1847

Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P., a Catholic missionary from Italy (and currently a candidate for sainthood), founds the Sinsinawa Dominican sisters. Fr. Mazzuchelli serves the Native Americans and settlers as well as founding -- and in some cases designing and building -- village churches. His mission takes him over the years from the north shore of Lake Michigan southwest throughout the Fox, Wisconsin and part of the Mississippi river valleys. (At right is a painting of Mazzuchelli as a very young priest.)

1854

Samuel Marshall of Marshall and Ilsley (now M&I ) Bank purchases the farmland on which Edgewood now sits. His carriage house still exists on campus, and is currently an Edgewood College dorm. When the Marshalls move to Milwaukee, they sell the property to Governor Cadwallader Washburn (right). The Governor makes it his official residence and names it Edgewood Villa. Edgewood is a working farm and orchard, and, at the time, is far enough out in the country that it does not receive postal delivery -- mail is picked up in town.

1871

The Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation founds St. Regina Academy, a school for both boarding girls and non-boarding boys and girls in Madison, near the Capitol at the corner of West Washington and South Henry. (The building, which was across from St. Raphael's Cathedral, no longer exists.) The sisters offer all basic subjects plus three languages and many vocal, instrumental and visual arts. In the original advertisements for the new school, students of all faiths are specifically welcomed.

1881

After losing a bid for re-election, Governor Washburn donates Edgewood Villa (at right) to the Dominican Sisters and moves to La Crosse to build his mill business. The school, still called St. Regina Academy, moves into Edgewood. Governor Washburn's business grows, moves to Minneapolis, and eventually becomes General Mills. Through the 1950s, in Edgewood Villa and in other buildings to come, the sisters take in and educate both paying boarder girls and orphaned girls in need.

1895

The Villa burns in a tragic fire; three students die and one sister collapses trying to save them. Less than a year later, the school is rebuilt and reopens under a new name, Sacred Heart Academy at Edgewood (at right). Ads proclaim, "The position of the Academy, aside from the beauty...of the location, assures perfect healthfulness. Its graceful, well-wooded slopes afford ample room for out-door exercise." This description still rings true today.

1924

At the request of the growing number of Catholic parishes and parents in Madison, boys are admitted to the high school. Junior college courses are now offered for girls. In 1927, the original building of current facilities (at right) is designed by Albert Kelsey, grandson of Governor Washburn, and opens as Edgewood Academy of the Sacred Heart. The previous building, which now becomes the convent, can just be seen in the trees at left of the photo.

1928

An Athletic Club is organized under the leadership of Coach Earl J. Wilke, who remains at Edgewood High School building sports programs for 50 years. During the Depression, one lot on the southeast corner of the property is sold to the well-loved doctor who cares for the sisters and students, and the money goes to pay the bills during this difficult time. Slowly, over the years, the working farm operations on the property cease. The last cows are sold in the '30s. (At right is the Class of '27.)

1943

Composer Igor Stravinsky is present in the auditorium at a performance of one of his works by Nadia Boulanger. Music teacher Sr. Edmund Blackwell had studied under Boulanger and Stravinsky in Paris. Helen Hayes is also a frequent visitor to campus during the '40s and '50s; she comes to visit her old school chum, now EHS teacher Sr. Marie Aileen Klein. (Auditorium, recently renovated, is at right.)

1953

The younger students move into a new facility, Edgewood Campus Grade School. In 1955, Edgewood College moves into its own new buildings. During the next 50 years, the high school adds classrooms, a larger cafeteria, a track and field, two gyms, a swimming pool and, most recently in the late 1990s, a jointly used science center. (The Sonderegger Science Center is pictured at right.)

1955

Kathleen O'Connell, O.P., (pictured at right) begins her 29-year tenure as principal. After 1984, O'Connell continues to serve on the Board of Trustees until her death in 2000. Before the tenure of Sr. Kathleen, as is common with Dominican Orders, the Sinsinawa Dominicans has allowed sisters to serve as principal for no more than six years, but the ever-growing school at this point requires consistent leadership. Sr. Kathleen is still the beloved "heart of EHS."

1970

"The Rock" makes its appearance on the EHS campus. It is unearthed during the construction of an addition to make room for baby boomers in the '60s. The Rock quickly becomes an outlet for student spirit, trumpeting events such as Homecoming, championships and graduation, or even remembering a beloved teacher who has died (right, honoring science teacher Joe Zaiman, March of 2004).

TODAY

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart serves 665 students with a curriculum based in truth, justice, compassion, community and partnership, values especially prized by its Dominican founders/sponsors. Over 12,000 students have graduated from the school. Many have gone on to be community leaders wherever they have settled.