Linden Hall School for Girls: A Legacy of Notable Alumnae
Linden Hall School for Girls, located in Lititz, Pennsylvania, stands as the oldest private boarding and day school for girls in the United States. Tracing its roots back to November 1746, when a Moravian congregation established a "Gemeinhaus" in Lititz, the school has a rich history of educating young women and empowering them to excel. This article explores the school's history and highlights some of its notable alumnae.
Historical Overview
The Moravian congregation's original building, the Gemeinhaus, served as a combined chapel, schoolhouse, and parsonage. Initially, the school educated both boys and girls, with reported enrollment figures of "70 to 77 children" as of 1758. To separate the activities and education of unmarried men and women, the Moravian congregation built Brethren's and Sisters' Houses between 1758 and 1761.
In May 1769, the cornerstone was laid for a new building dedicated to the girls' school to accommodate a growing student body. This building, now known as Stengel Hall, still stands today. The school's name was changed from Lititz Seminary to Linden Hall in 1883. In 1935, Linden Hall expanded its offerings by adding a junior college, Linden Hall Junior College, which included a secretarial program.
The Enduring Moravian Educational Philosophy
Education has always been a cornerstone of Moravian life. The school’s founding was based on a progressive philosophy encompassing three fundamental principles: that all young women be well educated (as thoroughly as men!) to become whole, responsible citizens; that pupils must develop a love of knowledge to reach their full potential; and that advanced students should serve as role models for younger students. Linden Hall continues to pride itself on the original tenets of the Moravian educational philosophy of caring for the whole girl - intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually.
Curriculum and Extracurricular Activities
Linden Hall's curriculum is aimed at college preparation. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities, including an equestrian program and team sports such as soccer, tennis, volleyball, riding, cross country, golf, basketball, archery, and dance. Linden Hall students benefit from an academically rigorous STEM program, robust arts offerings, globally focused humanities classes, and electives in everything from economics, to anatomy, to philosophy. In 2014, Linden Hall introduced a groundbreaking aviation program, offering young women the chance to literally soar to new heights.
Read also: Explore Haas Hall Academy
Notable Alumnae
Linden Hall has produced many accomplished alumnae who have made significant contributions in various fields.
One notable alumna is Jean. She arrived at Linden Hall in 1956 as a freshman, traveling from Argentina where her father worked for RCA Victor. After graduating, Jean attended Endicott College, majoring in marketing and communications. She went on to intern at NBC and built a successful career in New York City’s media world. Jean’s life took her from New York to Chicago and ultimately Indianapolis, where Jerry served as Dean and later Chancellor at IUPUI. Jean became an influential leader and fundraiser, particularly for women’s studies and the arts, establishing multiple scholarships and endowment funds. She also played key roles with the Indiana Literacy Foundation, Indianapolis Arts Council, and St. Among her many honors, Jean has received the IU School of Nursing honorary alumni award, the Maynard K. Hine Medallion, and was named one of Indianapolis’ Most Influential Women.
Alumnae Reflections
The impact of Linden Hall on its students is evident in the reflections shared by alumnae:
- Dr.: “I will always recognize that LH taught me to be a student, how to relate to teachers as friends, and enabled me to achieve success in college, as well as enter a professional class of 75 men as one of only 10 women and succeed. Not to mention come out with a husband who I have had for 49 years. It was the best thing that ever happened to me."
- Mrs.: “My experience at Linden Hall was very important to me as it was the first time away from home and I meet a lot of girls that I kept in touch with for a long time. I was allowed to bring my own horse with me too, which was a plus and had a roommate whose family volunteered to board him over the summers."
- Ms.: “Linden Hall environment gave me the courage to pursue my passion in and outside of school."
- Ms.: “Without coming to LH, chances are I would still the shy girl in the back of the classroom who never raised her hand."
- Mrs.: “Linden Hall was, by far, more beneficial to me than college."
The Linden Hall Experience Today
Today, students of all faiths and creeds come to Linden Hall for an enriching college preparatory education from homes as far-flung as Wisconsin, New York, Nevada, Massachusetts, Dominica, Vietnam, Germany, Rwanda, Korea, and from where it all began, right here in Lancaster County, PA. The school, situated on 49 acres, now operates independently of the Church. The Linden Hall experience is formulated for girls in grades 6-12 to build leadership skills, foster critical and independent thinking, encourage a love for learning, and, most of all, empower girls to excel.
Read also: Explore the history of Alumni Hall in Boone
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