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Thursday, September 2, 2010
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Mary Hemenway School
Mary Hemenway School
Click image for more information
 The Mary Hemenway School was located at the corner of Adams Street between Rozella and King Streets. The site is now a playground.

Readers' Comments
 I grew up about 1/2 mile form Mary Hemenway School on No. Monroe Terrace. It was a huge old Victorian. My brother Jimmie and I both attended MH Grammar school. I remember the concrete stairs you had to climb from the King St and Adams St entrances. I remember giving a talk to the entire school on flag day in the 5th grade in the schoolyard.

I transferred to parochial school for the 6th grade because the 6th grade teacher at MH had a scary reputation. (My brother had a miserable time that grade with him.) My best memories are of my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Bradley. He was important in my life and made me feel very special. Because of him, I loved learning and went on to eventually getting my Masters degree.

I recall the auditorium as huge and when one had to use the restroom having to ask to go to "the basement" (where the lavatory existed)

I was a stairway monitor and wore a bright strap identifying myself as such. It was a big deal then.

My best friend lived across the street from the school and her name was Rita Kerins (sp?)

Fun memories, thanks for asking.
Alice Holmes Pandolfi
Tampa, FL

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Mary Hemenway was considered Boston's wealthiest woman in the late 19th century. She was married to Augustus Hemenway (b. 1805), a Salem mariner who opened trade with Chile in South America, and ran a fleet of ships between Boston and South America. They had multiple houses, including a large brownstone mansion on Beacon Hill.

After Augustus died, Mary used her family fortune to support many
progressive causes--mostly education and preservation-related. She took a lead role in saving the Old South Meeting House in Boston in 1876. She also gave money to Wellesley College and other school systems, and established one of the first major archaeological expedititions to the U.S. Southwest. The Hemenway name is now known across the U.S. largely because of the kind character and civic leadership displayed by Mary Hemenway.

She was a major figure in the historic preservation movement, and many projects were inspired by her work saving the Old South Meeting House in Boston.

John Goff

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From: Thom Marchillo, March 2009

Comments I was stunned to see this photo. I attended this school from, 1947-1950. Grades 4 thru 6. My teachers were, Miss Macdonald and Mr Icardi. I lived only 2 blocks away and easily would walk to School each day. Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of over 60 years ago.

Related Images: showing 4 of 4 (more results)
Here are some images from the Atheneum archive related to this topic. Click on any of these images to open a slideshow of all 4 images.
Mary Hemenway SchoolMary Hemenway SchoolMary Hemenway SchoolMap Detail Mary Hemenway School
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Created: February 20, 2005   Modified: March 27, 2009