The Enduring Legacy of the Eliot School
By Kane DiMasso-Scott
In 1676, while the American colonies were still in their infancy, a group of Jamaica Plain residents donated corn and land to establish a local school. They likely could not have imagined that three and a half centuries later, the institution would still be standing—not as a grammar school for colonial children, but as a vibrant center for woodworking, sewing, and fine arts.
This year, the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts celebrates its massive 350th anniversary, a milestone that places it among the oldest continuously operating schools in the nation. “Reaching 350 years is an incredible milestone that reminds us of the enduring power of arts education to transform lives and build community,” says Angela Lerr, Director of Development and Communications for the Eliot School. “This year, we’re focusing on legacy, community, and vision — honoring the generations who shaped The Eliot School, celebrating the vibrant community we serve today, and looking forward to how we can continue evolving to meet future needs.”
From Grammar to
Manual Arts
The school’s history is a mirror of Jamaica Plain’s own evolution. Endowed in 1689 by the “Apostle to the Indians” Rev. John Eliot—who donated 75 acres of land—the school spent its first two centuries as a traditional grammar school. Its pivot to the arts began in the late 19th century. Under the influence of visionaries like MIT luminaries Robert and Ellen Swallow Richards, the school broke away from the public system in 1874. It reinvented itself to focus on “manual arts,” pioneering vocational training in carpentry and sewing long before “shop class” was a staple of American education.
Amid this evolution, the Eliot School has retained commitment to its core purpose: “providing education that empowers people to create and contribute to their communities.” When asked about what’s next for the school, Lett said, “Looking ahead, we’ll continue expanding access to arts education, embrace new technologies while preserving traditional crafts, and deepen our role as a community gathering place,” adding that the programs and partnerships they are building will help to ensure the Eliot School will continue to thrive in the foreseeable future.
Today, the historic schoolhouse at 24 Eliot Street remains a hive of activity. Despite the prevalence of online learning today, school staff are seeing a shift back towards in-person learning and hands-on experiences. “As technology becomes more pervasive in daily life, many students and adults are actively seeking opportunities to disconnect from screens and reconnect with one another through making and learning together,” Lett says, adding “As a result, enrollment at the Eliot School has grown steadily as more people return to the Schoolhouse for classes and workshops. We’ve also seen significant growth in our partnerships across the city. This year, we are providing art and/or woodworking programs in 13 schools and three community partner sites, including seven Boston Public Schools, many of which we’ve partnered with for years.” She notes that these partnerships allow the Eliot School to bring expert instructors into the schools and community settings, enabling and fostering creativity, expression and more through arts and crafts. “It was a fitting and inspiring start to our 350th year, reflecting what makes the Eliot School special: creativity, community, skill-sharing, and using art and craft to care for others,” said Lett.
Celebrating 350 Years
To mark this tercentennial plus half-century, the school has unveiled a new logo and visual identity for 2026, as well as multiple planned events throughout the year.
Kicking it off a couple of weeks ago with “Sew Many Mittens,” which saw more than 260 volunteers come together to sew mittens and distribute them to neighbors through Friends of Boston’s Homeless.
In July, the school will be hosting an Eliot School Birthday Party Carnival on school grounds, featuring family fun, yard games, hands-on crafts, tours, snacks and much more. This will be a “a true neighborhood celebration honoring the School and the many students and community members who have passed through its doors over the centuries.”
On October 22, the school will be hosting its 350th Anniversary Fundraising Gala at Big Night Live at TD Garden. The gala will be a celebration community, craft, and of the rich history of the Eliot School. Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved is welcome to contact Angela Lett, Director of Development & Communications, at [email protected].
As the Eliot School looks toward its fourth century, it remains a rare living link to our past—a place where the “instinctive desire of human beings to create” is as relevant today as it was in 1676.
For more info on classes, or to donate to the 350th anniversary fund, visit eliotschool.org.