Miss Dana's School for Young Ladies

Miss Dana's School for Young Ladies was a private boarding and finishing school originally founded in 1860 as the Morris Female Institute, in Morristown, New Jersey at 163 South Street, near Madison Avenue.^[1][2][3] In 1877 it was leased and renamed by Miss E. Elizabeth Dana. The school closed in 1912 following the passing of Miss Dana.^[1][2]

Miss Dana's School for Young Ladies, 1907.

Miss Dana's most notable student was Dorothy Rothschild, later becoming known as Dorothy Parker, a popular American writer and poet as well as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table.^[2]

As with most finishing schools, the rules were strict. There was no smoking, no eating between meals, no candy, no evening dresses and no low-neck dresses. Jewelry was to be kept at a minimum, outings required chaperons and of course, bills had to be paid on time. There were no exceptions.^[1][2]

Miss Dana's curriculum was classical and collegiate. There was the usual Bible, reading, writing, history and math, but also geometry, chemistry, astronomy, Latin and even a form of philosophy, which was considered very progressive for that time.^[1][2][3]

Miss Dana ensured that her students were not only exposed to current social and political topics, but discussions on these topics were held weekly. Her philosophy was "intellectual and moral".^[1][2][3]

Because of the well-rounded education Miss Dana provided, her students were automatically accepted to Vassar College, with entrance requirements being waived.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Rae, John W. (2002). Morristown: A Military Headquarters of the American Revolution. Making of America series. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 76, 77. ISBN 9780738524009. http://books.google.com/books?id=3c95MVj5440C&lpg=PA77&ots=LV2tkzOEF5&dq=%22miss%20dana's%22%20school%20morristown&pg=PA76#v=onepage&q=%22miss%20dana's%22%20school%20morristown&f=false. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "History of Miss Dana's School". The Morristown and Morris Township Library. http://www.jfpl.org/HCFindingAids/MissDanas.xml. Retrieved 11 April 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Williams, Joan M. (1996). Morristown: Images of America. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 95–97. ISBN 9780738550244. http://books.google.com/books?id=VAflHbobvj4C&lpg=PA95&ots=khKX6blgz2&dq=%22miss%20dana's%22%20school%20morristown&pg=PA95#v=onepage&q=%22miss%20dana's%22%20school%20morristown&f=false.