Timeline: FCS Timeline McKell Parkinson

1837

Oberlin College First to Admit Women as Degree Candidates

1841

"Treatise on Domestic Economics"

This was the first Family and Consumer Science textbook to be recognized by the Department of Education written by Catharine Beecher

1859

Annie Dewey

Librarian and Educator, she was a huge factor in getting Home Economics into higher education. Her husband and her attended the Lake Placid Conference regularly.

1861

"Book of Household Management"

Isabella Mary Beeton wrote the "Book of Household Management" which turned into the most widely read household advice book in the 1800's.

1862

Morrill Land-Grant Act

An act Congress approved where land in each individual state would be reserved for universities that emphasized toward research relating to agriculture and home economics.

1869

W.O. Atwater

Atwater received his PhD in chemistry from Yale, and used this degree to develop the caloric table which is used to measure calorie levels in food. Atwater attended the Lake Placid Conference often and pushed for Home Economics to be taught worldwide and daily.

1870

Ellen Swallow Richards Admitted to MIT

Ellen was the first woman admitted to MIT, and also the first to be presented as a degree candidate.

1871

Mary B. Welch

Mary B. Welch was the first to teach Home Economics to college students at Iowa State College.

1876

First Womens Laboratory Opened

Ellen Swallow Richards opens the first Womens Laboratory for other Women to have the ability to study and learn in higher education, which emphasized home economics.

1889

Lake Placid Conference in Home Economics

Ellen Richards organized Lake Placid Conference in Home Economics to give opportunities for individuals to meet and converse about Home Economics

1893

Creation of the Rumford Kitchen

Ellen Richards led the creation of the Rumford Kitchen. Which was a place for individuals to learn about food nutrition and eat at a more affordable price.

1908

The American Home Economics Association

The American Home Economics Association was organized by attendees of the Lake Placid Conference. Ellen Richards was elected the president over this association.

1914

Smith-Lever Act

This Act established the Cooperative Extension Service. This act also required a Agricultural Experiment Station, which means that an entity was provided to any useful information regarding agriculture and home economics.

1917

Smith-Hughes Act

First act setting vocational education apart from regular high school curriculum. This meant that home economics could finally receive funding when in public high schools. This changed a lot for public education.

1923

"Economics of the Household"

Benjamin Andrews was a professor of home economics for over 40 years. His book "Economics of the Household" is considered a classic among Home Economics. He served as chairman for the editorial board for the "Journal of Home Economics", and attended Lake Placid Conferences serving as Secretary-Treasurer.

1965

National Head Start Early Childhood Program

This was a program brought on by John F. Kennedy which offered hope for a new society. This program opened up different view points for a rising society which was needed during this period of time.

1984

Perkins Act

This act supported secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs. Home Economics began to grow and prosper through new funding and support.

1994