Timeline of Linden Hall

1746

The Founding of Linden Hall

Linden Hall was founded in 1746 by the Moravian Church, a leader in the field of education, and among the first to establish schools for girls in the original 13 colonies.

Linden Hall School for Girls Front Sign on Main Street
a piece of Linden Hall embroidery from 1835

1776

A Legacy of Embroidery

Ornamental needlework instruction was taught at Linden Hall for over 100 years, beginning in the late 1700s. In our current collection, the earliest needlework is from 1776 and depicts a goat in satin stitch on a silk background.

1777

The American Revolution

During the Revolutionary War, Washington ordered the Brethren’s house, adjacent to Linden Hall, to be taken over as a military hospital. A diphtheria epidemic there caused many students to return home during the winter of 1777–78. Just four girls remained, continuing their education in the Sisters’ House.

The Castle at Linden Hall School for Girls
Eugene Frueauff, Former Headmaster of Linden Hall

1838

A New Name

Reverend Eugene Frueauff became Headmaster in 1838. He and his wife Agnes planted the linden trees, honoring his German heritage, and subsequently named the school Linden Hall.

1877

The Echo

The Linden Hall Echo is a student literary magazine that began in 1877 and continues today. The Echo is one of the oldest school journals in the country.

Linden Hall Echo Student Newspaper Front Cover
Mary Dixon Chapel

1883

The Mary Dixon Chapel

The Mary Dixon Chapel was dedicated by George W. Dixon in honor of his daughter, Mary Dixon, a young alumna. Architect Willis G. Hale of Philadelphia designed the limestone and sandstone building that has become a prominent sight in the community.

1925

The Equestrian Program

Headmaster Dr. Stengel brought the riding program to Linden Hall in 1925. The stables were located across Main Street until the new stables were built in their existing location on campus in 1981. The Bit and Spur Club, Linden Hall’s riding club, would sponsor various riding events, while the Vanguards was the advanced competition team.

Linden Hall Equestrian Rider Competing
An Illustration of Linden Hall's Junior College

1935

The Junior College

In 1935, Headmaster Dr. Stengel developed the Linden Hall Junior College, which was known for its pioneering secretarial program. In 1961, the Junior College was discontinued to focus on the Academy.

2013

The Haldeman Rock Collection

In 2013, a box of dirty rocks found in the Archives was restored and verified as the Samuel Haldeman Rock Collection, in Linden Hall’s possession since being donated in 1881 by Mrs. S.S. Haldeman, a Linden Hall alumna and wife of the 19th-century naturalist, Samuel Haldeman.

Linden Hall's Haldeman Rock Collection
girls with plane

2014

Soaring to New Heights

In keeping with the tradition of being a forerunner in the education of young women, Linden Hall introduced its Aviation program in 2014. This unique opportunity provides students with the knowledge, skills, and in-flight training to obtain their private pilot’s license while still in high school.