Science Hill Female Academy Records, 1825-1975
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Science Hill Female Academy
Title: Records, 1825-1975
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 15 cubic feet
Location Number: Mss. BI S416
Scope and Content Note
Collection includes records, correspondence, photographs, newspaper articles, school catalogs, and miscellaneous papers regarding the Science Hill Female Academy, established in 1825 by Julia Ann Tevis in Shelbyville, Ky. She and her husband, Reverend John Tevis, ran the school until his death in 1860. In 1879, Julia Tevis sold the school to Dr. Wiley Taul Poynter and Dr. T. W. Jordan. In 1880, Dr. Jordan sold his interest in the school to Dr. Poynter. The Poynter family ran the school until it closed in 1939.
The collection is arranged by subject and begins with correspondence, catalogs, and records from the Tevis years. Most of the records from the Tevis years were either lost or destroyed. The bulk of the collection is composed of papers regarding the Poynter administration. The Poynter section deals with the purchase of the school, the school under Mrs. Poynter, her death, and the final principal, Juliet Poynter. Included are letters from potential students, letters of congratulation during the centennial celebration, and letters of sympathy at the death of Mrs. Poynter; student and class records; transcripts; list of textbooks; a list of alumni association members; list of students who attended college; faculty and employee records showing names, salary, and positions held by each employee of the school from 1879 to 1939; and financial records, including receipts and letters dealing with the finances of the school. The collection also includes school catalogs, 1879-1939 giving a list of courses, fees, instructors and students; miscellaneous papers, such as student compositions, speeches, student publications, and sheet music; commencement and recital programs, photographs, which include pictures of Julia and John Tevis, views of the school, students, and Dr. and Mrs. Poynter; newspaper articles about the Tevis family, the Poynters, students, teachers, and announcements of openings and special events. Also included are bound volumes consisting of a register, 1856-1874, registers from 1879 to 1939, three annual registers, 1880-1881, a roll book, 1921-1939, two volumes of academic records, 1879-1939, a personal account book of Julia Tevis, 1825-1827, ledgers and journals, 1879-1939, a dissertation written by Lulu Sutherland Hahn about Science Hill, a history of Science Hill by Harriet Poynter, and a history of Shelby County, Ky.
Folder List
Box 1
1 Correspondence and school ephemera, 1837-1884, and a copy of a poem about Tevis published in the Courier-Journal, March 1881.
2 List of and letters about students from the Tevis years, 1882-1965, and hand-written history of the school, undated.
3 Catalogs from the Tevis years, 1852-1859.
4 Catalogs from the Tevis years, 1860-1867.
5 Catalogs from the Tevis years, 1869-1875.
6 Program from recitals and commencements, 1859-1872.
Box 2
7 Personal and school correspondence of the Poynters re: students, new students, potential students, 1899, 1913, 1925-1962.
8 Poynter law and legal papers, 1858; 1879-1908.
9 Personal correspondence of Juliet Poynter and Harriet Poynter, 1914-1965.
10 Letters and telegrams to Harriet and Juliet at the death of Clara Martin Poynter, 1937 Mar.-Apr.
11 Letters from Science Hill graduates, 1926-1937.
12 Poynter correspondence concerning retirement, 1939.
13 Poynter correspondence concerning retirement, 1939.
14 Letters requesting admission and admission forms and contracts, 1928-1938.
Box 3
15 Student records, primary department student evaluation forms, 1937-1938, French department information, 1935-1936, undated.
16 Miscellaneous school records; letters of recommendation, grades, and transfer of credits for students, 1925-1939.
17 Miscellaneous school records; letters of recommendation, grades, and transfer of credits for students, 1933-1939.
18 List of students who attended college after graduation from Science Hill, 1884-1934.
19 Records from the Alumnae Association minutes and members, 1882-1889.
20 Miscellaneous records from the Poynter years; list of text books c. 1930s, certificate of accreditation, 1937-1938; records report on Tevis years produced in the 1930s-1940s.
Box 4
21 Faculty records; pay, qualifications, etc., 1936-1938.
22 Faculty records; pay, qualifications, etc., 1937-1939.
23 Faculty records; pay, qualifications, etc., 1892-1939.
24 Employee and servant records, pay, taxes, etc., 1935-1939.
25 Employee and servant records, pay, taxes, etc., 1937-1939.
26 Employee and servant records, pay, taxes, etc., 1938-1939.
Box 5
27 Employee and servant records, pay, taxes, etc., 1930s
28 Employee and servant records, pay, taxes, etc., 1936-1937.
29 Financial records; letters and receipts from the Poynter era, 1883-1919.
30 Financial records; letters and receipts from the Poynter era, 1879-1939.
31 Financial records; account slips, 1879-1939.
32 Financial records; account slips, 1879-1939.
Box 6
33 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1879-1890.
34 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1890-1899.
35 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1900-1905.
36 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1906-1910.
Box 7
37 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1911-1915.
38 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1916-1920.
39 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1921-1926.
40 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1927-1930.
Box 8
41 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1930-1935.
42 Catalogs from the Poynter years, 1935-1939.
Box 9
43 Miscellaneous papers, 1851-1961. Included are student compositions, 1852-1855; transcripts of new accounts, 1845-1860; visitor log book, undated; advertising schedules and proofs, 1933-1934; correspondence 1927, 1965
44 Miscellaneous published papers, speeches, sermons, 1855, 1865.
45 Tributes to Mrs. Poynter in various publications, 1937.
46 Telegrams of congratulations for Founders Day, 1939.
Box 10
47 Sheet music and books, 18th and 19th century.
48 19th century sheet music.
49 School publications and mementoes, 1936-1939.
Box 11
50 Commencement programs, 1874-1939.
51 Programs for pupil recitals, 1868-1937.
52 Founders Day programs, 1898-1937.
53 Programs for faculty recitals, 1923-1937.
54 Letters of congratulations during the Centennial celebration, 1925.
55 Letters of congratulations during the Centennial celebration, 1925.
56 Telegrams of congratulations during the Centennial celebration, 1925.
Box 12
57 Photographs of the Tevis years, circa 1860s-circa 1890s.
58 Photographs, views of the school, 1935.
59 Photographs, views of the school, 1938, 1961, undated.
60 “Meadow Lark” photographic story presentation, 1932.
61 Photographs of students and faculty, 1874-1917.
Box 13
62 Newspaper articles; Centennial and Diamond celebrations, and announcement
of opening each year, 1897-1927.
63 Newspaper articles; notice of reunions, anniversaries, and clippings about some
of the students and teachers, 1899-1972.
64 Newspaper articles; notice of the death of Clara Martin Poynter, the retirement
of the Poynters, and tributes to Dr. and Mrs. Poynter, 1894-1961.
Wrapped Volumes
65 Personal book of Julia Tevis, 1838-1840, includes student compositions from the 1840s.
66 Personal book of Julia Tevis, 1860-1879, includes bound compositions by her students, ca. 1848-1860.
67 Account book of Julia Tevis, 1825-1827, includes list of students from 2nd – 6th and possible 1st session.
68 Notebook of Sarah C. McGrath, 1834 May, contains pressed flowers.
69 Personal album of Ellen Riley, 1854, contains news clippings and recipes.
70 Personal album of Kate M. Shaw, 1854 March, contains descriptions of fellow students.
71 Personal album of Emma E. Fontain, 1855.
72 Personal album of Hester A. Sidebottom, 1855.
73 Personal album of Annie Maurice Smith, 1856. Contains a list of the senior
class, description of students, and tuition costs.
74 Personal album of Pattie Poston, the first wife of W. T. Poynter.
75 Autograph book of Cornelia S. Hall, 1880-1883.
76 Pupils of Science Hill, 1879-1900.
77 Pupils of Science Hill, 1900-1939.
78 Day book, 1870-1872, register of pupils 1871.
79 Day book, 1879 July-1881 June.
80 Day book, 1886 July-1889 Oct.
81 Day book, 1889 Nov.-1893 Sept.
82 Day book, 1883, 1893, 1920-1921, lists of students, 1920, undated.
83 Journal, 1879 July-1882 Sept.
84 Journal, 1890-1895.
85 Journal, 1925-1936.
86 Ledger “A”, 1879-1883.
87 Journal “B”, 1883-1886.
88 Daybook “C”, 1883-1886.
89 Journal “C”, 1886-1889.
90 Ledger, 1893-1896.
91 Ledger, 1895-1896.
92 Ledger, 1900-1901.
93 Ledger, 1901-1902.
94 Ledger, 1902-1903.
95 Ledger, 1903-1904.
96 Ledger, 1899-1907.
97 Ledger, 1904-1905.
98 Ledger, 1905-1906; list of music students, undated.
99 Ledger, 1906-1907.
100 Ledger, 1907-1908.
101 Ledger, 1908-1909.
102 Ledger, 1910.
103 Ledger, 1909-1914.
104 Ledger, 1914-1919; list of music students, undated.
105 Ledger, 1919.
106 Ledger, 1921.
107 Ledger, 1921-1929; list of students 1923; list of applicants 1925-1929.
108 Ledger, 1929-1933.
109 Ledger, 1931-1932.
110 Ledger, 1934-1939.
111 Ledger, 1938-1947.
112 List of students, 1840, 1856-1874.
113 Record book, 1921-1930.
114 Record book, 1931-1939.
115 Annual register, 1880-1906.
116 Annual register, 1907-1937.
117 Annual register, 1938-1939.
118 Attendance/grade book, 1880-1882, list of textbooks, undated.
119 Attendance book, 1884-1921; list of faculty and subjects taught, 1887-1909.
120 Grade book, 1888-1930.
121 Attendance book, 1921-1939, faculty list and subjects taught 1921-1939.
121a-134 Class record books, 1884-1894.
135-146 Class record books, 1894-1918.
147-159 Class record books, 1920-1922.
160-174 Class record books, 1922-1925.
175-182 Class record books, 1925-1927.
183-189 Class record books, 1927-1928.
190-195 Class record books, 1928-1929.
196-207 Class record books, 1929-1938.
208-214 Class record books, 1933-1936.
215-220 Class record books, 1938-1939.
221-231 Class record books, n.d.
232-237 Class record books, n.d.
238 Grade cards, 1912-1918.
239 Grade cards, 1913-1918.
240 Grade cards, 1915-1921.
241 Grade cards, 1921-1923.
242 Grade cards, 1924-1927.
243 Grade cards, 1928-1939.
244 List of textbooks used, 1935-1938.
245-246 Bank account books, 1896-1905.
257-268 Bank account books, 1906-1919.
269-278 Bank account books, 1919-1923.
279-290 Bank account books, 1924-1928.
291-299 Bank account books, 1930-1932.
300-307 Bank account books, 1934-1942.
308 Alumnae Association address book, 1881-1939.
309 Alumnae Association minute book, 1887-1939.
310 Alumnae Association minute book, 1923.
311 Minutes of Lyceum, a society for musical and literary advancement, 1883-1885.
312 Report of Executive Committee of the National Association of Deans of Women, 1926.
313 Minutes of the Dramatic Society of Science Hill School, 1924-1927.
314 Faculty record book, 1890-1891.
315 Faculty meeting record, 1892-1914, 1923-1924, 1932-1938.
316 Record of demerits, 1924-1928.
317 Music Dept. record book.
318 Music book of Ellen Riley, c. 1850s.
319 Music book of Sarah L. Adams.
320 Sheet music.
321 A History of Science Hill Female Academy, dissertation by Lula Sutherland Hahn, 1944.
322 History of Shelby County, 1974.
323 History of Science Hill written by Harriet Poynter, 1979.
324 List of students from Science Hill, 1903-1969.
325 List of students from 1931, instructors 1931-1937?
