CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Wilson College helped change the landscape of women’s education, not just in Franklin County, but across the nation. This is part one of a two-part series looking back at the history of Wilson College and the impact it has had on the world.
Groundbreaking vision
Wilson College exists today because of two men from two different states. the Rev. James W. Wightman (1825–1893), a Presbyterian minister from Greencastle took the vision of his Hagerstown colleague, the Rev. Tryon Edwards (1809-1894) and helped change the course of women’s college academics in the United States.
In 1867, Edwards presented his idea to Wightman of creating a female seminary to help teach women domestic skills. Wightman was not sold on the idea of a seminary and had a bigger vision— a four-year college to offer women the same education as men’s colleges.
With a strong vision formed, the two men knew the next step was to find land and money to bring their idea to reality. In 1868, a newly formed board of trustees took over these responsibilities and after a strong financial backing of $23,000 from the city of Chambersburg decided that the location would be on the 52-acre grounds of the McClure estate.
The largest investment made into the new college came from a St. Thomas woman named Sarah Wilson (1795-1871), who would become the college’s namesake. Wilson, who had received a generous inheritance from her family, donated $30,000 to the building of the college in 1868.
Doors open to the future
In 1869, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted a charter to the college trustees, and the school opened with 75 students and eight faculty members on Oct. 12, 1870. The concept of a liberal arts college for women had become a reality for the Franklin County region. The college would offer courses in arithmetic, English, reading, penmanship, geography, grammar and orthography during its first year.
In 1873, the first five women graduated from the college, and the first academic degree was awarded in 1874 under the leadership of the first acting president of the college, the Rev. James F. Kennedy (1824-1901).
First lady principal
Abby Goodsell was the first lady principal and acting dean of students for the college in 1879. She left a lasting impact on the school with her creation of the Alumnae Association. The purpose of the association was to maintain a continued sisterhood for the students after graduating. Goodsell also worked tirelessly to help raise money for renovation projects on campus.
The alumni association she created still exists on the campus to this day and had also helped set the foundation for similar groups in institutions across the country. Through her efforts Wilson College solidified an identity born from tradition that still thrives today through both past and present students.
Building a future
Wilson College grew throughout the years. In 1877, a new gymnasium was designed to add athletics to the curriculum. It took until 1900 for the building of the gym to get completed and the new sports program to become a reality. In 1885, a Main Hall was added, and with the growth of the campus, a rise in attendance followed. By the late 1880’s, over 150 students were enrolled at Wilson College, and two new dormitories were leased to accommodate the rising student population.
New century brings change
Wilson College continued to grow into the 1900s. A new Science Hall was built on the campus in 1898, followed by a Music Hall in 1903. The new gym was opened in 1900, and preparatory classes were dropped by the Board of Trustees in 1906. The school saw enrollment rise every year, and in 1915 a major renovation project took place bringing an English gothic style to the campus.
These changes were just the beginning for Wilson College. Soon the United States would become involved in two world wars that would change the landscape of the country and impact every part of American life.
This is part one of a two-part series looking back on the history of Wilson College. The second part will look back at the impacts of war and the changes that have made Wilson College the institution it is today.
