Hellmuth Ladies' College


Hellmuth Ladies' College was a private college for women in London, Ontario. The college was founded by Reverend Isaac Hellmuth and was inaugurated by Prince Arthur. The college had no official connection with a church; but under the patronage of its founder and namesake, it was thoroughly Anglican. Princess Louise became its patroness on her visit in 1878. The college was devoted to the study of arts and sciences. It was located on Richmond Street North, just south of Windermere Road on the hill overlooking the Thames River. Hellmuth Ladies' College was complemented by Hellmuth College — for young men, founded 1865 — also of London, Ontario. Hellmuth Ladies' College closed sometime between 1899 and 1901. The properties were acquired by the Sisters of St. Joseph and transformed into Mount St. Joseph Orphanage.

Property

;The land
In 1867, Isaac Hellmuth purchased 150 acres with a hill overlooking the Thames River, and commissioned the design and construction of Hellmuth Ladies’ College.
;The main building
The main building was designed by Gundry & Langley, a Toronto-based architectural firm headed by Thomas Gundry and Henry Langley. Since the closing of the college in 1899, the building served as a convent and orphanage. It stood until 1976, when it was demolished. Mount St. Joseph Academy for girls continued in that location until 1985. As of 2011, the building and its grounds are the official home of , a retirement residence operated by Revera.
The main building took on a new role in 1899, when it was purchased by the Sisters of St. Joseph, a Roman Catholic order of sisters dedicated to caring for orphans and the elderly, educating young girls, and ministering to the poor. Under its new name, Mount St. Joseph Mother House, the building and property served as both an orphanage and a convent for the sisters.
;The chapel
Isaac Hellmuth erected a small chapel, just a short walk from the main building, and named it St. Anne's Chapel, in honor of the then Lady Principal, Anne Mills.
;Norwood House
Residence of Bishop Hellmuth.

Diplomas, certificates, medals

Hellmuth Ladies' College conferred diplomas, certificates of standing, and medals. Silver medals were awarded for general proficiency; silver and gold medals were awarded for proficiency in special subjects, including divinity, mathematics, science, and languages.

Administration and selected faculty

;Principals
; Lady Principals
;Lady Superintendents
;Literary Department
;Academic subjects
;Music Department
;Art Department
;Elocution Department
  • Rev. Edward Noble English, M.A. – Director
  • 1889–1894: Elizabeth Alberta Oakley, B.L., 1903 marriage to Walter E. Chrysler
;Business Department
;Etiquette Department, Physical Culture, Hygiene, etc.
;Ladies' Drill, Department
;Miscellaneous faculty
  1. "Our Summer In The Valley of the Moon," successive issues, beginning May 28, 1881;
  2. "The Lennox Library," April 2, 1881
  3. "Unconscious Plagiarisms," June 18, 1881

    Student organizations

Chi Omega, a U.S. based sorority, chartered its Phi chapter at Hellmuth Ladies' College in 1899. Its one-year presence at Hellmuth stands as Chi Omega's only international expansion in the sorority's years of existence. and Hellmuth's only Greek sorority.