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- The Indianapolis Times, Indiana, Friday, 15 June 1928
Veteran Principal Leaves Scene of Busy Life Work
Mrs. Mary B. Knowlton Pioneer in Education Here Resigns
?Mrs. Knowlton?s Building? belongs to someone else today, the children in the neighborhood of public school No. 12 are going to say when they are told that Mrs. Mary B. Knowlton, the principal that their mothers and fathers knew thirty years ago will not return.
Mrs. Knowlton had become such a familiar figure in the life around S. West St. that children thought she owned the building and referred to it as ?Mrs. Knowlton?s school.?
Her resignation from the principalship takes effect today. Weary, perhaps, and a little broken from a long struggle to make ?her building? among the foremost in the city, she will be unable to watch the children leave for summer vacation for the last time.
But her removal from No. 12 has brought about a general movement to acknowledge her accomplishments in a building which formerly was one of the poorest equipped and supported in the city. Former friends, patrons, pupils, subordinate teachers and school authorities are recalling her remarkable achievements, her leadership, understanding, kindness and foresight.
Beginning her career as principal almost a half century ago, when children left school at the age of 14, Mrs. Knowlton saw the need of some sort of industrial education to help them earn a living. The school itself had no equipment and little home financial baking. She appealed to the school board but before any vacation was taken, she set up makeshift shop and domestic science equipment, using old stoves, borrowed tools, sewing machines and kitchen utensils.
There was little room in the building, and Mrs. Knowlton gave up her office for a cooking room and moved her desk into a clothes closet. Her school was one of the first to have a print shop and through her efforts a community branch library was established at and early date.
The growth of musical equipment and education a No. 12 is another example of her industry and foresight. The school died not possess a single musical instrument when she became principal. She immediately organized a small club of willing mothers and raised enough money to equip an orchestra by giving entertainments and small sales.
Mrs. Knowlton was one of the city?s pioneers for special treatment for underweight children, hot lunches, rest periods, fresh air classes. Her building was among the first to have air rooms. Special opportunity classed for retarded children were opened there many years ago.
Her reputation for ability to train new teachers was recognized by school authorities and many inexperienced teachers were placed under her supervision. Four of these now are Indianapolis elementary principals, Miss Olive Selby, School No. 75, Mrs. Maude Moudy, School No. 58, Miss Olive Funk, School No. 43, and Mrs. Jeanette B. Knowles, School No. 53. Many others are city teachers.
The veteran principal?s efforts were not forgotten. Five years ago a Mary B. Knowlton Club was organized, composed of instructors formerly associated with the principal to renew acquaintances and keep alive memories of their early teacher.
Mrs. Knowlton is a descendant of the old pioneer Bass family, early Indianapolis residents. She was graduated from Shortridge High School and the Indianapolis Normal.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1857 - 1928 (71 years)
d. 18 Feb 1895, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana