“Erected by the City of Boston. Dedicated to the education of girls. Anno Dom. 1912.” This inscription marked the Dearborn Middle School, which originally began as the High School of Practical Arts. This institution aimed to equip girls with the skills necessary for both home and business life, offering courses in cooking, laundry, sewing, nursing, and home economics, alongside academic subjects. Following its closure, the building housed Girls’ High School—the first high school for girls in Boston, established in 1852. Initially located downtown, the school moved to the South End in 1870, and then to 35 Greenville St. in 1954. The present library is dedicated to Julia Buck (1869-1928), Class of 1887, who served as the school’s secretary from 1908-1928. She left a small legacy to the school upon her death in 1928. The Dearborn Middle School closed in 2014 and was demolished in 2015. The Dearborn STEM Academy, which opened at the same location in 2018, continues the legacy of education on this historic site. Following its closure, the building housed Girls’ High School—the first high school for girls in Boston, established in 1852. Initially located downtown, the school moved to the South End in 1870, and then to 35 Greenville St. in 1954. The present library is dedicated to Julia Buck, Class of 1887, who served as the school’s secretary from 1908-1928. She left a small legacy to the school upon her death in 1928. The Dearborn Middle School closed in 2014 and was demolished in 2015. The Dearborn STEM Academy, which opened at the same location in 2018, continues the legacy of education on this historic site.
