A HISTORY SPANNING OVER 140 YEARS
Here at Edgewood Campus School, we have a rich, deep heritage spanning over 140 years. Founded in 1881 by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, time has erased most of the original buildings, the fields, and the farm animals. Gone, too, are the white habits of the sisters. However, what has not changed is the sponsorship and presence of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and the dedication of our faculty and staff to their mission of providing quality education and service to the community.
As an apostolic religious congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa engage in many and varied ministries of preaching and teaching. The Congregation sponsors educational institutions, and board members, administration, faculty/staff from all institutions articulate five values (Truth, Justice, Compassion, Community, and Partnership) that they feel represent Sinsinawa Dominican educational institutions the best. By integrating the mission of the institution and these values into all aspects of the school, the board members, administration, and faculty/staff strive to carry out the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.
VENERABLE FATHER SAMUEL MAZZUCHELLI, OP
Samuel Mazzuchelli, founder of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, was born in Milan, Italy on November 4, 1806, descending from a family of merchants and bankers. At age 17, Samuel entered the Dominican Order of Preachers (OP) against his father's wishes, and at a time when the order was struggling. In 1828 at the young age of 22, he traveled to the American frontier. After his priestly ordination, Cincinnati Bishop Edward Fenwick assigned Samuel to be the missionary priest of the entire Northwest Territory.
In 1847, Samuel established a community of Catholic religious women, known as the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, to help him carry out his mission of preaching and teaching. He established many local parish communities that still remain to this day, designing and building more than 24 churches and civic buildings before his death in 1864 at the age of 57. From that time until now, increasing numbers of people have asked for his heavenly help in prayer.
Pope John Paul II declared Samuel as Venerable in 1993, meaning he exemplified heroic virtues during his lifetime and was a servant of God - the beginning of the process for someday recognizing Father Samuel Mazzuchelli as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
EDGEWOOD'S HISTORY
Statesman, businessman, soldier, and philanthropist, Cadwallader C. Washburn was elected governor of Wisconsin in 1871 and purchased the Edgewood estate in 1873. After losing his bid for a second term as governor, he turned his attention to the milling operation that he started in Minnesota.
Washburn offered his property to the city of Madison, the state of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin, but they all declined because it was “too far out of town.” Washburn gave his estate and the surrounding 55 acres to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa with the stipulation that it be kept always for educational purposes.
The sisters opened St. Regina Academy in the Edgewood Villa in August 1881 as a “school for young ladies.” Twelve years later, during construction of a new, four-story building, a devastating fire broke out in the mansion destroying the nearly completed building. Only the carriage house remained standing, now known as Marshall Hall. The sisters began reconstruction at once, reopening two years later as Sacred Heart Academy. In 1927, Edgewood High School opened its doors as a co-educational high school, and the sisters also began a junior college for women in the same building. Thirteen years later, Edgewood College was established as a four-year college.
The current Edgewood Campus School facility opened in 1953 under the leadership of Sister Nona McGreal, OP. The school was staffed by Dominican Sisters who had advanced degrees from several colleges and universities. In the summer of 2013, the front entrance to the Campus School was remodeled to create a more aesthetic and secure entry for students and visitors. Continuous renovations to the original Campus School building take place each summer.
In 2018, the middle school, which was based within Edgewood High School, moved to a new location that is now home to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classrooms, a library media center, testing room, relaxation room, offices, and a student lounge area.
The physical education building, known as the Edgedome, was completed in 1961. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and the new “poured concrete design,” the 164 arched beams were made in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and trucked to Madison. The concrete pylons at the four corners anchor the arched forms and carry the weight of the roof. There are no windows to cause glare to athletes or spectators. The Edgedome is the physical education facility and the venue for many school activities and events for both the Campus School and Edgewood College.
The Sondregger Science Center - built collaboratively by Edgewood Campus School, Edgewood High School and Edgewood College - houses science education classrooms and labs for all three schools. This building and the Edgewood science program have been hailed as a model for science education. The guest speaker at the 1999 dedication was astronaut Sally Ride, the first woman to go into space.
