Reframing and Recontextualizing Maria Montessori’s 1915 California Visit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/jomr.v9i2.21042Keywords:
Maria Montessori, Montessori Method of education, Pana-Pacific International Exposition (San Francisco), Panama-California Exposition (San Diego), Adelia Mcalpin Pyle, Helen ParkhurstAbstract
Maria Montessori’s visit to California in 1915—her second visit to the United States—coincided with multiple events in the region: San Francisco’s Panama–Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), San Diego’s Panama–California Exposition (PCE), and the National Education Association of the United States (NEA) annual meeting in Oakland. Her visit also came at a time when the American Montessori movement was splintering, and the academic elite increasingly criticized her educational model. These circumstances made Montessori’s visit to California a potentially valuable opportunity to rekindle interest in Montessori education across the United States. Discussions of Montessori’s visit in 1915 have been framed around her training course and demonstration school at the PPIE. Based on information from primary sources (e.g., newspapers and archival materials), some of which have been overlooked, this article asserts that her visit to California had broader implications. While her eight months in California did have a positive impact on the growth of the Montessori movement, Montessori’s engagement with mainstream education had limited impact and it gave way to waning interest in Montessori education in the United States.
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Newspaper Articles Note: This list includes newspaper articles with unknown authorship. They have been assigned an alphanumeric identifier, based on the publication name, which have been referenced in-text.
Glendale Evening News (GEN)
GEN1. Exposition notes. (1915, May 27). https://archive.org/details/c100_2012_019/page/n13/mode/2up
L’Italia (ITA)
ITA1. All’esposizione fu iniziato ieri il corso educativo della Dottoressa Montessori. (1915, August 5). 4. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066408/1915-08-05/ed-1/seq-4
ITA2. Il congresso Montessori a Oakland: Il metodo educativo della Dr. Montessori discusso ed esaltato dagli insegnanti Americani. (1915, August 30). 4. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19150830.2.35
ITA3. La D.ssa Montessori nella nostra città. (1915, April 26). 5. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19150426.2.35
ITA4. La Dr. Montessori a San Francisco: L’illustre pedagogista iniziera’ oggi il corso delle sue lezioni all’esposizione. (1915, August 2). 4. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19150802.2.37
ITA5. Maria Montessori a New York: Essa rimarrà in America 4 mesi e verrà direttamente in California. (1915, April 21). L’Italia, 1. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19150421.2.3
ITA6. Maria Montessori a San Francisco. (1915, April 25). 4. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19150425.2.36
ITA7. Maria Montessori festeggiata a Los Angeles. (1915, May 24). 8. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19150524.2.48
ITA8. La partenza di Maria Montessori. (1915, December 3). 4. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=ITA19151203.2.37
ITA9. La prima lezione della Montessori alle maestre. (1915, August 6). 4. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066408/1915-08-06/ed-1/seq-4
ITA10. La scuola Montessori. (1915, August 6). 4. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066408/1915-08-06/ed-1/seq-4
Los Angeles Express (LAE)
LAE1. Addresses teachers. (1915, July 13). 8. https:// www.newspapers.com/image/608012921
LAE2. Dr. Montessori reaches L.A. (1915, April 30). 8. https://www.newspapers.com/image/608093561
LAE3. Dr. Montessori to address U.S.C. body. (1915, May 20). 7. https://www.newspapers.com/image/608014747
LAE4. Dr. Montessori to talk. (1915, May 25). 6. https://www.newspapers.com/image/608016084
LAE5. Pasadena women to honor Dr. Montessori. (1915, May 4). 2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/608009381
Los Angeles Herald (LAH)
LAH1. Americans are given praise by educator. (1915, April 30). 1. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150430.2.162
LAH2. Child educator to be greeted by all L.A. (1915, April 27). 20. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150427.2.453
LAH3. Dr. Montessori to open class here. (1915, May 25). 13. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150525.2.460
LAH4. Dr. Montessori to speak at U. of S.C. (1915, May 20). 1. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150520.2.314
LAH5. Mme. Montessori invited. (1915 March 4). 1. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150304.2.232
LAH6. Mme. Montessori to teach in Calif. (1915, April 20). 7. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150420.2.77
LAH7. Montessori ends her work in L.A. (1915, June 24). 5. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150624.2.341
LAH8. Montessori holds first class here. (1915, May 10). 1. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LAH19150510.2.224
Los Angeles Record (LAR)
LAR1. Educator to San Diego. (1915, March 23). 8. https://www.newspapers.com/image/678145164
LAR2. Montessori, educator, is due tomorrow. (1915, April 27). 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/678145703
Los Angeles Times (LAT)
LAT1. The city and environs: Events briefly told; new college society. (1915, May 21). I–10. https://www.proquest.com/docview/160235612
LAT2. Dr. Montessori coming: Noted educator to hold her third international training school in this city in May. (1915a, March 9). I–10. https://www.proquest.com/docview/160150196
LAT3. Dr. Montessori coming. (1915b, March 14). I–12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380296841
LAT4. Expected today. (1915, April 28). II–8. https:// www.newspapers.com/image/380595861
LAT5. Girls may rue war husbands; heroes in trenches may not be fireside dears; day to come, says Britisher, when women repent; Pasadena visitor said last goodby to father. (1915, May 10). II–6. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380511173
LAT6. Montessori lectures. (1915, May 25). II–1. https://www.proquest.com/docview/160180902
LAT7. Noted educator at U.S.C.: Mme. Montessori will address Scholarship Society and persons prominent in school circles. (1915, May 21). II–3. https://www.proquest.com/docview/160198409
LAT8. Teaching plans of Montessori; goes to San Diego to talk over arrangements at the fair. (1915, May 3). II–6. https://www.proquest.com/ docview/160166572 LAT9. Women’s work, women’s clubs. (1915, May 14). II–6. https://www.newspapers.com/image/380512529
New York Times (NYT)
NYT1. Carnival days make Rome gay. (1914, February 22). C2. https://www.proquest.com/hnpnewyorktimes/docview/97575856
NYT2. Dr. Maria Montessori at exposition. (1915, July 22). 18. https://www.proquest.com/docview/97736222
NYT3. Mme. Montessori at Exposition. (1914, August 3). 8. https://www.proquest.com/hnpnewyorktimes/docview/97537224
New York Tribune (NYTrib)
NYTrib1. Dr. Montessori arrives: Italian educator to demonstrate methods on coast. (1915, April 20). 14. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1915-04-20/ed-1/seq-14
NYTrib2. Spain recalls Montessori: Has $75,000 offer to install system, she sends word. (1915, December 18). 5. https://www.newspapers.com/image/468971551
Oregon Daily Journal (ODJ)
ODJ1. Dr. Montessori is not to come here. (1915, December 1). 9. https://www.newspapers.com/image/78374929
ODJ2. Famous educator will soon come to this coast: Effort being made to secure Dr. Montessori for Portland. (1915, April 25). 7. https://www.newspapers.com/image/78480363
Sacramento Star (SS) SS1. Montessori grieved. (1915, December 6). 3. https://www.newspapers.com/image/607481806
Sacramento Union (SU)
SU1. Educators gather at Bay for international session. (1915, August 15). 8. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU19150815.2.84
San Diego Evening Tribune (SDET)
SDET1. City schools are praised. (1915, May 4). 1.
SDET2. Dr. Montessori gives lecture. (1915, July 2). 10.
SDET3. Dr. Montessori will lecture for adults. (1915, July 3). 8.
SDET4. Invitation accepted by Madame Montessori. (1915, March 22). 6.
SDET5. Italian woman speaks Monday. (1915, July 9). 9.
SDET6. Mme. Montessori here to consider school. (1915, May 3). 6, 7.
SDET7. Montessori class at normal ends. (1915, August 11). 8.
SDET8. Montessori to teach 25 San Diego children. (1915, June 26). 4.
SDET9. Summer school to open Monday. (1915, June 30). 10.
SDET10. Tomorrow at the exposition; education day. (1915, July 10). 9.
San Diego Union (SDU)
SDU1. Dr. Montessori heard by 400 pupils, tutors. (1915, July 20). 9.
SDU2. Dr. Montessori speaks at fair; keep child’s mind free, hearers told. (1915, July 13). 1, 4.
SDU3. Gleaned on prado and isthmus. (1915, May 2). 10.
SDU4. Lecture course register open. (1915, July 6). 5.
SDU5. Montessori class planned, $1000 voted for building; founder of system sees fair. (1915, May 3). 1, 3.
SDU6. Montessori method to be shown at fair. (1916, June 3). 5. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDDU19160603.2.80
SDU7. Normalites hear Italian educator. (1915, July 2). 6.
San Francisco Call and Post (SFCP)
SFCP1. Chinese girl, protegee of Mrs. Gould, to teach Montessori in Orient. (1915, August 28). 4. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19150828.2.105
SFCP2. Dr. Montessori women’s guest at Jewel City. (1915, April 26). 8. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19150426.2.90
SFCP3. Mme. Montessori to be fair guest. (1915, April 24). 11. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19150424.2.174
SFCP4. Montessori child education method is opened at exposition today; kiddies trained at fair under new system. (1915, August 2). 1. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19150802.2.103
SFCP5. Mrs. Gould and her sister, Mrs. Wong, to teach in China; rail magnate’s wife to introduce Montessori system in the Orient. (1915, November 1). 3. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19151101.2.31
SFCP6. Mrs. Gould sails tomorrow to begin life work in China; sisters, long separated, now plan to devote years to Oriental race. (1915, November 5). 5. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19151105.2.55
San Francisco Chronicle (SFC)
SFC1. Dr. Montessori will give twelve lectures: Going to Wisconsin after her work at exposition. (1915, October 19). 5. https://www.proquest.com/docview/576515480
SFC2. Education by suggestion will be aim of Montessori class at fair: Individuality of the child will be developed by famous teacher. (1915, August 5). 11. https://www.proquest.com/docview/574390245
SFC3. First Montessori lecture. (1915, August 6). 5. https://www.proquest.com/docview/574389001
SFC4. Four Montessori schools to start. (1915, May 1). 1. https://www.proquest.com/docview/574338139
SFC5. Great educator here for visit. (1915, April 26). 4. https://www.proquest.com/docview/576476922
SFC6. Mme. Montessori to arrive here today. (1915, April 25). 33. https://www.proquest.com/docview/366160776
SFC7. Montessori classes to open at exposition. (1915, July 30). 11. https://www.proquest.com/docview/574353624
San Francisco Examiner (SFE)
SFE1. Dr. Montessori due here on Sunday next. (1915, July 30). 9. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2132790517
Stevens Point Journal (SPJ)
SPJ1. Dr. Montessori accepts Stevens Point invitation. (1915, October 9). 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/250412314
SPJ2. Dr. Montessori will teach in Stevens Point? (1915, October 6). 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/250412055
SPJ3. Going to California: Miss Helen Parkhurst of normal to assist Dr. Montessori. (1915, May 26). 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/250573464
SPJ4. Madam Montessori returning to Italy: Announcement of the cancelling of Madam Montessori’s engagement made by local bureau. (1915, December 8). 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/250416241
SPJ5. Montessori to teach: Famous woman educator will give course at normal. (1915, October 28). 2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/250413686
The Sun (NYSun)
NYSun1. Dr. Maria Montessori here: Teacher of “sense system” to instruct in California. (1915, April 20). 3. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1915-04-20/ed-1/seq-3
Washington Evening Star (WES)
WES1. Go to greet Dr. Montessori: Capital educators will welcome teacher back to United States. (1915, April 20). 20. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1915-04-20/ed-1/seq-20
WES2. To lecture at G.W.U.: Montessori method to be topic of Dr. Harriet E. Hunt. (1915, February 9). 7. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1915-02-09/ed-1/seq-7
Whittier News (WN)
WN1. Attend address. (1915, May 21). 3. https://www.newspapers.com/image/684728148
WN2. Dr. Montessori explains her system: Mind development for child is keynote; local people in audience. (1915, May 22). 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/683610941
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