The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-15
Veteran Principal LeaUeS
Scene of Busy Life Work
Mrs. Mary B. KnoWIton
Pioneer in Education
Here Resigns.

Mrs. KnoWltOn'S Building" be-
longs to someone else today, the
children in the neighborhood o.
public school No. IL are going to
say when they are told that Mrs.
Mary B. Knowlton, the principa.
that their mothers and fathers
knew thirty years ago will not re-
turn.
Mrs. Knowleton 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 prin-
cipalship takes effect today. Weary,
perhaps, and a little broken from a
long struggle to make cher build
ing among the foremost in the
city, she will be unable to watch
the children leave for summer va
cation for the last time.
But her removal from No. IL has
brought about a general movement
to acknowledge her accomplish
ments 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 achieve
ments, her leadership, understand
ing, kindness and foresight.
beginning her career as principal
almost a half century ago, when
children left school at the age Of
IA, 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 backing. She APP
pealed to the school board but be-
fore any vacation was taken. she set
up makeshift shop and domesti :
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
an early date.
The growth Of musical equipment
and education at No u is another
example of her industry and fore
sight. The school did not possess
single musical instrument When
she became principal. She imme-
diately organized a small club Of
willing mothers and raised enough
money to equip an orchestra by Civ
ing 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 fresh air rooms.
Special opportunity classes for re-
tarded children were opened there
many years ago.
Her reputation for ability to train
new teachers was recognized by
school authorities and many mex
per1enced teachers were placed ur-
der her supervision. Four of these
now are Indianapolis elementary
principals, Miss Olive Selby, School
No. rs, Mrs. Maude Moudv School
No SO, Miss Olive Funk, School Nc
a, and Mrs. Jeannette B. Knowles.
Schol No. SO. Many others are city
teachers.
The veteran principals efforts
were not forgotten. Five years ago
a Mary B. Knowlton Club was Or
ganized, composed of instructors
formerly associated with the prin-
cipal to renew acquaintance and
keep alive memories of their early
teacher.
Mrs. Knowlton Is a descendant 81
the old pioneer Bass family. early.
Indianapolis residents. She was
graduated from Shortridge HigI,
School and the indianapolis Nor
NAL.