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The early 19th century saw much educational reform, including increased opportunities for women who wanted an education beyond what they could learn at their town's common school. Women were called upon to educate a rising generation of new citizens as mothers and teachers, and with the industrial revolution came new jobs for young women outside of the confines of the home. Academies for young women sprouted up in towns all over New England, including the one Mary Lyon founded in Holyoke. Since students at the Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary were to be boarders- a relatively new experience for females- emphasis was placed upon creating a family-style environment. The school proved quite successful in its design for permanency, since it still exists today as Mt. Holyoke College.

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