This Is Skidmore: Curator Wendy Anthony
Most Skidmore students know the name Lucy Scribner, but not many find as deep a connection to the founder of the Young Women’s Industrial Club of Saratoga Springs—eventually evolving into Skidmore College—as Special Collections Curator Wendy Anthony. Through her work at Skidmore, Anthony travels back in time discovering the interesting roots of the college.
Scribner encouraged a well-rounded education, including time for physical activity, which was not common for women in that era, Anthony said. Coursework included typewriting, bookkeeping, sewing and music. Skidmore has come a long way since then: welcoming men to campus, introducing new courses and opportunities, and even moving to a new location in Saratoga Springs.
Skidmore’s Special Collections contain an interesting account of the college’s history, preserved through artifacts and documents, as well as a rare-book collection with its own unique past. It continues to grow inside Skidmore’s library, named for founder Lucy Scribner.
