Queen Ann Hunter Larus and Her Court, 1962
May Queen Ann Hunter Larus and Her Court, 1962
May Queen Ann Hunter Larus and Her Court, 1962
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day, 1960
May Day, 1960
May Day, 1960

The May Court looks on as the younger dance around the Maypole.

Album May Day at Collegiate
"Mrs. Flippen Crowned May Queen", June 1960
"Mrs. Flippen Crowned May Queen", June 1960
"Mrs. Flippen Crowned May Queen", June 1960
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Parasols, 1958
May Day Parasols, 1958
May Day Parasols, 1958
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Maypole, 1958
May Day Maypole, 1958
May Day Maypole, 1958
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Court in The Match, May 25, 1956
May Court in The Match, May 25, 1956
May Court in The Match, May 25, 1956

Town School seniors in full May Day regalia make the top of the fold in the May 25, 1956 edition of The Match.

Album May Day at Collegiate
May Day Program, 1955
May Day Program, 1955
May Day Program, 1955
Album May Day at Collegiate
Reenacting 1917 Groundbreaking, May Day, 1951
Reenacting 1917 Groundbreaking, May Day, 1951
Reenacting 1917 Groundbreaking, May Day, 1951

This clipping of the 1951 May Day reenactment of the 1917 groundbreaking of the Collegiate Town School was taken from a student scrapbook.

Album May Day at Collegiate
May Queen Virginia McGuire and Attendant Ann Sloan, 1938
May Queen Virginia McGuire and Attendant Ann Sloan, 1938
May Queen Virginia McGuire and Attendant Ann Sloan, 1938
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Queen Virginia McGuire and Her Court, 1938
May Queen Virginia McGuire and Her Court, 1938
May Queen Virginia McGuire and Her Court, 1938
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Court, May Day 1938
May Court, May Day 1938
May Court, May Day 1938
Album May Day at Collegiate
May Queen Mary Grace Scheer, 1938
May Queen Mary Grace Scheer, 1938
May Queen Mary Grace Scheer, 1938
Album May Day at Collegiate

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Collegiate School for Girls, May Day, Monument Avenue, Mooreland Road, slider, Town School, Traditions

Halt! It’s the 1928 Torch!

March 23, 2016 by Ben Lamb Leave a Comment

For your viewing pleasure: the two-part title page of the 1928 Torch.

Title Page, 1928 Torch
Title Page, 1928 Torch
Title Page, 1928 Torch

The strikingly ornate title page of the 1928 Torch.

Album 1928 Torch
Illustration, 1928 Torch
Illustration, 1928 Torch
Illustration, 1928 Torch

A fierce looking pirate blocks access to The Torch in this illustration by Collegiate Junior and Torch Art Editor Mary Lottier Christian.

Album 1928 Torch

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 1928, Collegiate School for Girls, Monument Avenue, slider, Torch, Town School

The Town School: Theater in the Thirties

March 3, 2015 by Ben Lamb Leave a Comment

Last weekend’s staging of the 8th grade Centennial Play continued the long tradition of theater at Collegiate.  From the very beginning the dramatic arts have been an important part of the academic and cultural life of the school.  In those early years individual clubs and classes staged plays, dramatic readings, and other performances as part of a diverse schedule of often student-selected educational programming that also included guest speakers and music recitals.

Student plays and performances continued to be an important part of school life as The Collegiate School for Girls entered the 1930s. In addition to performing established plays, students staged their own adaptations of literary works, and original works written by students and faculty.  As In all cases, dramatic arts served as an extension of the classroom.

The following gallery features photographs and ephemera related to Collegiate theater in the 1930s from the Julia Williams Study and Archives Center.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Collegiate School for Girls, Dramatic Arts, Emily F. Brown, Monument Avenue, Senior Play, slider, Theater, Town School

Cake & Stories: Helen Tanner

January 16, 2015 by Allen Chamberlain Leave a Comment

The Collegiate School for Girls opened its doors to seventy-five students in September 1915. In a white-glove, traditional town like Richmond Virginia, the idea of educating young women for college when they couldn’t even vote was remarkable. But the school succeeded. For almost fifty years Collegiate stood in two stately three-story brick buildings at 1617 and 1619 Monument Avenue. In the early sixties the Collegiate School for Girls, following Collegiate Country Day and families to the suburbs, moved to a new campus west of the city and admitted the first class of boys.

When a school celebrates its 100th birthday, it’s time for cake and stories, stories celebrating beloved teachers.

And Helen Tanner is a beloved teacher.

In the summer of 2007 I was lucky enough to spend several happy hours with Helen, interviewing her and reminiscing about her years at Collegiate as a student and as a teacher. I took these recordings to a week-long course at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke, Making It Sing: An Audio Documentary Institute. Although I was the producer, Helen is really the one who made the stories sing. She is a splendid storyteller, and I invite you to enjoy her lively memories and photographs from the Torch.

 

http://www.juliawilliamsarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/allen_cds_project.mp3

 

Helen, in Primary 1, Setting Sail on Her Collegiate Journey

Helen, in Primary 1, Setting Sail on Her Collegiate Journey

Helen and Friends Dressed for Halloween, Torch 1940

Helen and Friends Dressed for Halloween, Torch 1940

Cover of the Torch 1938
Torch 1938
At Easter Time by Helen Tanner

Torch 1940
Dedication, Torch 1940
Miss Hattie Scott, Torch 1940

Torch 1957
Catherine Stauffer Flippen, Headmistress, Torch 1957
Torch 1957

 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 1938, 1940, 1957, Catherine Flippen, Collegiate School for Girls, Hattie Scott, Helen Tanner, slider, Torch, Town School

Then & Now: A Field Trip

January 13, 2015 by Allen Chamberlain Leave a Comment

In the fall of 2014, students and teachers (Allen Chamberlain, Elizabeth Cogar, and Ben Lamb) in the Upper School’s Senior Seminar: The School and the City had the unique opportunity to learn how Collegiate has transformed since 1915. We started our investigation by researching in the Julia Williams Archives and learning about school life on the Monument Avenue campus in downtown Richmond. After looking at yearbooks, fading photographs, and issues of the Chronicle, the school’s first publication, we knew it was time to visit the original site of the Collegiate School for Girls, the precursor of today’s Collegiate School.

We invited a former student of the Town School, Elizabeth Shewmake Johannessen ‘50 to join us. Her stories made the experience of school life on Monument Avenue come alive. Photos in these posts of the Town School as it is now were taken on our field trip and paired with historical photos of the Collegiate campus from the Archives. We’re celebrating the Centennial by looking at how far we’ve come since the establishment of the school and at how the lively spirit of those first students remains.

We started our exploration with map in hand, following the trail from the very first building that welcomed students on West Franklin Street, to Helen Baker’s 1919 home, to the Boarding Department (bet you didn’t know Collegiate used to have boarding students) and then to 1617 Monument Avenue, one of the two buildings that housed the school for almost 50 years.

Come join us and see what we discovered.

First stop 1133 West Franklin Street!

pano_map_sm

 

1133 West Franklin | Helen Baker | Residence Department | Monument Avenue | Pageant

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Helen Baker, Monument Avenue, Pageant, slider, Town School

Copyright © 2022 · Legacy on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in