The elementary schools in Exeter have a unique history.  Lincoln Street School is located on land that once belonged to the Robinson Female Seminary campus (1869-1955).  In 1869, William Robinson left provisions in his will for a trust that would provide a free high school education for the females of Exeter.  Mr. Robinson envisioned a Seminary that would match Phillips Exeter Academy in providing a superior education for women. Robinson Female Seminary became one of the first public high schools for women in the state of New Hampshire. When the school closed in 1955 to make way for a co-educational high school, the Robinson Trust donated the Seminary land to the city of Exeter for a new elementary school, the Lincoln Street School.

In 2003, we began a very ambitious project to construct  a nature trail and outdoor classroom. This amazing project was organized and spear-headed by Dr. Susan O’Connor, Curriculum Director at Lincoln and Main Street Schools. During the project, attempts were made to incorporate many curricular areas, as well as to instill a deep appreciation for the history of this site. Children participated in art projects with clay from the seminary site, writing, scientific activities, music, and history.

We take great pride in the fact that Lincoln Street School is on what was the site of the Robinson Female Seminary. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lincoln Street School, it is fitting that we take this time to honor our history and environment. We look forward to sharing them with future residents of Exeter. Many thanks to all who made it possible.

We also wish to thank our sponsors: Timberland Corporation, The Spirit and  Enrichment Council, The N.H. State Council on the Arts, The Exeter PTO, The Miliken Foundation, Robinson Female Seminary Alumnae, the Exeter Historical Society, Exeter Monument Works, ExxonMobil Alliance, and the Dave Barrows Fund.

Here are a few highlights of our Nature Trail Study.

	Robinson Female Students in biology class in 1895
This donated granite plinth documents the history of the site and this excerpt is from the Exeter Town Report in 1847, "In the erection of the building some regard has been had to architectural beauty and the laws of good taste. It has been remembered that our children for years to come will obtain in its halls and grounds their earliest and strongest impressions – impressions which will mould and shape the character of the man, and which the longest and busiest life cannot efface."
	Artist-in-Residence, Rob Rossel worked with students at Main Street School and Lincoln to create tiles to document the history of Robinson Female Seminary as well as many of the important site in the town of Exeter and on the Nature Trail.
Children participated in revitalizing the site by creating tiled murals for the Lincoln St. School’s 50th Anniversary. The murals focused on the legacy left to us by the Seminary. Clay from the site was incorporated into the tiles.
	Urban Tree Steward Sue Kaplan created a keyed guide for present day students to use in identifying trees on the trail.  Many of the trees were planted in 1869 for Seminary students to observe during nature study.
This set of tiles sits at the beginning of the Nature Trail.
	Sandra Cross, a Robinson Female Seminary Alumnus, spoke at the formal dedication of the Nature Trail and told students much about what school was like when she was young.
A marvelous celebration marked the official opening of the trail. This quote reflects the true feeling of those who worked so hard to make it meaningful. “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”  - Greek proverb