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Erskine School: Her Boston Place

Harvard Crimson: "Radcliffe and Erskine School are counted upon to supply twelve actresses..."


105 Beacon Street                         145 Beacon Street


135 Beacon Street                         129 Beacon Street


115 Beacon Street                         111 Beacon Street

From the 1941 school catalog:

"The Erskine graduate of today is prepared to meet the uncertainties of the years ahead with courage and confidence. She is secure in her ability to take care of herself financially should the necessity arise. Her academic training in the liberal arts enables her to take her place among cultured people anywhere, and the development of her social consciousness has fitted her for the serious responsibilities of citizenship.

To accomplish such results, Erskine has for many yearsa dapted its entire plan of education to the individual needs of alert young women. Each student elects courses suited to her personal inclinations, interests and abilities. There are no required courses. Guided by skillful teachers and with all of Boston's educational facilities to draw upon, a student's progress toward her chosen goal is rapid and sure.

Important, too, are the advantages of life in tlhe Erskine residences on Beacon Street among others equally intent on individualized programs of study and achievement. The atmosphere is that of a congenial family living graciously together in their own home, and provides a background of stability and charm which all thoughtful parents desire for their daughters.

We should be glad to tell you more of the Erskine plan if you wish. The attached return card will bring you details without obligation."

A Brief History (From www.bosarchitecture.com):

By 1925, 111 Beacon had become one of several buildings on Beacon Street occupied by Erskine School, operated by Miss Euphemia E. McClintock.

Euphemia McClintock had served as president of the College for Women in Columbia, South Carolina, until it merged with Chicora College in 1915. She moved to Boston, where her sister, Mary Law McClintock, operated Miss McClintock's School at 4 Arlington Street and (by 1922) at 135 Beacon. Euphemia McClintock probably first was a teacher in her sister's school, but by late 1923 had established her own institution, Erskine School, at 115 Beacon.

Mary Law McClintock died in January of 1925, and Euphemia McClintock appears to have inherited her sister's school. McClintock School soon ceased operation at 4 Arlington Street and 135 Beacon became Erskine School. At about the same time, Euphemia McClintock ceased leasing 115 Beacon (which became a private home again) and acquired 111 Beacon.

By 1927, Erskine School had dormitories and classrooms located at 111, 129, 135 Beacon, and 179 Beacon. Euphemia McClintock continued to serve as the school's director and to live at 129 Beacon.

She is shown as the owner of 111, 129, and 135 Beacon on the 1928 Bromley maps. 179 Beacon is shown as owned by Susan J. Sears (it had been the Sears residence in 1924).

By 1937, Erskine School occupied seven buildings: 105, 111, 115, 129, 135, and 145 Beacon, and 303 Berkeley Street (147 Beacon). Miss McClintock is shown as the owner of five of them -- 111, 129, 135, and 145 Beacon, and 303 Berkeley (147 Beacon) -- on the 1938 Bromley map. 105 Beacon is shown as being owned by Clarence Pond, and 115 Beacon is shown as being owned by Addie M. Greenman.

The Erskine School in Boston closed its doors in the spring of 1950 after the last graduating class.

In 1950, 111 Beacon was acquired by Joseph and Sylvia Butera for use as the Butera School of Fine Arts, which previously had been located at 240 Huntington Avenue.