1 box (0.25 cubic ft.)
Open to research
Purchase, Miss H.G. Clark, September 1936
Jewels Graziano, Student Intern, State University of New York at Albany, Manuscripts and Special Collections, April 2026
Biographical Note:
The Albany Female Seminary opened its doors in 1828 after a shareholder association between investors and trustees agreed to fund the $7,000 construction of a local schoolhouse. The building sat along Division Street in Albany, New York and was once part of land owned by the Cuyler family who served on the shareholder committee. Among the inaugural trustees was Reverend William Lacey, who would serve as the chair of the board until his resignation in 1833.
Female seminaries were private educational institutions designed to provide women with equal academic opportunities and as a result, played a significant role in the overall movement for gender equality in the United States. The Albany Female Seminary was no different, as evidenced by its choice to teach subjects beyond domesticity and homemaking, as well as appoint three women principals during its lifespan. Several female seminaries were already established within the Capital Region at the time, such as the Emma Willard School and the Albany Female Academy, which served as models for the Albany Female Seminary. Eventually, during the 1830s, male students were permitted to attend the school as well.
The school ceased all operations in 1867 due to changes in local funding arrangements which affected several other all-female seminaries in the surrounding area, leading to a multitude of school closures.
Scope and Content Note:
The documents in this collection, spanning the years 1828 to 1861, include administrative records pertaining to the school’s foundation and regular academic operations. Some notable documents found inside of it are the deed to the property on Division Street (1828), the Articles of Association between the shareholders and trustees (1828), reports to the State Board of Regents (1843-1848), trustees minute books (1828-1849) and a registry of students (1829-1861).
Box and Folder List:
| Box | Folder | Description |
| 1 | 1 | Reports to the State Board of Regents, 1843-1848 (5 items):
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| 1 | 2 | Administrative Documents (5 items):
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| 1 | 3 | Stock book, n.d. Includes shares worth $50 each, both signed and blank. (labeled as v. 4). |
| 1 | 4 | Class book, 1846-1847. Includes class rosters, attendance records and grades. (labeled as v. 5). |
| 1 | 5 | Board of trustees minutes book, 1827-1849. Details comprise of trustee elections and departures, principal and teacher appointments, and debts. (labeled as v.1). |
| 1 | 6 | Student rosters, 1829-30, 1849-50, 1855-56, 1858-61. Includes names, ages, studies, addresses, and parentage. (labeled as v. 2). |
| 1 | 7 | Student rosters, 1831- 1848. Includes names, grades, ages, absences, tuition rates, addresses and parentage. (labeled as v. 3). |