Lucy Wheelock

Who was Lucy Wheelock?

Lucy Wheelock was an educator and founder of Wheelock College, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

She was born in Cambridge, Vermont, the daughter of Edwin Wheelock and Laura Pierce. Her father was a Congregational minister and superintendent of schools, and also served in the Vermont state legislature. After early education in local schools and at home, Lucy attended Underhill Academy, then went to high school in Reading, Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1874.

After a brief stint teaching back home in Vermont, Lucy Wheelock went to the Chauncy Hall School, Boston, to prepare for entrance to Wellesley College. After visiting a kindergarten class, however, she decided that was her vocation. On the advice of Elizabeth Peabody, she attended the Kindergarten Training School in Boston. She graduated in 1879 and returned to Chauncy Hall to teach kindergarten.

In 1888 the Boston public schools added kindergartens, and Miss Wheelock began a one-year training program for teachers at Chauncy Hall. The school was a success, and she expanded it to two years, then turned it into an independent school. Later the school added training for primary and nursery school teachers.