Bibliography of Wheaton Histories

Austin, H. M., & Budd, N. M. (Eds.). (1984). Alive and well said: Ideas at Wheaton. Norton, MA: Wheaton College.

This anthology reflects the creative achievement of many individuals through the first one hundred and fifty years of Wheaton College. Members of the Wheaton family, trustees, faculty, administrators and alumnae are represented.

Boas, L. S. (1935). Woman’s education begins: The rise of the women’s colleges. Norton, MA: Wheaton College.

This text concentrates on the development of education for women during the nineteenth century using Wheaton’s founding and growth as a case study.

Clewes, C. M. (1960). Wheaton through the years, 1835-1960. Norton, MA: Wheaton College.

This very brief account, written for Wheaton’s 125th anniversary, concentrates on the founding of the Seminary and its history during the nineteenth century. Only a few pages are devoted to the period between 1912 and 1960.

Helmreich, P. C. (1985). Wheaton College: The Seminary years, 1834-1912. Norton, MA: Wheaton College.

This study of Wheaton’s founding, nineteenth-century history and change to college status is invaluable for its information on the Wheaton family and for placing Wheaton in the context of the history of education for women.

Helmreich, P. C. (2002). Wheaton College, 1834-1957: A Massachusetts family affair. Cranbury, NJ: Cornwallis Books.

This study includes the updated text of Helmreich’s earlier history and continues the story to 1957, when the board of trustees voted to significantly increase student enrollment.

Larcom, L. (1885). Wheaton Seminary: A semi-centennial sketch. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press.

Written for the Seminary’s 50th anniversary by one of Wheaton’s preeminent teachers, this volume is particularly useful for its cataloging of the accomplishments of many Seminary graduates, but its lack of citations and index make this rather sentimental history difficult to use for research. It can also be read online at Google Books.

Paine, H. E. (1862). The life of Eliza Baylies Wheaton: A chapter in the history of the higher education of women. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press.

This biography, written by a personal friend of Mrs. Wheaton, is an important source of information on the woman whose influence over Wheaton extended from its founding in 1834 until her death in 1905. The author knew many of her friends and associates and had access to correspondence and diaries lent to her by Wheaton relatives that are now inaccessible. The lack of citations and index make this rather sentimental biography difficult to use for research. This book can also be read online at the Internet Archive.

Shepard, G. F. (1931). Reference history of Wheaton College (Unpublished manuscript).

This very detailed account includes many documents transcribed in part or in full. Shepard had access to many borrowed letters, diaries and other primary materials, which makes this account invaluable.

Stickney, Z. L., & Davidson, S. C. (1985) Of all our immemorial past: 150 years at Wheaton. Norton, MA: Wheaton College.

Written by the College archivist and the director of Watson Gallery to complement a sesquicentennial exhibit of the same name, this history covers the Seminary’s founding through the 150th anniversary in 1985. Numerous photos accompany the text.