Barstow School - Weathercock Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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It was at this time, largely due to the school's improved location and better facilities, that Barstow was able to expand its scope to include many extra activities and traditions. Thanks to the building of a gymnasium and the acquiring of land to be used for outdoor activities, sports assumed importance in Barstow's curriculum. It was then that Field Day was introduced. At this time also, the Halloween Play Contest, the Pretenders, and the Weathercock came into being. Although the school still lacked art and music departments, a glee club was organized and classes in aft and crafts were begun. Other important additions to the school were a dormitory for out- of-town students and a kindergarten. The next twent -five ears roved to be a time of rowth for both the school itself and the V V . . g . . . . . raduates of the school, who were doin outstandm work in fine colle es. The disci line of g . . . 3 3. . . 3 P . Barstow was strict and its ideals were high. Upon retiring, Miss Barstow left her name and high standards to a new school which was to be an incorporated, non-profit institution, headed by a board of trustees. Miss Witham remained as principal for three years so that no break would occur in the policies or functions of Barstow. By the fall of 1924, a new and larger school was completed at Fiftieth Street and Cherry, the plan containing a classroom building, a dormitory, and a gymnasium. The school had so grown in prestige that at the dedication of the new buildings were honorary trustees of Barstow from Smith, Wellesley, and Radcliffe colleges. The school at Fiftieth and Cherry rapidly developed through the years, adding many more curricular and extra-curricular activities. Following the principalship of Miss Witham, came Miss Kendig and then Miss Turner. In 1950 the trustees were fortunate in acquiring the services of Mr. Richard H. Sears as headmaster, who brought to Barstow many educational opportunities as well as a new understanding and enthusiasm for expansion. In 1954, under his leadership, the Board of Trustees purchased the property of the late Mrs. Edwin V. Shields at 5110 Cherry, to be used for several lower school classes and as an athletic field by the older girls. In late May of 1959, the latest and biggest step toward securing land for the school was made when a large tract of land was purchased at One Hundred and Fifteenth and State Line, to be the site of the newest and best Barstow School. It is hoped that the new buildings will be completed by 1961, thus beginning a new era in Barstow's history of high standards and ideals.

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SCHOOL HISTORY Seventy-six years ago when Ada Brann and Mary Louise Barstow, two enterprising young Wellesley graduates, came to Kansas City to found an institution of learning, little did they know that the school they established was to flourish into the Barstow of today whose name is known and respected. As the site for their school, Miss Brann and Miss Barstow chose a location one block west of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, and there it remained for sixteen years, knowing three dif- ferent locations on this same block. During this time the school was rather limited in its activi- ties because of a lack of a campus for outdoor sports. At this time there were no regular art and music departments and the clubs such as Pretenders and Glee Club, which now play such an im- portant part in the life of Barstow, had not yet come into being. Despite these deficiencies the school prospered, and before long a certificate from Miss Brann could be used by the possessor for entrance into almost any college. However, with Miss Brann's striving to improve the school and uphold its fine reputation, also came a failing in her health, which forced her to retire and thus end the first era in Barstow's history. Advised by her good friend, Colonel William Rockhill Nelson, Miss Barstow remained as principal and owner of the school and moved the school to a more favorable location on Westport Avenue. The new schoolhouse had as its first associate principal Miss Caro Taylor, who, upon her marriage, was succeeded by Rose Adelaide Witham, a graduate of Smith College. Miss Wit- ham's coming was a very fortunate event for Barstow, for she not only carried on the school's ideals and policies but also introduced many worthwhile ideas.

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