Founders – Sarah Wilson

Founder’s Day originated on Oct. 9, 1922 as a celebration of the College’s two founders and its most generous donor.

The idea for Wilson College came about in the summer of 1867. It began with Dr. Tryon Edwards, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown. Edwards visited the study of Rev. James W. Wightman, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Greencastle, to ask for Wightman’s help in organizing a female seminary school in Chambersburg.  To Edwards’ astonishment, Wightman refused. “I do not believe in the female education of women,” he explained. Seminaries of the time only taught women manners and reinforced domesticity. Instead, Wightman argued, why not create a first-class college for women, comparable to the colleges for young men? Edwards readily agreed, and the two men set up finding a suitable space and sufficient funds to establish their new women’s college.

One of ten children born to a farming family, Sarah Wilson inherited a great deal of wealth following the deaths of her father and brothers.  Though Miss Wilson had no interest in participating in the development of the College, she agreed to give $20,000 more on the condition that the new College was named as a memorial to herself and her family.

The clergymen took all of the donated money and purchased Col. Alexander McClure’s home (Norland Hall) and surrounding property to establish Wilson College.

Each year, students commemorated the College’s origins with a picnic and speeches at Rocky Springs Church, which Sarah Wilson and her family attended, where they also paid a visit to “Aunt Sarah’s” grave.