Biographical Note
Elizabeth Chapman Gilkeson graduated from Vassar College in 1924 and received her Master’s Degree from Teachers College in 1937. Gilkeson founded the Poughkeepsie Day School and served as its director from 1934 to 1949, and was a member of the faculty in the Child Study Department at Vassar from 1935 to 1949. She continued to teach at the Vassar Summer Institute until 1953. From 1949 to 1954, Gilkeson was the director of Guidance at the New Lincoln School, as well as an instructor and advisor at Bank Street.
In 1954 she became the Chair of Bank Street’s Children’s Programs, and established the Bank Street School for Children. Under her leadership, the School for Children was expanded to include students through eighth grade. She also founded the Polly Miller Child Center and the Early Childhood Center, and developed the Bank Street Follow Through model. Elizabeth Gilkeson died in 1998.
Scope and Content Note
The Elizabeth C. Gilkeson papers document her role as graduate faculty member, advisor and Chair of Children’s Programs at Bank Street College. The collection also documents her role as founder of the Poughkeepsie Day School and Vassar College faculty member.