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Brigham Young Academy

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1875 - 1903

Administrative History

Brigham Young Academy (1875-1903) was established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Brigham Young for the instruction of church members in the area of Provo, Utah.

Brigham Young Academy was the predecessor to Brigham Young University and Brigham Young High School. Brigham Young saw the school as a place where all secular learning should be fused with teachings from the scriptures. Despite steady growth during its early years, the Academy was threatened by a series of financial and physical setbacks. With the help and sacrifice of Abraham O. Smoot, the campus moved in 1891 to new facilities on University Avenue in Provo Utah. The Academy's curriculum strengthened and enrollment grew. In 1903, the name was officially changed to Brigham Young University.

Brigham Young Academy principals included Warren N. Dusenberry (1876), Karl G. Maeser (1876-1892), and Benjamin Cluff (1892-1894). Benjamin Cluff also served as Academy president between 1894 and 1903.

Citation:
The Journal of pedagogy, Feb. 1895: t.p. (Brigham Young Academy)

BYU--national champions, 1985: intro. (Brigham Young University)

History of BYU (within Brigham Young University website), via WWW, 4 November 2010 (Brigham Young Academy established October 16, 1875 in Provo, Utah. Name changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. Sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Provo City Library website, via WWW, Oct. 2, 2012 (Brigham Young Academy; founded in 1876; essentially a high school until 1896, with the founding of the College Dept.)

YFacts History of BYU, via WWW, viewed May 31, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy (1875-1903), Brigham Young saw the school as a place where all secular learning should be fused with teachings from the scriptures, despite steady growth during its early years, the Academy was threatened by a series of financial and physical setbacks, with the help and sacrifice of Abraham O. Smoot, the campus moved in 1891 to new facilities on University Avenue in Provo Utah, the Academy's curriculum strengthened and enrollment grew, 1903 the name was officially changed to Brigham Young University)

Yfacts BYU Presidents, via WWW, viewed Mar. 19, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy principals included Warren N. Dusenberry (1876), Karl G. Maeser (1876-1892), and Benjamin Cluff (1892-1903))

Brigham Young High School History, via WWW, viewed May 31, 2013 (Brigham Young Academy was the predecessor to Brigham Young University and Brigham Young High School)

Found in 28 Collections and/or Records:

Latter-day Saint priesthood records of Brigham Young Academy

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 70
Scope and Contents

Collection includes bound typescript copy and bound carbon copy of typescript copy of Church priesthood meetings and lists of ordinances performed. James E. Talmage was clerk. Typescript copies from p. 75 to 123 of original.

Dates: 1879-1881

The Miracle at Academy Square collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2940
Abstract

Contains an extremely detailed compilation (eight volumes) of official documents, correspondence, minutes, photographs, estimates, and records associated with the renovation of the old Brigham Young Academy building in Provo, UT. Also includes a CD with a digitized copy of each volume (excluding Vol. 3, written by L. Lee Bartlett).

Dates: approximately 1984-2003

Notes and statistical reports taken from original Brigham Young Academy records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231036739]
Identifier: UA 237
Scope and Contents

Includes training school history and curriculum, statistical reports, and faculty activities at the Academy. 3 items.

Dates: 1876-1878

Polysophical Society minutes

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2879
Scope and Contents

Two pages of handwritten minutes of the society's first two meetings, held in the Lewis Building at Brigham Young Academy on November 30 and December 7, 1877. Minutes include summary of Karl G. Maeser's comments on the society's functions, and qualifications for membership. The society's first president was Joseph Keeler, a recent Brigham Young Academy graduate. Minutes recorded by Fannie Rogers, secretary.

Dates: 1877

Polysophical Society records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231027233]
Identifier: UA 84
Scope and Contents

Includes minutes of the Polysophical Society 1892-1895; souvenir copies of the first Society meeting agenda; and several handwritten notes.

Dates: 1884-1939; Majority of material found within 1892-1895

Polysophical Society records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035962]
Identifier: UA 226
Scope and Contents

Contains meeting minutes, programs, membership records, and party invitations. Also includes a brief history and correspondence from Herald R. Clark to Ernest L. Wilkinson concerning Polysophical Society as forerunner of lyceum course.

Dates: 1880-1895

Preparatory Department records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035806]
Identifier: UA 235
Scope and Contents

Contains handwritten faculty meeting minutes with a partial typewritten transcript.

Dates: 1892-1898

President's Council records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035111]
Identifier: UA 194
Scope and Contents

Contains original handwritten minutes and loose-leaf pages concerning role of President's Council, faculty, courses taught, and hours per week taught, 1898-1902. A bound, typewritten transcript is also included.

Dates: 1898-1902

Redd family papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232491073]
Identifier: MSS 678
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten and typewritten materials. Most of the items were collected by the descendants of Lemuel Hardison Redd (1856-1923). Included in the collection are minutes of a Redd family meeting, a biography of Eliza M. Partridge Lyman, a list of persons buried in Bluff, Utah, from 1880 to 1951, correspondence of family members, two patriarchal blessings given by Hyrum Smith, and an essay by John Redd, a student at the Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah.

Dates: 1844-1966

Social Party Committee minutes

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012201]
Identifier: UA 342
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes of a social committee planning a party for Brigham Young Academy students in January 1878. Includes a transcript.

Dates: 1878 January 18