Colby-Sawyer College marks its 189th anniversary July 4, 2026, the same day the United States celebrates its 250th.  

The legislative charter that established New London Academy — the institution from which Colby-Sawyer has evolved — is dated July 4, 1837. The school at that time was also briefly referred to as New-London Seminary, and course catalogs also called the school The Academical Institution at New London, NH. 

Susan Colby was the teacher and held the position referred to as lady principal when the secondary school opened May 28, 1838. The first cohort of students included 26 girls and one boy. 

The advertised course of study for the first year included arithmetic, grammar, geography, and history of the United States.

Topics in the second through fifth years included algebra, geography of the heavens,  botany, rhetoric, Latin, Kames’ elements of criticism, natural philosophy, Butler’s analogy, and Italian.

Expenses included $8 for 24 instrumental music lessons, $1 for 12 penmanship lessons and $1.50-$1.75 for board and washing. 

During the institution's 90 years as a secondary school, its name was changed twice — to New London Literary & Scientific Institute in 1854 and to Colby Academy in 1878. 

In 1876, when the United States marked its 100th anniversary, New London Literary & Scientific Institution turned 39 years old. The salary for Hannah Dodge, the lady principal, was $500. 

In 1926, when the U.S. celebrated its 150th anniversary, the school, then called Colby Academy, observed its 89th anniversary. Dr. H. Leslie Sawyer was headmaster.

In 1927, a new gymnasium was built. And in 1928, the school’s name was changed to Colby School for Girls when it transitioned from a secondary school to a junior college and preparatory school for women. 

In 1937, when Colby Junior College (as it became known in 1933) held its centennial celebration, President Sawyer and Doris Nielsen, president of the Class of 1937, placed items in a copper box to be opened in June 2037. The President’s Home, a gift from Mary Colgate, opened. 

In 1976, when the United States celebrated its 200th anniversary, Colby-Sawyer recorded its 139th birthday. U.S. presidential hopefuls Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan both campaigned on campus in February. 

Louis Vaccaro was president of the college, which in 1975 had transitioned to a four-year college for women.

Simultaneously, its name was changed to Colby-Sawyer to honor Dr. Sawyer, who led the institution for 30 years (1922-55).

(In 1973, the college’s name had been changed from Colby Junior College for Women to Colby College-New Hampshire “to accommodate the diversity of interests among the students.”) 

In 1987, Colby-Sawyer President Peggy Stock’s inauguration was part of the college’s sesquicentennial celebration. During reunion weekend, a time capsule was prepared to be opened at the bicentennial anniversary.

Three years later, in 1990, the college admitted men; 68 men were among the 212 first-year students. 

Colby-Sawyer has had a lot to cheer about in 2026 as it approached its 189th anniversary.

Windy Hill School has been celebrating 50 years of joyous, innovative learning, including with an art exhibition. Career Services is also celebrating 50+ years of connecting students with their purpose and passions. 

The college awarded the first eight of 16 Niblack nursing scholarships — four-year, full-ride scholarships to incoming first-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing  students. Eight more scholarships will be awarded to students entering in fall 2027.    

Colby-Sawyer also teamed with the Center for Wildlife Studies to launch a wildlife ecology, conservation & management track.   

And during the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary, assistant professor Craig Gallaher has shared his expertise about the Declaration of Independence with media. 

Morgan Wilson ’17, college archivist and systems librarian, contributed to this story.