Hortense May Orcutt (October 2, 1874 – January 21, 1936) was an American educator and businessperson. She was the superintendent of the Kate Baldwin Free Kindergarten for twenty-five years.[1] During her time in the role, the business grew into a popular system of kindergartens and a training school (known as the Normal Department) for kindergarten teachers,[2] with as many as five kindergartens in operation at one time.[3] The network educated approximately four thousand children between 1899 and 1943.
Hortense May Orcutt | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 2, 1874 Conway, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1936 (aged 61) Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Center Cemetery, Whately, Massachusetts |
| Occupation | Educator |
She was regarded as one of the most prominent women of Savannah, Georgia, between her arrival in 1907 and her death in 1936.[4]
Life and career
editOrcutt was born in 1874, in Conway, Massachusetts, to William Baker Orcutt and Mary Ella Kingsley. Her mother died when Orcutt was nineteen years old; her father followed four years later.
She trained for kindergarten work at New York City's Ethical Culture School, and after graduating, taught in the school's psychology department.[4]
After moving to Savannah, Georgia, in 1907, she became a member of the Girl Scout Board of Councilors and the city's chapter of the League of Women Voters.[5]
Death
editOrcutt died in 1936,[1] aged 61. Her funeral was held at Christ Church in Savannah. She was interred alongside her parents in Center Cemetery in Whately, Massachusetts.[4]
Upon her death, the training school was discontinued, but the Baldwin family continued the East Side Kindergarten, and nine other kindergartens continued under the auspices of the public schools, a church and other organizations.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b NoP- '2's, 8pecia t to Z'car (1936-01-22). "MISS HORTENSE M. ORCUTT; Savannah Kindergarten Head Had Taught in New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Collection Number: 02834. Collection Title: Kate Baldwin Free Kindergarten Records, 1899-1938" - The Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- ^ "Kate Baldwin Free Kindergarten (Savannah, Ga.) photograph album" - Georgia Historical Society
- ^ a b c "Obituary for Hortense Orcutt". The Atlanta Constitution. 1936-01-23. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ Butler, Elyse (2019-12-12). "Affiliate Chapter Guest Blog Series: Girl Scouts and the Vote". Georgia History Festival. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ "Kate Baldwin Kindergarten Papers, 1899–1938", University of North Carolina Chapel Hill