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Bairds Ladies College
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.25.1″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25.1″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25.1″][et_pb_button button_url=”http://henrycountymomuseum.org/struggle-for-statehood-mobile/” button_text=”Introduction” _builder_version=”3.25.3″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25.1″][et_pb_button button_url=”http://henrycountymomuseum.org/henry-county-history-mobile/” button_text=”Henry County History” _builder_version=”3.25.1″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25.1″][et_pb_button button_url=”http://henrycountymomuseum.org/creative-county-contest-mobile/” button_text=”Creative County Contest” _builder_version=”3.25.1″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.25.1″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25.3″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.25.3″]
“Baird College had as its origin an earnest desire of the public-spirited citizen of Clinton and Henry County to establish in their midst that would not only be adequate to their wants but would also afford to young ladies the highest advantages and facilities for the acquisition of a thorough and finished education.” Quoted from Baird College’s 1895 catalog.
Baird Ladies College was established in 1885 and created to educate the daughters of the midwest elite. At one time boasting over 300 students, this institution was designed to educate women in the arts as well as language and elocution.
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Priscilla and Homer T Baird, both well respected educators, were hired to run the school. The teachers employed by the school were considered some of the top educators in America and Europe. Each specialized in a particular field such as music or painting.
The building itself was considered a masterpiece of modern convenience. Boasting a four story central building with three story wings, it had 110 rooms, steam heat, gas lights, speaking tubes, and a bathroom on each floor. There was even an elevator. The building cost $7500 to build and was a massive project for the town of Clinton.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25.3″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25.3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.25.3″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”18px”]During its heyday Baird produced many notable graduates including Callie Hart, artist, and Courtney Thomas, opera singer. The plate shown in the middle of the display is an example of Callie Hart’s work. Each piece would be hand painted, requiring a delicate hand and attention to detail. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]