1880 – A letter from a young woman attending Mills Seminary, shortly before it was chartered as Mills College, the first woman’s college west of the Rockies
Oakland, California: 1880. Unbound. This eight-page letter was written by Elva C. King at Mills Seminary for Young Women in Oakland, California on May 18th, 1880 to an old school friend with whom she had not corresponed in years. In nice shape.
It reads in part:
“I supposed you had forgotten me years ago. . .. I can not help wondering if you have changed other than being a dignified young lady instead of a frolicsome girl. . .. I expect you have finished school . . . but I am still studying. Two years ago last January I came to Mills, partly because I needed a change of climate and this agrees with me so much better than that of Napa Co., and partly because I was anxious to take the regular seminary course and graduate. I have been getting along very well . . . and in a little over two months [will] enter the senior class & will probably finish in a year from this month. I took instrumental music for a short time, but concluded I was only wasting my time. . .. I am now however taking singing lessons and [have received] some encouragement, though I have not a strong voice. Our commencement exercises take place next Thursday [with] but fifteen graduates, a much smaller class than usual. They are very busy . . . preparing their essays, and the rest of us are kept occupied with final examinations. I have not been to St. Helena for five months so you can imagine I am longing to get home. . ..
“I am glad you have all been well since you left California & hope God may continue that blessing. . .. I think you would be surprised were you to return to St. Helena to find how few changes have taken place. . .. A few dwellings have been put up recently but those are on the Calistoga road. . .. Grandpa continues to improve his place. . .. He planted out more grape cuttings, so you can imagine some manufacturies are still in a flourishing condition. . .. I came near forgetting to tell you of the new route to St. Helena from San Francisco. The boat has been dispensed with and we now go up by rail through Berkely and along the Bay. . ..
“I suppose you remember Alice McPike. . .. She was here at school for a short time, but left to go East and has not continued any of her study since her return. . ..
“Mamie, I beg you will not severely criticize this letter for you know a school girl’s time is not her own [and] I have to write hurriedly. . ..”
. Very good. Item #010660Mills Seminary was founded in 1852 as the Young Ladies Seminary of Bernicia by a group of citizens and led by Mary Atkins, to educate the daughters of California's early miners and merchants. It was purchased by missionaries in 1865 and renamed Mills Seminary. By 1871, the student population could no longer be accommodated, so the school relocated to larger facilities in Oakland. It was formally recharted as Mills College in 1885, less than five years after Elva wrote this letter. Although today it is a coeducational component of Northeastern University, it is still committed to preparing women to become leaders after graduation..
Price: $150.00