The fashionable Miss Dana school was on the corner of South Street and Headley. The school became an exclusive private institution during the time of the gilded age and grew to be an institution of the highest quality in Morristown, both socially and academically. The school was furnished with Oriental rugs, heavy velvet curtains, overstuffed plush sofas, and large chandeliers. The course of study was classical: four years of Latin and four required years of English and Bible as well as required courses in history, algebra, and geometry. Classes were limited to 15 students and were taught only by seminar, thereby ensuring the girls received highly trained, personal attention. At Miss Dana's, students were expected to follow strict rules: both going to the movies and smoking were forbidden. It was expected of the young women that they be able to recite poetry and attend evening lectures. A studio was provided for art classes and instruction included drawing from objects, nature and life in crayon, watercolor and oil. Class work was supplemented by trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The entire school met weekly to discuss current events, and the senior year focused on such themes as exploitation in the slums, reports of muckrakers, and the growth of the Socialist party. The exposure to current social and political topics, as well as the excellent classical curriculum, prepared them for enrollment in any one of the nation's leading women's colleges of the day, and for a life of civic mindedness.
The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center Photograph and Image Collection
