312 ELIZABETH GARY AGASSIZ 



building in the rear of Fay House on Mason Street. Mrs. 

 Hemenway was well known in Boston for her philanthropic 

 interests, practically all of which had one definite and spe- 

 cific aim — the cultivation among girls of the pursuits and 

 powers that tend to the making of better homes; her benefi- 

 cence was therefore directed to the encouragement of in- 

 dustrial and physical training as a part of education. The 

 fact that her husband had given the Hemenway Gymna- 

 sium to Harvard University doubtless suggested to her the 

 plan that she proposed in the following letter. 



TO MRS. LOUIS AGASSIZ 



Boston, December 20, 1896 

 Dear Mrs. Agassiz: In making a visit to Rad- 

 cliffe lately I was struck with the inadequacy of the 

 gymnasium, and in looking across the street and see- 

 ing w^hat friends had done to make Harvard what it 

 is, I felt that we were not showing the same apprecia- 

 tion of our women ttat had been so freely bestowed 

 on the boys. 



I do not know what plans you have for a gymnasium 

 or for the future of Radcliffe, but I am sure you have 

 an immediate want for a larger building, and I 

 should like to give, if my means permit, a permanent 

 gymnasium to Radcliffe and have the pleasure of see- 

 ing it used and enjoyed soon — that is, if your plans 

 are suflSciently matured as to the College's future to 

 allow of its being rightly placed. Will you please 

 mention this to no one, but if things open toward the 

 building of it, I shall be ready to begin at any time. As 



