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Nightingale, Frances Nicolau, 1871-1948

 Person

Biography

Founder of Miss Nightingale's Classes, Miss Nightingale's School, and the Nightingale-Bamford School. Head of School, 1904-1939.

Frances Nicolau Nightingale was born September 20, 1871 in Savannah, Georgia to William and Ellen (Hazelhurst) Nightingale, a descendant of diplomat Rufus King and of Revolutionary War hero Major General Nathaniel Greene. Her father was a planter and had a rice plantation near Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Miss Nightingale moved north to New York, where she had relatives. She is listed in the 1904 Social Register (NY) under her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. George D.L. Harison (Elisabeth Nightingale). In 1906, Miss Nightingale began teaching the Bartlett children at the request of their mother. The next year, she taught eight girls. By 1918, Miss Nightingale had acquired a separate space for teaching, calling it Miss Nightingale's Classes.

In the spring of 1919, Miss Nightingale was introduced to Maya Stevens Bamford, and that fall, Miss Bamford joined Miss Nightingale's Classes as junior headmistress. The next year, two townhouses at 20-22 East 92nd Street were purchased and the school later became known as Miss Nightingale's School. In 1929, the townhouses were replaced with a new building and the school renamed the Nightingale-Bamford School. Miss Nightingale served as headmistress until her retirement in 1939.

Frances Nightingale passed away in Petersborough, New Hampshire on November 14, 1948.

See Nightingale-Bamford School magazine, Fall 1995, p. 29 for a feature article on Miss Nightingale.

Found in 65 Collections and/or Records:

Elizabeth Wakeman Clymer diploma. Signed by Maya Bamford and Frances Nightingale, 1931

 Item — Box: 01176
Identifier: 001 010 000 02 0003
Scope and Contents From the Series: General Academic Records and Ephemera is a catch-all for academics-related records that do not fall into more specific categories. Examples of records include donated report cards and diplomas, blank academic planners, and correspondence to students from New York City representatives regarding students' concern for homeless people.See other Academics Record Group (Record Group 01) categories for different types of academics records and related photographs. For student-created...
Dates: 1931

Escrow agreement between Frances N. Nightingale, Maya S. Bamford, Miss Nightingale's School, Inc., and Central Union Trust Company, 1927 Oct 31

 Item — Box: 05012
Identifier: 005 001 000 23 0001
Scope and Contents From the Record Group:

Records in the Administration Record Group are related to the administration of Nightingale-Bamford School, including Heads of School records, Board of Trustees records, accreditation records, school association records, Business Office records, including financial and facilities records, and school technology records.

Dates: 1927 Oct 31

Frances Fisher Collins '25 recollections of Miss Nightingale's School (photocopy), c. 1991 - 1992

 Item — Box: 04125
Identifier: 004 001 000 16 0057
Scope and Contents From the Record Group: The External Relations Record Group is comprised of records related to the Nightingale-Bamford School's communications and relations with outside groups, such as students' parents, alumnae, media and the general public. These include records from the Institutional Advancement office related to the Alumnae Association and fundraising, Parents Association records, and Communications office records including those relevant to the school's branding and image, such as school news publications,...
Dates: c. 1991 - 1992

Frances N. Nightingale stock certificate for fifty shares of Miss Nightingale's School, Inc. / The Nightingale-Bamford School, Inc. Accompanied by assignment separate from certificate, 1930

 Item — Box: 05013
Identifier: 005 002 000 16 0003
Scope and Contents From the Record Group:

Records in the Administration Record Group are related to the administration of Nightingale-Bamford School, including Heads of School records, Board of Trustees records, accreditation records, school association records, Business Office records, including financial and facilities records, and school technology records.

Dates: 1930

Frances Nightingale biography file, including memorial service announcement, obituary, and family history, 1948, 1996

 File — Box: 06001
Identifier: 006 001 000 02 0001
Scope and Contents From the Series: While the records surviving Miss Nightingale's tenure as head of school are not numerous, there are some key records that give a glimpse of her leadership style and intentions for the school. Records from Miss Nightingale's files are supplemented by documents and photographs that shed light on her background and school presence. Records include several early commencement speeches, minimal correspondence, compiled biographical information, and photographs of Miss Nightingale. Also of note...
Dates: 1948, 1996

Frances Nightingale correspondence relating to dispute between Bamford, Nightingale, and Robillard, 1947 - 1948

 File — Box: 06015
Identifier: 006 001 000 10 0001
Scope and Contents From the Series: While the records surviving Miss Nightingale's tenure as head of school are not numerous, there are some key records that give a glimpse of her leadership style and intentions for the school. Records from Miss Nightingale's files are supplemented by documents and photographs that shed light on her background and school presence. Records include several early commencement speeches, minimal correspondence, compiled biographical information, and photographs of Miss Nightingale. Also of note...
Dates: 1947 - 1948

Frances Nightingale correspondence relating to Virginia Gildersleeve giving commencement ceremony addresses, 1935 - 1943

 File — Box: 06009
Identifier: 006 001 000 05 0004
Scope and Contents From the Series: While the records surviving Miss Nightingale's tenure as head of school are not numerous, there are some key records that give a glimpse of her leadership style and intentions for the school. Records from Miss Nightingale's files are supplemented by documents and photographs that shed light on her background and school presence. Records include several early commencement speeches, minimal correspondence, compiled biographical information, and photographs of Miss Nightingale. Also of note...
Dates: 1935 - 1943

Frances Nightingale letters relating to search for head of boarding department, 1929 - 1931

 File — Box: 06001
Identifier: 006 001 000 05 0002
Scope and Contents From the Series: While the records surviving Miss Nightingale's tenure as head of school are not numerous, there are some key records that give a glimpse of her leadership style and intentions for the school. Records from Miss Nightingale's files are supplemented by documents and photographs that shed light on her background and school presence. Records include several early commencement speeches, minimal correspondence, compiled biographical information, and photographs of Miss Nightingale. Also of note...
Dates: 1929 - 1931

Frances Nightingale speech at St. James Parents Guild, 1938 Dec 12

 Item — Box: 06009
Identifier: 006 001 000 07 0007
Scope and Contents From the Series: While the records surviving Miss Nightingale's tenure as head of school are not numerous, there are some key records that give a glimpse of her leadership style and intentions for the school. Records from Miss Nightingale's files are supplemented by documents and photographs that shed light on her background and school presence. Records include several early commencement speeches, minimal correspondence, compiled biographical information, and photographs of Miss Nightingale. Also of note...
Dates: 1938 Dec 12

Handwritten convocation assembly speech, 1925 Oct 5

 Item — Box: 06001
Identifier: 006 001 000 07 0002
Scope and Contents From the Series: While the records surviving Miss Nightingale's tenure as head of school are not numerous, there are some key records that give a glimpse of her leadership style and intentions for the school. Records from Miss Nightingale's files are supplemented by documents and photographs that shed light on her background and school presence. Records include several early commencement speeches, minimal correspondence, compiled biographical information, and photographs of Miss Nightingale. Also of note...
Dates: 1925 Oct 5

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 63
Collection 2
 
Subject
correspondence 23
speeches (documents) 12
commencements 10
faculty (educators) and staff 9
financial records 9