An Early Kindergarten in Sandusky

The young students of a Kindergarten class which was held at Grace Episcopal Church are posed for a picture in front of the church. While we do not know the exact date of the photograph, it is likely that it was taken sometime between 1900 and 1920. The Sandusky Star Journal reported that a private Kindergarten conducted by the Misses Grace Devine and Viola Link was to open at the parish house of Grace Church on September 10, 1916. In 1925, Miss Geraldine Wagar taught Kindergarten at the Grace Parish House, for children aged three to five years. Songs, games and other educational activities were featured for the youngsters between the morning hours of 9 and 11 a.m. during weekdays.

The word Kindergarten means “Children’s Garden” in German, and refers to the education of a child before the beginning of education in a more formal setting. To read more about Kindergartens in Sandusky, see Article 43 in Volume II of From the Widow's Walk, by Helen Hansen and Virginia Steinemann.