St Catherine Academy - Cathedeme Yearbook (Newport, RI)

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gqcakmy jlglsfory Saint Catherine Academy was designed by Richard Mor- ris Hunt about 1887. Hunt is also the designer of the Breakers and several of the other estates in Newport. Originally, the land the Academy is situated on belonged to Charles H. Rus- sel. ln the spring of the late 188O's, William Osgood of New York purchased a few acres of land from the Russel heirs. Mr. Osgood commenced the erection of a beautiful residence cal- led Osgood Villa. The edifice is of Romanesque design, constructed, of lndian lime stone for the perpendicular walls, red Spanish curved tile for the roof and tile for the piazza floors. The main entrance opened into a grand hall that was furnished in antique oak and paneled wainscot six feet high around .on all CATHERINE L. KERNOCHAN sides, while larger oak beams formed panels on the ceiling. This grand hall is now used for assemblies and weekly Mass. A grand stairway, now the first floor locker room, led to the third floor. This was also illuminated by a beautiful stained glass window and was furnished in oak. The drawing room, dining room, billiard room, and salon all connected with the grand hall by sliding doors. The dining room, now a junior homeroom, was furnished in quarter oak and has a large octagonal bay window on the south. The butler's pantry was on the north side of the room and was fitted up in cherry. The drawing room was furnished in white and gold, the billiard room in butternut, both of which are now refinished and serve as senior homerooms. The salon still grandmother of Herbert C. Pell retains its mahogany walls and is used by the school for a library. On the second floor were five large chambers. The second floor locker room is where the continuation of the staircase was. The rest of the second floor contains the activity of four classrooms. These are a typing room, a junior homeroom, and two sophomore homerooms. The principa1's office is located directly across from' the locker room. The third floor was divided into twelve servants' rooms. This floor now contains two large freshman homerooms and three smaller Chemistry, Speech, and Biology Laboratories. Our basement cafeteria in the building's earlier years served as the kitchen, laundry, drying room, ser- vants' dining room, store room, and coal cellar. After Mr. Osgood sold the Villa it was only used as a summer residence, until 1928, when Herbert Clai- borne Pell, then United States' minister to Portugal, purchased the estate and made his winter residence there. The Pells occupied the Villa until March of 1940, when the estate was given to the Most Reverend Francis P, Keough, D,D, , bishop of Providence. It was then converted into an all-girls Academy. Although no stipulations were attached to the donation, the Academy was named after Saint Catherine of Sienna and Mr. Pell's mother and grandmother. 5

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QQ Qeofcafzbn For the past 16 years she has had a keen sympathy with the activities of the girls at St. Catherine's. Through her leadership she has extended the privilege of learning to the many who have passed through her doors. She is one who understands our duties and obligations and who has nurtured our immortal souls. Sister Margaret Regina has earned our confidence, love, and admiration. Who can forget our journey through Julius Caesar, her favorite expressions positive- 1y and my dear and the loving spirit of homeroom six? The members of the class of 1969 extend our deepest and warmest apprecia- tion to her and, in token of our esteem, dedicate to Sister the 1969 CATHEDEME,

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