Anna Coffin Ames was born January 16, 1839, and was the wife of Gov. Oliver Ames. It would be fair to say Anna C. Ames laid the groundwork for the amazing Music Dept. at Oliver Ames HS today. After her husband Oliver’s death in 1895, she gifted money to build the first Oliver Ames High School, replacing the original Easton HS on Lincoln Street. Believing music was a priority, she purchased uniforms and instruments and paid for a music teacher. A summer band, comprised of high school band members and alumni, played summer concerts in North Easton and called themselves the Anna C. Ames Band. In 1902 she funded the building of the HS gym on Barrows Street. “Mrs. Ames's dedication to promoting physical activity and fitness had a significant impact on the success of the OA basketball programs in the early 1900s. Her contributions were instrumental in the school's sustained dominance in both girls' and boys' basketball, which lasted throughout the second and third decades of the century.” (EHSM) Under her daughter-in-law Blanche Ames’ influence Anna donated $25,000 to the suffragette cause. Anna C. Ames used her good fortune in life to help others in her community.  What many readers won’t know is that Anna Ames was born poor. She was born Anna Coffin Ray on Nantucket. Her mother taught private school, and her father was a laborer. Her father was Obed S. Ray, her mother Anna Joy. There was a prominent family on Nantucket at the time, and not being blessed with children, they adopted several children, including Anna. Anna took the name Hadwen and received all the advantages a wealthy family could provide. She grew to be a pretty Nantucket belle. On visiting North Easton with her adoptive parents to enjoy ‘winter sports’ Anna met Oliver Ames, future governor and financial giant. Their engagement and marriage- on Nantucket- occurred quickly. Children followed- William Hadwen Ames (note the name of her adoptive parents), Eveline Orville Ames, Anna Lee Ames, Susan Evelyn Ames, Lillian Ames and Oakes Ames. Mrs. Ames split her time between Easton and her mansion on Commonwealth Ave. in Boston. |
