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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 172 Collections and/or Records:

Look on the side that's bright

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322247]
Identifier: MSS SC 2339
Scope and Contents

Handwritten poem written on Brigham Young Academy stationary. The stationary is dated 189-. The poem is signed by "Thos. Jones Jr." The poem suggests that people be optimistic about their lives.

Dates: undated

Reinhard Maeser papers

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2115
Scope and Contents Contains a photo negative of Reinhard Maeser, mounted on a wood block for printing; an unidentified photograph, presumably of a school class in Heber City, Utah, taken on the front steps of a building; a photograph of the 20th Ward Institute in Salt Lake City, including Karl G. Maeser, Reinhard Maeser, C. R. Savage, and others; a guest book, accompanied by cards, from the funeral of Reinhard's wife, Sarah Shepherd Maeser; and class notes recorded by Reinhard Maeser at the University of...
Dates: 1878-1944

Reinhard Maeser papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1841
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, notes, speeches, certificates, poems, and miscellaneous items. The materials relate to Reinhard's missions for the Mormon Church, his teaching activities, and his relationship to his family. Correspondents include Karl G. Maeser and Reinhard's wife, Sarah Caroline Shepherd.

Dates: 1838-1944

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

Monroe J. and Shirley Brockbank Paxman collection on Academy Square, 1989-2004

 Series — Box 25: Series 3; Series 13 [Barcode: 31197239116871], Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS 7011 Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains clippings, correspondence, notes, minutes, and other documents related to the Paxman's involvement in the Brigham Young Academy Foundation and the process of turning Academy Square buildings into the Provo Library site. Dated 1989 to 2004.

Dates: 1989-2004

Joseph C. Nelson photographs of Brigham Young University

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1007
Scope and Contents

Materials include forty-seven photographs that document campus life in the 1920s. Subjects include Cleo and Tarbo (early Brigham Young University cougar cub mascots), the construction of the Heber J. Grant Library, lower campus, and student activities. Also included are photographs of Mount Timpanogos. Dated approximately 1920-1929.

Dates: approximately 1920-1929

Parley Pratt Nelson diaries

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2261
Scope and Contents

Collection contains photocopies of two diaries of Parley Pratt Nelson, a student who participated on the Benjamin Cluff Brigham Young Academy Expedition (1899-1900) and served a mission in Southern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1901-1903).

Dates: 1900-1903

Newspaper clippings, 1899-1919, 1976 April 2

 Series
Identifier: MSS 1421 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains full newspaper sheets, mainly from newspapers in Utah and Canada. Dated from 1899 to 1919 and April 2, 1976.

Dates: 1899-1919; 1976 April 2

Margaret Grace Greer Nuttall family papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2070
Abstract

Diaries, photographs, and other papers of Margaret Greer Nuttall and her husband, William A. Nuttall. Includes autobiographical sketch of Margaret and papers relating to her activities as a student at Brigham Young Academy.

Dates: 1893-1976

Julia Maria Jesperson Okelberry papers

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233637369]
Identifier: MSS 6034
Scope and Contents

Julia Maria Jesperson Okelberry papers include: Journals, 1881-1917; Photographs, ca. 1885-1941; and Family History and Genealogy, 1953-2005. The collection documents Okelberry's life in Goshen, Utah, as well as her student days at the Brigham Young Academy. Additional materials include family histories and genalogies compiled and prepared by Merrill J. Nelson, grandson of Julia Maria Jesperson Okelberry.

Dates: 1881-2005