Preview
Description
A tintype shows a group of six Westbrook Seminary female students whose style of dress dates from the mid-nineteenth century. The young woman on the left poses with her embroidery suggesting the "ornamental" subjects often taught to girls. The two young women on the right hold papers and a book suggesting the "useful" subjects taught such as reading and writing, grammar, arithmetic, and geography
In 1863 Westbrook Seminary was empowered by an act of the state legislature “to prescribe a course of study for young ladies, equivalent to that of any female college in New England, and to confer the collegiate honors and degrees usually granted by female colleges.” For a time the Seminary awarded two special degrees, the L.L.L., or Lady of Liberal Learning, and the L.E.L., Lady of English Learning. These degrees soon became the laureate of arts and the laureate of science. From 1863 through 1890, 115 ladies received the L.A., and 72 the L.S.
Media
Tintype
Size of Original
4 1/4 inches x 3 1/4 inches
Notes
See Maine Memory Network: Westbrook Seminary: Educating Women at https://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/779/page/1188/display?use_mmn=1
Preferred Citation
"Westbrook Seminary Students, Tintype, ca. 1855" (ca. 1855). University of New England, Westbrook College History Collection. https://dune.une.edu/wchc_photos_students1850s/1
Access Rights
Fair use: You do not need permission to use this material for personal research, in-class teaching purposes, school projects and assignments, blog posts or other non-commercial purposes. Proper citation is required.
Commercial use: Please contact WCHC for use of images in publications.
Date
ca. 1855