National Park Seminary
Operated:
1894-1942
Location:
2710 Linden Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Key Figures:
Emily Elizabeth Holman, Senator Paul Sarbanes
Other Names:
National Park College; Ye Forest Inne, Walter Reed Forest Glen Annex,
Historical Timeline
Founding
In 1887, YeForest Inne was a summer retreat for D.C.'s elite, but it quickly lost money. The land and the buildings were resold and redeveloped in 1894.
Girls School
The Girl's School opened in 1894 with 48 female students. The architect of this new school was Emily Elizabeth Holman, one of the first female architects of Pennsylvania. The campus included a variety of architecture designs that can still be seen today.
In 1936, the school was renamed to the "National Park College" to mirror the change in education. It was one of the nation's most prestigious girl's school.
Military
In 1942, the U.S. Army bought the land as a green space for wounded soldiers to recover. It lifted the weight off of the nearby military hospital, Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Between 1960 and 1970, the Army lost money to keep the campus and it was declared "excess."
Present
In 1972, the school was placed on the National Register of Historic PLaces. Since then, it was the product of arson and vandalism.
In 1988, Save Our Seminary formed.
In 2003, Alexander Company bought the rights to develop the site, which now includes apartments and condos.
However, much of the campus remained in tact.
