Catalog of Manuscript Collections

Creator: New Haven schools and students Extent: 950 items, including 60 vols. Description: Before public education was introduced in New Haven, private schools and schools for the general public run by private citizens were widespread. The Lancasterian School, founded by John Epy Lovell (1795-1892), instituted an innovative policy whereby students taught other students. In 1822 Lovell came to New Haven and started his school in the basement of the First Methodist Church and later moved to Orange Street. Lovell retired in 1857. During this time New Haven was also home to many boys and girls boarding schools, sometimes run by individuals out of their homes. By the turn of the century, public interest in education led to the formation of several school associations, such as the Lancasterian School Association and the Women's School Association. All of the above are represented in the collection. There is also material pertaining to the establishment of the first Public High School. The records are divided into papers and exercise books belonging to students; documents of specific schools, both public and private in New Haven and vicinity; and documents belonging to teachers. Research Topics: New Haven schools; developments in education from the 18th to 20th centuries; school curricula; New Haven Public Schools standardized examinations; Lancasterian School methods; girls boarding schools in New Haven