See Also:  Mt. Morris College

1    Reunion--Rock River Seminary--1886.  Title page reads, "Reunion of Old Sandstone's Students.  Mount Morris, Ill., June 29 to July 1, 1886."  A 56-page booklet describing the history of the Seminary and listing the reunion events and alums.

2    The Mount Morris Seminary and Collegiate Institute, for Males and Females.  Prospectus for First Session--1879-1880.  10-page booklet describing the school, its faculty, its courses, and costs to attend.

3    Program in an envelope.  Describes activities of Class Day, 13 June 1876, at Rock River Seminary.

4-5    Two copies of program for 37th Commencement for Rock River Seminary, June 11-15, 1876.

6    Rock River Seminary, Mount Morris, Ill., Order of Exercises, Thursday, June 28th, 1849.  Program from a musical presentation.

7    Annual Exhibition of Rock River Seminary, Wednesday Evening, June 25th, 1856.  Program from a musical presentation.

8    Circular of Invitation.  Invitation to 33rd commencement at Rock River Seminary, 20-22 June, 1871.  Includes program of events and list of graduates.

9    Thirty-third Anniversary of Rock River Seminary, 1870-1871.  Includes program of events and list of graduates.

10    Rock River Seminary!  Circular for Winter and Spring Terms, 1870-1871.  Describes courses offered.

11    Thirty-second Anniversary of Rock River Seminary, 1869-1870.  Includes program of events and list of graduates.

12-16    Catalogues of Rock River Seminary.  1855, 1859, 1874, 1875 (2 copies).

See Also:  Mt. Morris College

Rock River Seminary, Mt. Morris, Illinois, was started by the Methodists in the 1839.  Financial problems proved to be overwhelming and the institution was sold to Robert Hitt, son of the founder, Thomas Hitt. Another Methodist school, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois was larger and better equipped and provided strenuous competition.  So much so that Rock River Seminary had to close its doors.  The available property was noticed by a local Brethren minister, M. M. Newcomer, who was not excited about sending his children all the way to Ashland, Ohio to receive a Brethren based education. He suggested to other Brethren and surrounding Brethren churches that they might buy the Rock River Seminary.  The purchase was made and the new school opened on August 20, 1879 wtih the name of Mount Morris Seminary and Collegiate Institute. 

Rock River Seminary later became Mt. Morris College, which merged with Manchester College in 1932.

Date of Accession: Items 3-5 were given on 10 February 1930, others unknown.

Description prepared 20 November 2003, updated 20 November 2003 by Sara L. Smith, and last updated 7 July 2011 by Jeanine M. Wine.