A Lecture on Popular Education, delivered in the Hall of the House of Delegates, at Annapolis, on Wednesday Evening, March 2, 1853, by H. Winchester, A.M., President of the Frederick Female Seminary.

“Mind is the motive power of the universe”

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Address on education delivered by Hiram Winchester of Frederick Female Seminary, an all-girls school in Frederick, Maryland.

Winchester’s address, delivered in Maryland’s state capitol discusses education in Europe, America, and Maryland in particular, referencing Horace Mann and both non-sectarian and religious education. Among the latter he mentions Jews, Muslims, Mormons, “Shaking Quakers” (Shakers), and “Spiritual Rappers.” Winchester advocates for non-sectarian education and proposes a strong public school system: “Such a school system will be equal in its operation over he whole state. The poorest person in the farthest part of the state will be benefited by it as well as the richest nabob in the city. ... Fountains will spring from dusty plains and vegetation rise from barren fields, and the whole region will wave in verdure and swell with golden harvests.” (p20)

Winchester, a school teacher from New England, came to Frederick in 1839 and founded Frederick Female Seminary which was chartered the following year. In addition to having paying students, Winchester enrolled one orphan from each city and county in Maryland.

OCLC: NY Historical and Univ. Maryland, College Park only.

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