Windows to History

windows to historyTHE MEMORIAL STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN FROTHINGHAM HALL

By Lillian Wentworth & Larry Carlsonthayer academy, bra intree , massachusetts

The panes of stained glass have been given by the Academy, by organizations and by individuals. There is still room for additional panes if desired.

Dedication remarks are given if available, along with quotations from past volumes of the Thayer Academy Black and Orange.

We will appreciate any corrections of errors or additional information as to donors, designers and interpretation of symbols.

Louis A. Frothingham - scholar, soldier, politician, graduate of Harvard and Harvard Law School, and a trustee of Thayer Academy, 1916-1928.

He was a Lieutenant in the Marines in the Spanish American War, and was an Army Major in World War I.

He served as Speaker of the Massachusetts House and was later a United States Congressman.

message to readers

lillian wentworth larry carlson

t The stained glass window on Frothingham Hall’s West Door. Given by the Parents’ Club. Designed by Louise Pennock.

uThe stained glass window on Frothingham Hall’s East Door. Given by the Parents’ Club. Designed by Louise Pennock.

front and back cover windows

WINDOWS TO HISTORYTHE MEMORIAL STAINED GLASS

WINDOWS IN FROTHINGHAM HALL

Thayer Academy, braintree, massachusetts

By

Lillian Wentworth &

Larry Carlson

Window Photos by Lily Carlson, 2005

Book Design & layout by Paul W. Kahn

Frothingham Hall, 2008

table of contents

dedication 1

east windows 2 - 63 east window 1 2 - 11

east window 2 12 - 25




west windows 64 - 119 west window 1 64 - 69

west window 2 70 - 79




stairway windows 120 - 121

frothingham hall yesterday 122 - 123

frothingham hall today 124 - 125

Dedicated to the Memory ofLOUISE WETHERBEE PENNOCK

1

EAST WINDOW 1

The first window nearest to where the stage used to be on the East side of

Frothingham honors Louise Emerson, the Philergian Society, Harriet Gemmel

and the Latin language.

2

frothingham halL east window 1

3

harriet gemmel

Harriet Gemmel came to Thayer in 1923

to head the English department until

1955. In 1924 she began the drama

program producing a play each year with

the Junior Middle Class. The 1928 Black

and Orange said, “She understands our

faults and trusts our strengths.”

The window depicts the stage of Shakespeare’s theater, the

masks of Greek drama and the open Book of Learning.

Gemmel’s first play Green Stockings, 1924. The stage is now

the Seminar Room. The rest of Main Building’s third floor

completed Thayer’s first auditorium.

east window 1 - top left

4

Given by Herbert and Louise Saul “In loving tribute to Harriet Gemmel.” Louise succeeded her as English Department head. Designed by Louise Pennock.


5

louise kingman emerson

Louise Emerson was a Thayer 1908

graduate, and mathematics teacher at

Thayer for 37 years (1923-60). A lover of

music as shown by her annual bell ringing

at Christmas chapel and her donations to

the Metropolitan Guild. “She envisioned

youth grandly and importantly as a teacher

and a friend.”

The window depicts the Smith College tower, the Thayer Lamp of

Learning, and musical bells.

Miss Emerson

playing the bells

at Thayer Academy’s

annual Christmas

chapel service.

east window 1 - top right

6

Given by Myrtle Sparks Rose ‘33 and Edward Douglas Rose ‘57. She taught both mother and son. Designed by Louise Pennock.


7

latin

Latin Club members, clad in togas, at their yearly banquet.

east window 1 - bottom left

8

Given by the Latin classes of 1959-60 Designed by Donna Perrow Brown ‘60.


9

philergians

east window 1 - bottom right

10

Given by the Philergian Society. Designed by Harriet Faunce Egan ’60.


11

EAST WINDOW 2

The second window nearest to where the stage used to be on the East side

honors William Holbrook, Asa & Asa Palmer French, William & Blanche B. Cleaves,

Barbara Cleaves Phelps, History, and Dr. Harold Ripley

12

A. WILLIAM HOLBROOK

B. ASA AND ASA PALMER FRENCH

C. WILLIAM AND BLANCHE B. CLEAvES

D. BARBARA CLEAvES PHELPS

E. HISTORY

F. DR. HAROLD RIPLEY

frothingham hall east window 2


13

william holbrookIn honor of William Holbrook. Thayer

Academy trustee (1933-38), banker,

attorney, Weymouth town counselor and

moderator, a drafter of the Thayerlands

charter. At Last Chapel ceremonies at the

end of each school year, history, citizenship

and academic achievement prizes bear his

name.

Jane Holbrook Jewell ‘37 presents a portrait of headmaster Peter Benelli to Mr. Benelli in 1982.


14

Donated and designed by Jane Holbrook Jewell ‘37.


15

asa & asa palmer french

LEFT - Main Building in 1876


Honoring Trustees Asa French and Asa

Palmer French.

Judge Asa French, an original trustee named

by Sylvanus Thayer (serving from 1877-1903),

he negotiated with the town of Braintree

regarding the location of the Academy

on Sylvanus’ property and oversaw the

construction of The Thayer Academy (Main

Building).

16

ABOVE - A drawing of the winning design by Hartwell and Swasey, from a competition to design Thayer Academy.

Given by Doris E. French. Designed by Louise Pennock


17

william & blanche b.

Cleaves

The Cleaves FamilyCLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT:

Herbert , Ford , Marjorie Cleaves Holmes , and Priscilla Cleaves Wills ‘37

east window 2 - middle left

18

Donated by the Cleaves family. Designed by Catherine Holly Nash ‘69


19

barbara cleaves phelps

Barbara Cleaves Phelps as president of Thayer Academy’s Girls’ Athletic Association (G.A.A.)

east window 2 - middle right

20

Donated by her brothers and sisters. Designed by Robert Bennett ’70


21

history

Grace Osgood teaching history.


22

Given by the Class of 1934 to celebrate its 25th reunion. Designed by Marilyn B. Dixon Jackson ‘59


23

dr. harold ripley

The school in 1910, when Frances Bryant Ripley was in Senior Middle Class.


24

Donated by Frances Bryant Ripley ‘11 in memory of her husband.

Designed by Louise Pennock.


25

The third window nearest to where

the stage used to be on the East side

honors Stacy Baxter Southworth,

William Gallagher, Leighton Tower,

Maurice Seymour, Jotham Bradbury

Sewall, and Gordon Oliver Thayer

EAST WINDOW 3

26

27


stacy baxter southworth

Thayerlands in 1924. Thayerlands was established by Dr. Southworth

east window 3 - Top Left

28

Given by Mrs. Stacy Southworth and family. Designed by Louise Pennock.


29

william gallagher

The 1906 Graduating Class of Thayer Academy. Note: John D. Long, LL.D. (front row, 3rd from left), a Thayer Trustee 1891-1915, Massachusetts Governor, and President McKinley’s Secretary of the Navy.


30

Given by Mr. Gallagher’s Greek & Latin classes. Designed by Louise Pennock.


31

leighton tower

Leighton Tower teaching.

east window 3 - middle left

32

Donated by the faculty. Designed by Louise Pennock.


33

maurice seymour

Maurice Seymour teaching in the classroom, 1962.


34

Donated by the faculty in his memory.

Designed by Louise Pennock.


35

jotham bradbury sewall

Line drawing of Glover Building, 1894.


36

Donated by his Latin students, 1877-1885. Designed by Louise Pennock.


37

gordon oliver thayer

Groundbreaking for the Southworth Library Building, 1964.


38

Donated by the faculty. Designed by Louise Pennock.


39

The fourth window on the East side

honors Paul Nixon, Gertrude Wilcox,

Margaret Choate, Ruth Aldrich,

Instrumental Music, and Choral music

EAST WINDOW 4

40

41


Paul Nixon

An alll-around athlete, Paul was no doubt on this team.


42

Donated by Frank MacDonald, Thayer Science Head, 1952-65, and Nixon’s student at Bowdoin. Designed by Louise Pennock.


43

gertrude wilcox

Thayerlands Wilcox at the “burning of the mortgage” ceremony.


44

Donated by Grace Osgood. Designed by Louise Pennock.


45

margaret choate

Margaret Choate in the classroom.

east window 4 - middle lefteast window 4 - middle left

46

Donated by the Academy. Designed by John Downing ‘75.


47

ruth aldrich

Ruth Aldrich Teaching


48


Given by the faculty. Designed by Peter Regas ‘68.Given by the faculty. Designed by Dr. Peter Regas ‘68.

49

instrumental music

Thayer Academy Band 1948


50

Thayer Academy Orchestra 1923

Given and designed by Valerie Pappas Sapounakis ‘60.


51

choral music

1972 Girls Chorus and Glee Club


52

Thayer Girls’ Choir 1972

Given anonymously. Designed by David Allard ‘58


53

The fifth window on the East side -

closest to the Frothingham Hall doors -

honors Lucy Allen, Grace Osgood,

Girls Athletics, and Boys Athletics.

EAST WINDOW 5

54

55


lucy allen

Lucy Allen’s Retirement Tribute, 1942


56

Given by her former students. Designed by Jane Holbrook Jewell ‘37.


57

grace lebaron osgood

Grace Osgood in theclassroom, 1955.


58

Given anonymously. Designed by Louise Pennock.


59

girls’ athletics

Thayer Girls’ Archery Team 1948.


The old Glover gymnasium

60

Given by the 1958 G.A.A. Designed by Mary Ciani Saslow ‘58.


61

boys’ athletics

Thayer’s undefeated Boys’ Baseball Team, 1947


62

Given and designed by Valerie J. Swanson.


63

The first window on the West side -

closest to where the stage used to be -

honors Jacob & Rose Grossman,

and William Roy Dawes, Jr.

weST WINDOW 1

64

65

frothingham halL west window 1

WILLIAM ROYDAWES, JR.

1935 Hockey Team. Roy is standing in the center of the back row.

west window 1 - left

66

Given by his Classmates of 1935. Designed by Lesley Sullivan Chamberlain ‘61.


67

jacob & rosegrossman

Thayer Academy’s first Grossman honorees in 1956: Cynthia Lane and E. Stephen Derby.

west window 1 - right

68

Given by the Grossman family. Designed by Mary Ciani Saslow ‘60.


69

The second window on the West side -

near where the stage used to be -

honors the Jonathan French family,

Peace, Merton Leslie Emerson, and

Christopher Hempstead Davis.

weST WINDOW 2

70

71


jonathan frenchfamily

Three generations of the French family: Asa, Asa Palmer, and Jonathan WalesFrench, Sr.

west window 2 - top left

72

Donated by Doris E. French. Designed by Louise Pennock.


73

peace

Campus Aerial Shot - 1975.

west window 2 - top right

74

Designed by Dr. Peter Regas ‘68.


75

merton leslieemerson

Line drawing of the “new auditorium” - Frothingham Hall Opens 1930.

west window 2 - bottom left

76

Designed by Mary Ciani Saslow ‘60.


77

christopherhempstead davis

Christopher Davis playing the bugle, 1960.

west window 2 - bottom right

78

Donated by the Class of 1960. Designed by Mary Ciani Saslow ‘60.


79

The third window on the West side -

in the middle of Frothingham -

honors Joan and Julian Cherubini,

Alice Holbrook, Lillian Sleeper Lane,

Ward Donner, George Eaton Lane,

and Thayer’s Art Department.

weST WINDOW 3

80

81


george e. lane

George Lane as a pianist at the 1957 Choral Concert, with Ann Thayer, who conducted the concert.


82

Given by the GAA. Designed by Priscilla Weisner Cole ‘46.


83

alice holbrook

Alice Holbrook, Thayer Academy student,

1888-91.

The long-time director of the Thayer Public

Library, she gave Thayer Academy the

house at 45 Hobart Avenue where Dr.

Southworth lived in his retirement years.

The Thayer public Library, named for its donor, Sylvanus Thayer - the founder of Thayer Academy, opened in 1874, two years after his death.

The stained glass design depicts an open book with Holbrook’s years as

a librarian at Thayer Public Library.


84

Donated by Ruth Aldrich. Designed by Louise Pennock.


85

lillian sleeper lane

west window 3 - middle left

86

Donated by the Latin Club 1965-66.


87

ward donner

Peter Benelli - Chapel eulogy of Donner:

“Ward Donner was a rare man... Life for him was many things - dilligent intellectual pursuit; hard athletic discipline; he was witty; he had dash, style, and elegance. He was a charter member of the community of men.”

Donner (at left, with hat)

west window 3 - middle right

88

Given by Faculty & Students 1968. Designed by Louise Pennock.


89

jon & juliancherubini

Julian Cherubini was on the staff

for the first edition of Panorama in

1953; standing, far right.

Jon ‘56 & Julian ‘53 Cherubini

The stained glass design depicts “The King of Judea.”

Jon Cherubini was a member

of Cum Laude and Art Editor

of the yearbook in 1956;

seated, far right, along with

Stephen Derby, Thurston

Hartford, Elizabeth Hanley,

Maureen McCarthy and Jane

Imper.


90

Given by Jon ’56 and Julian Cherubini ’53. Designed by Jon Cherubini ’56.


91

the good shepherd

John Semple, 1960s - Semple succeeded Louise Pennock as Thayer Academy’s Art Depart-ment Head.


92

Given by the Art Department. Designed by Harriet Hopkins Robertson ’57.


93

The fourth window on the West side -

closer to the Frothingham doors -

honors Rosella G. Macomber, Grace Burke,

Edith Giles Mitchell, Louise Saul,

“Visitation,” and “Annunciation.”

weST WINDOW 4

94

95


rosella g.macomber

Macomber’s granddaughters:ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Cynthia Tulloch ‘58, Nancy Tulloch Collins ‘62, and Virginia Tulloch ‘64


96

Donated by Macomber’s granddaughters. Designed by Virginia Tulloch ‘64.


97

grace burke

Grace Burke in the classroom.


98

Donated by her colleagues. Designed by Louise Pennock.


99

edith gilesmitchell

Edith Mitchell in the classroom.


100

Given by Faculty and Trustees. Designed by Rebecca Bernen ’71.


101

louise saul

Lillian Wentworth and the Sauls in 1984 at a Headmaster luncheon.

west window 4 - middle right

102

Donated by Edward D. Rose ’57. Designed by Hope Metcalf Ricciardi ’68.


103

“annunciation”


104

Anonymous donation. Designed by Louise Pennock.


105

“visitation”


106

Donated by Joseph Cunningham. Jr. ‘57. Designed by Louise Pennock.


107

The fifth window on the West side -

closest to the Frothingham doors -

honors Louise Pennock,

Mrs. Franklin Merriam, Helen Hixon,

“Star in the East,” and “The Prophet.”

weST WINDOW 5

108

109


LOUISE WETHERBEEPENNOCK

Art Classes in Glover.


110

Given by the Faculty. Designed by a member of the class of 1968.


111

mrs. franklinmerriam

Students eating in the cafeteria - with Mrs. Merriam standing in the background to the left.


112

Given by Elizabeth Merriam Austin ‘28. Designed by Louise Pennock.


113

helen hixon

Helen Hixon playing basketball & tennis.


114

Given by the Faculty. Designed by Rebecca Bernen ‘71.


115

“star in the east”


116

Given by Mr. and Mrs. Ben S. Herrick. Designed by Rachael Herrick Perry ‘59.


117

“the prophet”


118

Designed by Donna Perrow Brown ‘60.


119

Left: Charles Weyerhaeuser ‘59

Right: Robert Weyerhaeuser ‘63

STAIRWAY WINDOWS

120

121

Given by Carl & Edith Weyerhaeuser. Designed by Lucy White Dean ‘61.

frothingham halL stairway windows

frothingham hall

122

thayer academy’s first cafeteria

original auditorium seats

new, more comfortable seats (1980s)

frothingham hall during the 80s and 90s

123

yesterday

auditorium - before stained glass windows

frothingham hall in 2000

sketch of frothingham’s cupola

frothingham hall in 2005

124

frothingham hall

frothingham hall and the new center for the arts

frothingham hall 2009

In 2008, Frothingham Hall was merged with Thayer Academy’s new Center

for the Arts, which opened in the fall. Frothingham’s main floor has been

converted to an expansive and open visual arts space, while its lower floor

(the former Dining Hall) has been utilized for rehearsal by Thayer student

musicians since the mid-1990s. The CFA features a 540-seat auditorium,

which replaces Frothingham Hall as a student meeting space, performance

stage, and venue for larger community gatherings.

today

view of the new frothingham hall interior from the front entrance

Student Art Class inside the new frothingham hall

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Windows to History

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frothingham hall east

east windows

uthe stained glass window

frothingham halls east

west windows

frothingham scholar

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frothingham halls west