Brooklyn Heights Seminary

The Brooklyn Heights Seminary was founded by Alonzo Gray in 1851.[1][2][3] It was an offshoot of the Brooklyn Female Academy (est. 1845), which eventually became the Packer Collegiate Institute.[1] The school was originally located at 88 Montague Place, now known as Montague Street, in Brooklyn Heights, and later at 138-140 Montague Street.[4][3] The original faculty consisted of Professor Gray, Miss Arethusa Hall, and twelve other teachers.[1] 166 pupils enrolled in the school's first year.[1] The school's "Board of Visitors" included many well-known Brooklynites of the time, including Henry Ward Beecher.[1] Reverend Richard S. Storrs lectured at the school during its first year.[1] He also served as temporary principal after Gray passed away in March 1861.[1] In September 1861, the school was purchased by Dr. Charles E. West, who served as principal until his retirement in 1889.[1][5] His assistant principal was Mary A. Brigham.[1][6] Clara B. Colton took over leadership of the school in 1889, in partnership with three other faculty members.[1] Colton retired in 1903.[1]

Upon Colton's retirement, a committee composed of the school's patrons and the Brooklyn Heights Seminary Club incorporated the school under a Board of Trustees with Teunis G. Bergen as president.[1] Ellen Yale Stevens was appointed as principal and the former Chittenden mansion at 18 Pierrepont Street was leased to house the school.[1][7][3] In 1906 the Trustees purchased the property, and in 1907 a three-story extension was added with a gymnasium and classrooms.[1] The extension was named Stanton Hall in memory of Mr. George A. Stanton.[1][3]

In 1914 Florence Greer was appointed assistant principal.[1] Greer became principal in 1923 and held the position until her death in 1933.[8]

The school ceased to operate after Greer's death.[3] Its building was demolished in 1934 to make way for apartment buildings.[2][7][9][3]