Today, we explore Susan Blow—who, basing her teachings on German philosophy and Friedrich Froebel’s methods, developed the first continuous kindergarten program supported by public funds in America. Her first class at Des Peres School in St. Louis sparked a nationwide early childhood education movement.
Early Life and Family Background
Susan Blow was born June 7, 1843, in St. Louis, Missouri, the oldest of six children of Henry Taylor Blow and Minerva Grimsley.
Mother’s family: Owned a saddle company with U.S. government contracts. Minerva’s parents, Colonel Thornton Grimsley and Susan Stark, were prominent citizens. Colonel Grimsley served as alderman, state representative, and senator. He worked with Mayor Darby to create Lafayette Square Park.
Father’s family: Henry’s parents, Captain Peter Blow and Elizabeth Taylor, moved from South Hampton County, Virginia, in 1830. They owned Dred Scott, a famous slave in St. Louis history. After moving, they opened a boarding house and sold slaves, including Dred Scott. Following the deaths of Henry’s parents in 1831 and 1832, Henry began working in a law firm, then became partner in a large St. Louis factory business.
Childhood and Education
Susan spent her early years at 134 Elm Street on the St. Louis riverfront. After their home was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1849, the family moved to Carondelet, a French settlement south of the city, where they built a Greek Revival mansion called Old Southampton.
Her parents encouraged education for all their children, providing access to a large library and establishing a public school in Carondelet.
The Blows were abolitionists and politically active—Henry supported Dred Scott’s freedom suit and eventually freed Scott.
Susan received a private education, tutored at home, then attended a private school in New York. The Civil War forced her return to St. Louis.
Political and Diplomatic Years
Her father served as state representative and senator and was a delegate at the National Republican Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln.
In 1869, President Grant appointed Henry Blow minister to Brazil. The family spent two years there, with Susan serving as his secretary.
Before returning, they toured Europe, where Susan observed a kindergarten classroom using Froebel’s methods—exciting her about early childhood education.
Friedrich Froebel and Kindergarten Philosophy
Friedrich Froebel, born 1782 in Saxony (now Germany), was originally an architect turned teacher.
He created the term kindergarten (“children’s garden”) and opened the first school in 1840.
Froebel’s methods included:
10 Gifts: Educational toys designed to teach concepts like unity, form, and color (e.g., six woolen balls in different colors).
5 Occupations: Activities like clay modeling and bead stringing to develop creativity and problem-solving.
He believed learning should begin early and be based on active, meaningful play rather than rote memorization.
Kindergarten was co-educational, unusual for the time.
Kindergarten in America: Controversy and Adoption
Kindergarten was banned in Prussia in 1841 amid fears it promoted atheism. Froebel died a year later.
The concept spread elsewhere, brought by immigrants and pioneers like Susan Blow.
Post-Civil War America was ripe for kindergarten—social reformers sought to protect children from poverty and corruption.
William Torrey Harris, St. Louis School Superintendent, championed kindergarten to benefit children of all backgrounds.
The Birth of Kindergarten in St. Louis
Susan met with Harris to propose kindergarten in public schools.
Her father offered private funding, but she insisted on public support.
Harris ordered studies showing younger school admission would benefit children in slum areas.
Although the school board initially rejected lowering the age, they later appointed a committee (with Blow as director) to explore kindergarten.
Establishing the First Public Kindergarten
On August 26, 1873, the St. Louis School Board opened the first public kindergarten at Des Peres School on South Michigan Avenue.
The schoolhouse was designed with light and ventilation, contrasting traditional classrooms.
The kindergarten classroom was colorful, decorated with plants, and furnished with child-sized tables and benches.
The first class had 63 boys and girls, with Blow as teacher and 3 unpaid assistants.
The curriculum focused on virtues, manners, hygiene, and discipline, using Froebel’s gifts and games to teach.
Growth and Challenges
By 1880, the kindergarten system had 166 paid teachers, 60 assistants, and 7,828 students.
Opposition arose, claiming kindergarten was un-American and a misuse of public funds.
An 1878 lawsuit challenged admission of children under six.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled public funds could not be used for children under six, but allowed a $1 quarterly fee for five-year-olds.
Community Support and Influence
The kindergarten thrived in Carondelet’s large German community, familiar with the concept.
Other cities sent teachers to study at Susan Blow’s training program.
Blow developed a six-month teacher training program focused on development rather than early academic instruction.
Legacy and Later Years
Students who attended kindergarten showed better expression, manual skills, and knowledge.
Susan’s health declined due to Graves disease; she retired in 1884 and moved to Boston, helping found the International Kindergarten Union.
In 1895, she moved to New York and continued lecturing and writing about Froebel’s philosophy.
Susan Blow died March 26, 1916, in New York; her body was returned to St. Louis for burial.
Impact and Memorials
By 1898, 190,000 children nationwide attended kindergarten programs inspired by her work.
Susan Blow believed education aided personal, intellectual, and moral growth, serving as a bridge from family to formal schooling.
The Des Peres School is now a museum operated by the Carondelet Historical Society, housing many of Blow’s diaries and artifacts.
Blow Street in South St. Louis also honors her family.
You can find more at:
Twitter: @showme_history
Facebook: ShowMeHistorySTL
Until next time, I’ll see you in the Lou.