KP/CK - Caroline and Jane Kenney

KP/CK

Series

Caroline and Jane Kenney

1914-1929

Kenney, Caroline
Kenney, Jane

Kenney, CarolineCaroline Kenney (1880-1952) was the sixth child of Horatio Nelson Kenney and Ann Wood, and younger sister of Annie Kenney. She too was a suffragette, and appears to have played a supporting role, providing a refuge for women 'on the run' or temporarily released from prison under the 'Cat and Mouse' Act at her Tower Cressy premises.

Like her older sisters, she began her working life as a child operative in the cotton mills. Subsequently she followed the example of her younger sister Jane and became a Montessori teacher. Caroline and Jane established their own Montessori school at Tower Cressy, Campden Hill, circa 1915. In 1916 they left England for the United States and were appointed joint teachers in charge of the newly established Lenox School, New York. They retired as joint principals in 1929, and after a period teaching in Philadelphia they settled in California.
Kenney, JaneJane (Jenny) Kenney (1884-1961) was the eighth children of Horatio Nelson Kenney and Ann Wood, and younger sister of Annie Kenney. She too was a suffragette, and appears to have played a supporting role, providing a refuge for women 'on the run' or temporarily released from prison under the 'Cat and Mouse' Act at her Tower Cressy premises.

Jane became a Montessori teacher. She began her teaching career in Accrington, then studied in Rome with Maria Montessori in 1914, and subsequently became Madame Montessori's appointed 'demonstrator' in England. She and her older sister Caroline established their own Montessori school at Tower Cressy, Campden Hill, circa 1915. In 1916 they left England for the United States and were appointed joint teachers in charge of the newly established Lenox School, New York. They retired as joint principals in 1929, and after a period teaching in Philadelphia they settled in California.

Consists of a single file [of items formerly in the possession of Jessie Kenney?]. The contents relate chiefly to Jane (Jenny) Kenney and to her career as a Montessori teacher, notably as joint principal, with her sister Caroline, of Lenox School, New York. Caroline (Kitty) Kenney's association with the School began at its inauguration 1916, when she was engaged as teacher in charge. In 1925 she became Principal in Charge, jointly with Jane Kenney. Jane was appointed teacher in charge in 1919. At the time of the sisters' resignation in 1929 the school had 170 students and 24 faculty. The students included Beatrice and Elizabeth Elphinstone who were, according to an MS annotation on p. 36 of The Lantern vol. 2, cousins "to [Queen Elizabeth] the Queen Mother".

The typescript copies of certain papers of Jane and Caroline attributed to Jessie Kenney may have been produced by her when she was writing her autobiography.

The Lantern, vol. 2, 1929. Published by the Senior Class of Lenox School, New York, listing staff and students of the school and containing literary and artistic works by students. The book is inscribed "Jessie Kenney". In correspondence with members of her family Jessie Kenney refers to having two books published by the School. This copy was among items that remained at Convent of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters [St Francis' Nursing Home], Braintree, where Jessie spent her final years and that were handed over to the Archives Department in June 1997.

One page halftone of photographs of the staff of Lenox School, identical to that facing p. 4 of The Lantern, vol. 2.

Ivory and silk bound notebook of 2pp with [autographs?] of Maria Montessori (dated Roma, 1914), Mario Montessori, and two others and containing, loose, a very faded photograph of a young woman, annotated on the verso [by Jessie Kenney?] "Jane before a Ducal Palace in Rome, Italy, 1914".

Printed card announcing the impending opening of the Montessori Children's House, Tower Cressy, Aubrey Road, Campden Hill, London W8, under the direction of Jane Kenney, n.d.

Printed card announcing the impending opening of a Montessori Day School at the Montessori Children's House, Tower Cressy, n.d. Printed card announcing that Jane Kenney was to give a series of addresses on 'The Modern Education of Little Children', under the auspices of the Montessori Educational Association, in the home of Mrs Alexander Graham Bell in Washington, n.d. The card indicates that at the time Jane Kenney was in charge of the Montessori Demonstration School' in Washington.

Two monochrome photographs, one, annotated in typescript [by Jessie Kenney?] "Photograph of Madame Montessori with my sister Jane Kenney in the distance. Mary, Kathleen, Betty and", shows a be-hatted Maria Montessori seated in a classroom observing activities. The other is annotated by Jane Kenney in MS "Madame Montessori, Roma 1914. I was somewhere in the room as I often demonstrated for her, as well as being a student. She appointed me to be her demonstrator in England, but the course had to be abandoned because of the War I. Later she appointed me to be her demonstrator for her American Courses, but I declined as I was established in New York. Also 'politics' were rife in the American movement. The telegram choosing me as her demonstrator above all others is in my 'effects'." [This telegram has not so far come to light].

Typescripts [copied by Jessie Kenney?] of resolutions of the Board of Trustees of Lenox School, New York, on the resignations of Jane and Caroline Kenney as joint Principals in Charge, 21/1/1929.

Typescript [copy by Jessie Kenney?] of address to the Misses Kenney by the faculty of Lenox School, on the occasion of their resignation, 24/1/1929.

Typescript copy [by Jessie Kenney?] of a tribute to the Misses Kenney by parents of past and present students of Lenox School on the occasion of their resignations, n.d., with manila envelope annotated in MS [by JK?] "The Kenneys of Shelderslow. Jane's School. Grand Testimonial of parents in New York City to Jane & Caroline Kenney on their work in their school".

Photographs of Caroline and Jane Kenney.