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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCrandallThe Prudence Crandall Museum The site of New England's first academy for black girls established by Prudence Crandall. 1833-1834. A National Historic Landmark. From - Linda VanNederynen on August 4th 1993 Zd crtd d O t11,)q cmodal ( lltl*? Routes 14 and 169 Canterbury. Connecticut Through permanent and changing exhibits a variety of themes are explored at the museum, including Prudence Crandall, black and women's history and local history. "Prudence Crandall Day." held annually the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, offers children's games, crafts dem- onstrations and sales, entertainment and refreshments. The museum also includes three period -rooms, a small research library for In-house study (by appointment only) and a gift shop. Hnwklyn 6 miles V E N 14 oWillimantic PrudenceO = Crandall Houee ' 88 :[ ':a7F,T71L'37 Museum Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Closed December 15th to January 15th. Admission charged; for information on group rates, exhibit schedules, and special events. call: (203) 546-9916 The Connecticut Historical Commission 59 South Prospect St. Hartford, Connecticut 06106 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency DesW by Maria Hatbdkelas UnWerdty of Connectkut Design Center The Prudence Crandall Museum The site of New England's first academy for black girls established by Prudence Crandall, 1833-1834. A National Historic Landmark. Routes 14 and 169 Canterbury, Connecticut In the summer of 1831, Prudence Crandall (born in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, 1803) was asked by a group of Canterbury citizens if she would consent to es- tablishing a private academy to instruct local girls and boys. With the purchase of the Luther Paine house (built circa 1805) located on the Canterbury Green. Crandall was able to open the academy in January of 1832, having the complete support and encouragement of the community. Areas of study included reading. writing. arithmetic, English grammer, geography, history, moral philosophy, chemistry and astronomy. Tuition was $25.00 per quarter. Public sentiment shifted dramatically, however, when Sarah Harris, a twenty-year old black woman, was admitted to the school in the fall of 1832. Crandall lost much support from the community. and was forced to dismiss those students not already withdrawn by their parents. On April 1, 1833, after conferring with William Lloyd Garrison and other staunch Abolitionists. Crandall reopened the school for the purpose of Instructing "young ladies and little misses of color.' thus establishing the Ilrst academy for black girls in New England. In response, on May 24. 1833, the General Assembly in Hartford passed the infamous "Black Law" which made it illegal to establish any school or academy for the instruction of "colored persons who are not inhabitants of this State". Ube law was repealed in 1838.) In breaking this law, Crandall was arrested, imprisoned ovemighl in the Brooklyn, Connecticut Jail, and endured three court trials. Due to a legal technicality the case was eventually dismissed in July of 1834. Opinions were not confined to the court - cover photo by: Leighton Haeseler P97DDIIOD ODADDLI�iG� ,EcaoeacEr o �acaae E.. nma. - IQE�a, wwMFy NYM1..M w W �.� EITIR } TFR.N EhY Err rt1fa .`l4E VE, w. r.iueoci 'ier° aEEEE em. i.: im�ca cn�inFt ' Nr Mr NFYpEF, Rl.Ef5 fO11iLV. (M1�uuuFu• EYIW[fN <1]ECI. room, however. and the academy's inhabitants were harassed unmercifully throughout this period of turmoil. The students wereJeered at and the building was pelted with stones, eggs, and mud. In January, 1834, an unsuccessful attempt was made to set the building on fire. In spite of this, the academy remained open until the night of Septem- ber 9, 1834. That evening a mob of local residents attacked the academy, breaking some ninety window panes. Fearing for the physical safety of the students, Prudence regretfully decided to close the school. She and her husband. Rev. Calvin Philleo (they were married August 12, 1834) left Canterbury soon afterwards and traveled to Massachusetts. Rhode Island. New York. and later to Illinois, where Calvin died in 1874. In 1877. Prudence and her brother Hezektah bought property in Elk Falls, Kansas, where they spent their remaining years. Prudence Crandall Philleo taught through- out her long life. never failing In her efforts to bring knowl- edge to all who had the desire to learn. In 1886. an annuity was initiated in Can- terbury on Crandall's behalf, receiving support from such notable Connecticut residents as Mark Twain. In April of that same year, the Connecticut legislature granted Pru- dence $400 per year, a sum she received until her death in 1890. at the age of 87. In reviewing the events which took place at the Crandall Academy, it must be remembered that this was not a singular incident, but rather a local reaction caused by feelings of racism which pervaded American society during this period of our nation's history. Such occurrences were reported nationwide, and were not restricted either to the town of Canterbury or the State of Connecticut.