Williams Memorial Institute

Harriet Peck Williams born on March 17, 1795, and was married to General William Williams. They had three male children, all of whom died early in life. After the death of her son in 1855, she became a philanthropist for the promotion and advancement of female education.[4] and upon her death, her will allocated a large portion of her fortune to begin a high school for girls in New London in memory of her son, "The Williams Memorial Institute".[3] When her husband died in 1870, she became the last survivor of her family and continued being a philanthropist. She also founded a library in honor of her father "The Bela Peck Library".[3]

The first building was located on 110 Broad Street, the architects of which were Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. The plot of land on Broad Street was the highest of the land and the buildings was built in a Romanesque Style. The school was able to accommodate three hundred students and had seven classrooms, a gymnasium, laboratories, and a library.[5] This building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 for its architecture and now houses a state superior court.

Colin Sherman Buell was the first president of The Williams Memorial Institute. He was a key figure in improving higher education for women.[6] Buell tried to expand the Memorial Institute to become a women's college, but the plan fell through due to lack of interest.[6] When Wesleyan College in Middletown decided to stop admitting women to the university, Buell combined efforts with Elizabeth Wright.[7] With help from the City of New London, who raised $135,000 and one million dollars from Morton F. Plant. they helped found Connecticut College. He later became a member of the college's board of trustees

On February 18, 1954, the Williams Memorial Institute started discussions to relocate the school near the Connecticut College campus on Mohegan Avenue. The relocation cost $200,000 and stipulated that the college approve all the terms of the junction. The terms of the agreement were bonded by a ten-year contract, set to be renewed every five years after the completion of the initial ten years.[8]

The new Williams Memorial Insititute building is located in the south portion of the campus near Palmer Auditorium. The architects responsible for the design are Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, who designed buildings for Connecticut College [8] The building was expanded on November 24, 1964, to be able to accommodate more students.[9] It has since changed its name to The Williams School, although its legal name is still The Williams Memorial Institute.

Through the relationship between the two schools, Connecticut College education majors are able to student teach at the Williams School, while the college provides funding to the Williams School. This relationship was one of the first ones between a college and a secondary or elementary school that the Ford Foundation was interested in the project.[8] The college and the school are separate entities that mutually benefit each other. The college has no power over educational curriculum and extracurricular activities of the school.

The middle school (grades 6-8) requires courses in English, history (local and American), science, math, Spanish, and Latin, as well as enrichment courses that include art, music, drama, dance, health and wellness, and research skills.[3]

The high school (grade 9-12) offers a New Advanced Course curriculum that promotes the deepening of advanced placement courses. The school also allows seniors to take courses at Connecticut College so they can experience college life and receive college credits.[3]

• Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
• Member of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
• Member of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce[3]