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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 66 Collections and/or Records:

General Church Board of Education correspondence, 1888-1901

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains the correspondence of Karl G. Maeser and other members of the Church Board of Education related to the schools of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Correspondence references difficulties related to funding and staffing a large number of schools. Materials date from 1888 to 1901.

Dates: 1888-1901

Daniel Harrington papers

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231011120]
Identifier: UA 317
Scope and Contents

Includes a published pamphlet which appraises the work of Karl Maeser; a letter to Franklin Harris concerning the Maeser celebration in Provo in 1915; and his personal reminiscences of Provo and the Brigham Young Academy from 1879-1881.

Dates: 1925

Lella M. Hoggan papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231012771]
Identifier: UA 383
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of letters from George Brimhall to Lella Hoggan; her expense account and grades for one quarter at Brigham Young Academy; and her life sketch from the Relief Society Magazine.

Dates: 1880-1940

Edward H. Holt papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231036630]
Identifier: UA 250
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence regarding admission to Brigham Young Academy, theology class assignments, petitions, essays, talks by Lorenzo Snow and George Q. Cannon, papers regarding credit, advanced standing, student clubs, and miscellaneous correspondence and reports from Holt's files. Materials date from between 1899 and 1938.

Dates: 1899-1938

Karl G. Maeser personal correspondence, 1861-1900

 Series
Identifier: UA 1094 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence related to the personal life and projects of Maeser, along with correspondence related to his family. Included are Maeser's correspondence with Brigham Young about the issue of plural marriage and the state of his family. Dates range from 1861 to 1900.

Dates: 1861-1900

Francis W. Kirkham letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322932]
Identifier: MSS SC 2376
Scope and Contents

Handwritten letter, on "Provo City, Utah" stationary, which is dated 10 Oct. 1900 and addressed to "Dearest Zina." The item was signed by "Francis" who is believed to have been Francis W. Kirkham. Francis writes to his "sweetheart" telling her of his activities at Brigham Young Academyin Provo, Utah.

Dates: 1900 October 10

Laboratory School education experimental programs and laboratory reports, 1963-1968

 Series — Box 9: Series 11; Series 12 [Barcode: 31197235223861], Folder: 3-4
Identifier: UA 564 Series 12
Scope and Contents note

Contains reports associated with study on the "Need for Individualizing Instruction and Learning." Includes laboratory reports #3-5, other published reports and guides, correspondence clippings, progress plans, and computer programs. Dates range from 1963-1968.

Dates: 1963-1968

Laboratory School general subject files, 1957-1968

 Series — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2 [Barcode: 31197235223879], Folder: 1-4
Identifier: UA 564 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains policy and procedure reports, memorandums, duties, general student standards, correspondence, and faculty handbook; correspondence from Donna Lee Turley to Lowell Thompson, Richard Wootton, et. al, attendance record reports, emergency evacuation route floor plans, and other materials. Dates range from 1957-1968.

Dates: 1957-1968

Laboratory School parent-teacher association records, 1940-1968

 Series — Box 16: Series 22; Series 23 [Barcode: 31197235223812], Folder: 1-5
Identifier: UA 564 Series 22
Scope and Contents note

Contains meeting minutes, expenditures, correspondence, reports, policy and procedure, constitutions, patron lists, and treasurer's record. Dates range from 1940-1968.

Dates: 1940-1968

Letter on the burning of the Brigham Young Academy at Provo

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231035210]
Identifier: UA 179
Scope and Contents

Letter to Evanda Young in the form of a poem concerning the burning of Brigham Young Academy, January 28, 1884.

Dates: 1884