VOLOGDA WOMEN’S MARIINSKY GYMNASIUM IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY: THE SPECIFICS OF FOUNDATION AND ACTIVITY

Abstract

The article presents a brief history covering foundation and development of female gymnasiums in Russia in the XIX century and opening the main secondary educational institution for girls in Vologda Region. The relevance of the study is justified by the fact that this educational institution was one of the first of its kind in the Russian Empire. The purpose of the article is to study the specifics of the foundation process of Vologda Women’s Mariinsky Gymnasium in comparison with similar institutions in other governorates and to analyze its activities in the early years of its functioning. The scientific novelty of the study is to identify the chronological stages of the history of Vologda Gymnasium and the role of this educational institution in the further development of education in Vologda. Based on archival information, the article gives the analysis of female students’ composition by their birth status during the second half of the XIX century. These data demonstrate that until the 1870s the proclaimed principle of estates equality in education in the gymnasium was not observed. However, after 1872, the term of study was no longer 6, but 7 years. The 1st grade was divided into two departments, which gave the opportunity for even students with average knowledge to enter the gymnasium. This innovation ensured the estates equality of education in Vologda Women’s Mariinsky Gymnasium. The article analyzes as well the list of academic subjects taught and the Rules of admission to the educational institution prior to the educational reform of 1864 (according to the Memorandum Book as of 1862, 1863) and after it (according to the Memorandum Book as of 1873). Some of the disciplines changed their name to broader ones, which indicates a more extensive material covered by the discipline. For example, grammar and language arts were added to the Russian language, geometry – to mathematics. Vologda Women’s Gymnasium functioned 60 years and played an important role in the development of women’s education in the Vologda Region. Now Vologda Pedagogical College can be considered its original legal successor.