Surviving Barn at Music Vale Seminary
Only the barn is left at the once thriving music school. A sign near Route 85 states rather unobtrusively: Music Vale Seminary. In the foreground is the cellar of Music Vale Seminary filled with water. -Cindy Lee Corriveau
Music Vale Seminary Archive
2006
Salem Historical Society
Elizabeth (Eliza) Maginnis
The eldest daughter of Oramel and Charlotte, Elizabeth (Eliza) Maginnis (nee Whittlesey), born October 5, 1826, was a teacher and later vice principal at Music Vale. After her husband John's death in 1864, she started a school of music called Maginnis Institute of Music in New London. It is now a rectory of St. James Church. John and Eliza had two daughters. -Cindy Lee Corriveau
Music Vale Seminary Archives
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Two Pianos made by the Whittlesey brothers
Two pianos made by the Whittlesey brothers are seen here. The pianos were made of rosewood and mahogany with ivory piano keys that had been sawed by hand and mother-of-pearl inlay letters and ornamentation. On the inside of every Whittlesey piano was a brass plate bearing the family name. Henry and John excelled in the mechanics of manufacturing these pricesless painos, while Oramel leaned more to the instruction of music. These pianos would have existed at Music Vale Seminary. - Cindy Lee Corriveau
Music Vale Seminary Archive
1830
Salem Historical Society
Henry Packwood Whittlesey
The youngest son of Rev. John and Sally Whittlesey was Henry Packwood Whittlesey, born October 26, 1812. Henry was in partnership of manufacturing pianos with his older brothers, John Whittlesey, born January 27, 1806, and Oramel, who started to drift away from the manufacturing business into the teaching aspect.
Music Vale Seminary Archive
Salem Historical Society
Oramel Whittlesey
In the early 1830's, Oramel's reputation as a teacher was already growing. In 1835, two young women knocked at the door and invited themselves in, stating they had come to recieve instruction, and hence, Music Vale was born. Oramel was so well liked and respected by his peers in Salem during the operation of Music Vale that he later became postmater, judge of probate, and was sent for a term of the Connecticut general assembly.
Music Vale Seminary Archive
1835-1870
Salem Historical Society
Oramel Whittlesey and his wife Charlotte Maconda Morgan
Music Vale Seminary Archive
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
The Little Red Cottage
The Little Red Cottage, the home of Rev. John Whittlesey, was also known as the Methodist Tavern because of the great hospitality shown here. This is the oldest house in Salem, and is still standing.
Music Vale Seminary Archive
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Rev. John Whittlesey
Rev. John Whittlesey, 1780-1864, was a strong-willed Methodist minister of the sect "New Lights". He married his cousin Sally Whittelsey in Westbrook, Connecticut; note the variation on spelling. They moved to Salem in 1801, the year Oramel was born. Togethery they had three sons, Oramel, John, and Henry and two daughters who both died at age two. John ran an ivory factory that made piano keys as his livelihood. At this time, Connecticut had 90 percent of the market on manufacturing ivory. The boys shwoed a keen interest in music at an early age. Though they purchased a secondhand piano, the elder Whittlesey would not allow them to take time off from their chores to take lessons. on their own time the boys went to New London for piano instruction. They would arrive at 8:00pm and not return until 3:00am.
-Cindy Lee Corriveau "Images of America: Salem, Connecticut"
Music Vale Seminary Archives
1780-1864
Salem Historical Society
Music Vale through a double-photograph used in a stereoscope
Here is a view of Music Vale Seminary, taken from a double-photograph used in a stereoscope, the forerunner of the modern day "view master"
Music Vale Seminary Archive
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Signatures on Quilt made by Music Vale Seminary Students
The students of the Music Vale Seminary made this quilt for the Salem Congregational Church Bazaar
Music Vale Seminary Archives
1850
Salem Historical Society