Royal Masonic Institution for Girls
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASONIC INSITUTION FOR GIRLS FROM 1788 TO 1965
In 1788 an Italian dentist had been practising in London for some years. He had become the Royal Dentist, thereby gaining the friendship of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, who like himself was a keen Freemason. With the latter’s approval and active support, the Chevalier Ruspini gathered together seven eminent Freemasons to formulate a scheme for a school for the daughters of distressed brethren. Aided by Royal Patronage, a School actually came into being within a year, the Royal Cumberland Freemasons School being opened in Somers Place near Euston to receive 15 little girls. Taking into account that England was soon to be involved in a long war with Napoleon, the appeal to this practical example of benevolence was immediate and remarkable. By 1793 a larger School was built to cope with increasing numbers, and the second School was built in St. George’s Fields, south of the river.
On 14th December 1813, Chevalier died, knowing that the United Grand Lodge was about to be born, and knowing also that he had founded what was to become one of the most famous girls’ schools in England.
During the 56 years at St. George’s Fields slowly but surely changes were being made in every aspect of the children’s lives. At the end of that time it had already begun to emerge from the charity school type and to make itself ready for those far-reaching changes which were soon to follow.
Opening in January 1853, the third School was equipped to take 150 girls, but it started with 65. Change was in the air and affected the House Committee, staff and the girls, and in a very short time a modern, up to date Secondary School was to emerge. In1881 the numbers had increased to 235 and the building was “bursting at the seams”. An adjoining house was bought and converted into a Junior House, which in 1888 was still further enlarged to cater for 35 little girls. In1903 these houses were demolished and an entirely new Junior School was built for £16,000.
The Centenary Year brought extensive changes and improvements in kitchen, dormitory, lavatory and other accommodation, and also a magnificent Hall for ceremonial occasions. In the 26 years that followed-i.e., up to 1914-the record of academic successes achieved by the girls was so outstanding that it deserves to be printed. One thousand and three girls (1003) sat for some part of the Cambridge Local examinations, and only forty-one (41) failed. This was a pass list of 96% as against the national average of 65%. The R.M.I.G. is proud not only of its buildings, but also of its girls, who are “The School”.
In 1915 the building at Clapham housed 350 girls, and in spite of the war something had to be done to relieve the congestion. A prolonged search led to the purchase of a house at Weybridge which had been built as a boys’ school, and the adjoining house was also bought. The boys’ school was ideal for a new Junior School, and the house was made into a Sanatorium for Weybridge and a convalescent home for seniors.
In 1934 H.M.Queen Mary was graciously pleased to open the magnificent new Senior School in Rickmansworth Park in the presence of over 5000 brethren and their ladies. In 1946, His Majesty King George VI, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, visited the school. This was a purely informal occasion and it was learnt afterwards that their Majesties had greatly enjoyed the afternoon.
In 1952 the R.M.I.G. was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation. At the same time as Her Majesty gave her consent she graciously accepted the title of Grand Patron. In 1954 a new wing for Domestic Science was planned, and H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent laid the Foundation Stone. In 1955, Her Majesty the Queen came to Rickmansworth to see the School, making an extensive tour of the buildings and stopping and talking to a number of the girls on her way through the Dinning Room. Finally she stayed to witness the famous Traditional Drill.
In 1956 the Province of Hertfordshire presented the Halsey Memorial Sports Pavilion in memory of the devoted service the Halsey family had given to Freemasonry. In 1957 the Hall, presented by Mark Grand Lodge to mark the Centenary was opened by its Grand Master, The Lord Harris.
In 1965, under an order in Council dated 17th September, authority was given by Her Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council to amend the Institution’s Royal Charter and thus permit the admission of fee-paying pupils, should there be vacancies in the schools after all Petition applications had been admitted.
(This is a précis of “ The History of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, 1788-1966, written by W.Bro. R.M.Handfield-Jones, M.C., M.S., R.R.C.S.,P.G.D., Vice-Patron .