In 1912, Miss Catherine R. Seabury realized her dream of opening an Episcopal college preparatory boarding school for girls at her country estate, Resthaven, in Mendon, MA. Various artifacts from the era remain to this day, including nine small dormitory rooms on the third floor of the large granite house. Each room features beadboard paneling, 100 year old wallpaper, and a small closet or niche for storage of personal items. Although the dorm rooms have not been used as living space in almost 80 years, and are quite rustic by today's standards, one can feel a presence there, almost as if walking back in time. It is not hard to imagine the girls preparing for their school day, which consisted of a rigorous program meant to encourage the growth of body, mind, and soul.
The girls' day began with breakfast at 7:45 am, followed by Morning Prayer in the chapel, Swedish gymnastics, singing, lessons, and school duties, so that by 3:00, everyone was out of doors. Then some of the girls would drive down to the village to the tiny post office, play games, or walk the fields and woods, collecting whatever was in season, be it blueberries, grapes, or ferns with which to decorate the chapel. The academic schedule included typical subject matter such as Literature, English Composition, History, and Mathematics, as well as Latin and French, Biology or Physics, Music (including weekly forays to the Symphony in Boston, and occasionally to the Opera House), and Bible study. Meals were also a source of instruction, so that the girls would naturally develop a talent for polite and "earnest discussion of worthwhile things". Each day ended with an early supper, study time, and story-telling before bed. According to the brochure, the Resthaven School for Girls charged $1000 for tuition, room and board, and incidentals for the 1916-1917 school year.
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