Southern Gal'
A student from the South during the Civil War
Some of the Southern gal's parents were astounded when they were told that Oramel's intense loyalty to the Union cause made all the students make a declaration to the North. Thismay have resulted in some attendance drop. The Ladies Loyal Union League, with a strong book lock and key, held the names of members and their resolutions; however, most of the pages were blank. Oramel enthusiastically shot a cannon on the front grounds of the school every time the Union North had a victory. - Cindy Lee Corriveau "Images of America: Salem, Connecticut"
Music Vale Seminary Archive, Salem Historical Society
Salem Historical Society Collections
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Young Student With Flowers in Her Hair
Student at the Music Vale Seminary
Young women came from the Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Nova Scotia, and some as far as the West Indies.
Music Vale Seminary Archives, Salem Historical Society
Salem Historical Society
1835-1876
SalemHistorical Society
Young Student with Chain-Link Cross Necklace
Young Student at the Music Vale Seminary
Young women came from the Carolinas, Kentucky, Kansas, Nova Scotia, and some as far as the West Indies.
Music Vale Seminary Archive, Salem Historical Society
Salem Historical Society
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Oramel Whittlesey is flanked by his two daughters and the rest of the faculty of Music Vale Seminary
Head of school and teachers at the Music Vale Seminary
Head of school and teachers at the Music Vale Seminary
Music Vale Seminary Archive
Salem Historical Society
1865
Salem Historical Society
Professor Whittlesey and Students
On rare occasions Professor Whittlesey joined the young women in one of their productions. Here the girls are seen dressed in costume for an opera.
Music Vale Seminary Archive
Salem Historical Society
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Karolyn (Kate) Bradford Whittlesey
The youngest daughter of Oramel and Charlotte was Karolyn (Kate) Bradford Whittlesey, born April 2, 1843. She taught harp, piano, and guitar at Music Vale. Kate never married. She moved to Topeka, Kansas, to teach music. She became head of the department at Bethany College in Topeka.- Cindy Lee Corriveau "Images of America: Salem, Connecticut"
Music Vale Seminary Archive
Salem Historical Society
1843-1876
Salem Historical Society
Jeanette Morgan Whittlesey
Jeanette Morgan Whittlesey, the third daughter, was born March 29, 1836, and married William Henry Maginnis, the brother of Elisabeth's husband, John. She was a talented singer, teaching voice lessons to the young women of Music Vale. Jeanette and William had seven children. - Cindy Lee Corriveau "Images of America: Salem, Connecticut"
Music Vale Seminary, Salem Historical Society
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society
Charlotte Maconda Maginnis
Charlotte Maconda Maginnis, daughter of Jeanette, was born March 12, 1863. She became known as the prima donna in New York, where she studied and performed in famous operas until she married William Wellington Walters of New York City. Pictured is Madame Maconda dressed in costume for a concert at Music Vale. -Cindy Lee Corriveau "Images of America: Salem, Connecticut"
Music Vale Seminary Archive
1863-1876
Salem Historical Society
Sarah Victoria Whittlesey, Age 82
Bela Lyon Pratt, one of Sarah's sons, was born December 11, 1867, in Norwich. At 16, he attended Yale School of Fine Arts and later became a teacher at the school of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. He is credited with 175 impressive sculptures, including the nathan Hale at Yale and the Andersonville Prisoner Boy in the State capitol building in Connecticut. His graduate degree was from Harvard. He also designed coins for the United States Mint. He designed a reverse-relief coin. Music Vale property was sold out of the family, and in 1910, Bela Pratt purchased 100 acres of his grandfather Oramel's original land. Here is a bust Belda did of his mother at 82. -Cindy Lee Corriveau
Music Vale Seminary Archives, Salem Historical Society
1876-1890
Salem Historical Society
Sarah Victoria Whittlesey
The second daughter, Sarah Victoria Whittlesey, born May 23, 1831, also taught at the Music Vale Seminary. On July 31, 1858, she married lawyer George Pratt of Norwich, where they lived for many years before moving to Kansas City, Missouri. Sarah and George Pratt had six children. - Cindy Lee Corriveau
Music Vale Seminary Archives
1835-1876
Salem Historical Society