The Mrs. Donald McLean Scholarship in American History
The New York City Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Resolution established a scholarship fund awarded annually to an ambitious scholar eager to pursue a career in the field of American History at Barnard College.
Establishing the McLean Scholarship
In 1897, Mrs. Donald McLean, Regent of the New York City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced that the chapter had founded a scholarship to be awarded by competitive examination to any woman student desiring to fit herself for a teacher or lecturer in American history. The amount of the scholarship was set at $150 a year for two years, and the course of study was to be pursued at Barnard College or Columbia University.
Initially, young women took an exam to qualify for the scholarship. In its inaugural year, the scholarship paid for tuition fees, books and papers. The applicants devoted their summer to study, reading the four volumes of Green's History of the English People, The Making of the Nation and A Short History of the English Colonies in America. Right before the first exam took place, the New York Tribute reported, "There were over twenty who announced their intention of joining the competition, but when a list of books on which they were to prepare themselves was announced they dropped out in large numbers. Finally the list thinned out to six, but at the last moment three sent their regrets. One was ill, one had trouble with the eyes from overstudy, and something else delayed a third."
A representative of the Chapter declared:
We consider this the greatest thing ever yet done by the Daughters of the American Revolution n any State. It demonstrates the fact that we are not merely a social organization, given exclusively to sentiment, but are practical. We shall place one of our members on a self-supporting basis every alternate year, besides giving a great stimulus to the study of American history, not along in our own hands, but in many directions.
The first scholarship was awarded to Miss Louis Winthrop Keouse. She had been a teacher for years, but had a difficult time securing a position as she did not have a college degree.
Among the fundraising events held throughout the years to benefit the scholarship was the 1901 "Pageant of History", where members modeled historic costumes, parlor lectures held in members' homes, and cocktail parties like the one the New York City Chapter continues to hold today.
In 1897, Mrs. Donald McLean, Regent of the New York City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced that the chapter had founded a scholarship to be awarded by competitive examination to any woman student desiring to fit herself for a teacher or lecturer in American history. The amount of the scholarship was set at $150 a year for two years, and the course of study was to be pursued at Barnard College or Columbia University.
Initially, young women took an exam to qualify for the scholarship. In its inaugural year, the scholarship paid for tuition fees, books and papers. The applicants devoted their summer to study, reading the four volumes of Green's History of the English People, The Making of the Nation and A Short History of the English Colonies in America. Right before the first exam took place, the New York Tribute reported, "There were over twenty who announced their intention of joining the competition, but when a list of books on which they were to prepare themselves was announced they dropped out in large numbers. Finally the list thinned out to six, but at the last moment three sent their regrets. One was ill, one had trouble with the eyes from overstudy, and something else delayed a third."
A representative of the Chapter declared:
We consider this the greatest thing ever yet done by the Daughters of the American Revolution n any State. It demonstrates the fact that we are not merely a social organization, given exclusively to sentiment, but are practical. We shall place one of our members on a self-supporting basis every alternate year, besides giving a great stimulus to the study of American history, not along in our own hands, but in many directions.
The first scholarship was awarded to Miss Louis Winthrop Keouse. She had been a teacher for years, but had a difficult time securing a position as she did not have a college degree.
Among the fundraising events held throughout the years to benefit the scholarship was the 1901 "Pageant of History", where members modeled historic costumes, parlor lectures held in members' homes, and cocktail parties like the one the New York City Chapter continues to hold today.
The McLean Scholarship Today
Today the McLean Scholarship is held and managed by Barnard College. The Scholarship recipient is selected by Barnard College based on the original requirements set forth by Mrs. McLean: a young woman dedicated to the study of American history.
The New York City Chapter continues to support the scholarship, with a long-term goal of establishing it as a separately endowed scholarship, which will enable funding the study of American history students long into the future.
Today the McLean Scholarship is held and managed by Barnard College. The Scholarship recipient is selected by Barnard College based on the original requirements set forth by Mrs. McLean: a young woman dedicated to the study of American history.
The New York City Chapter continues to support the scholarship, with a long-term goal of establishing it as a separately endowed scholarship, which will enable funding the study of American history students long into the future.