Stop 15 - Edgehill Mansion

Babcock Estate c.1880s (courtesy Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley)

Edgehill Mansion, an elegant Queen Anne Victorian, was constructed in 1887 by shipping magnate William Babcock. It was named Edgehill for its hilltop location overlooking the Magnolia Valley.

Babcock Estate c.1880s (Courtesy Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley)

Edgehill Mansion c. 1920

Edgehill Mansion c. 1960s

Edgehill Mansion c.1980s

Elizabeth Devereaux '64 designed the stained glass bay window in the chapel

Tour Highlights

• Edgehill Mansion was purchased from Mrs. Julia Babcock, widow of Mr. William Babcock in 1920 for a senior residence hall
• Mrs. Babcock graciously left much of her original furniture
• The property has functioned in several capacities, including as a residence hall, classrooms, offices, dining hall, novitiate house, and the beloved Garden School; a pre-k and kindergarten school started in 1946 by Sr. Patricia Lyons until 2004 which occupied the former dining room and solarium
• Due to structural concerns, the Mansion closed in 1989 and stood empty until June 2009 at which point a foundation-to-floor renovation commenced. The Mansion’s transformation was completed in October 2010, and today it is the crown jewel of our campus.
• The Babcocks’ library was converted into a Catholic chapel, and it is fitting that this space is the newly established St. Catherine Benincasa Chapel. Nationally recognized liturgical artist Elizabeth Devereaux '64 designed the stained glass gracing the bay windows in the chapel, which draws in light and lifts up the spirit.
• Currently it serves as the home for Catholic and interfaith worship, Student Life, Campus Ministry, student government and organizations, the International Center, Alumni Relations, Career and Intern Services, as well as exhibits celebrating the history of the University

Living Room c.1920s

Student's Room c.1920s

Students c.1960s

The Garden School 1946 - 2004

May Procession 1958

The Garden School

On September 4, 1964, the Garden School was founded by Sister Patricia Mary Lyons. O.P.. The Garden School was a primary school that lived on Dominican campus. During the initial years of the school, Sister Patricia Mary Lyons, O.P. taught kindergarten, and Sister Mary Ellen,O.P. pre-kindergarten. The school’s curriculum incorporated music, art, and held religion high. The school was house in Edgehill Mansion in what is now known as the garden room. The layout of Edgehill is for the most part the same today as it was when the Garden School was open, but each room has its own history. The glassed in porch part of the building served as the prekindergarten class. The mansion’s pantry was used as workroom and the large storage areas were occupied with stored class materials. The  living room was used for special school events attended by the parents, and the chapel as we know it today was a library where the children would say their daily morning prayers.

           In 1986 the Garden School relocated, and shortly after in 2004 the school was closed. Alumni of the garden school, community members, and students of the Liberal Arts and Education program were all affected by the news. The Garden School allowed students who were pursuing teaching degrees to work with the children, in order to gain experience. This was difficult for Sister Patricia. She pleaded for the Garden School’s relocation on the lawn near Edgehill, but it only lasted until 2004. Though the Garden School no longer exists on Dominican University’s campus, its values and traditions are still alive at Saint Raphael For Sister Patricia, it was important that religion remained a significant part of the curriculum, and as a Catholic school Saint Raphael was able to provide that.

Chapel

In 1889, when the Sisters moved to San Rafael from Benicia to build a school, a Motherhouse was constructed along the block of Grand Avenue.The Rosary chapel was beautiful, it had room for several hundred people, and the students often went to worship with the Sisters for religious services. Unfortunately, on July 12, 1990, the Motherhouse was burnt down and only remains of the chapel were left. There were about 400-500 Catholic Sisters that wore different kinds of habits. All these Sisters needed to go to Mass every day; therefore, the chapels were created in various places on campus so they could attend such masses. Different priests were assigned to give mass.As the college grew, Meadowlands, Fanjeaux, Pennafort, and Edgehill Mansion were all dormitories, and each of these dormitories had a smaller chapel inside. For example, there was a chapel around the 1929-1930s where the common room on the second floor in Fanjeaux is currently located.Around 1994, Father Bob was told by Sister Samuel Conlan, who was the President of the university at that time, that they need a main chapel. They put together a committee called the Edgehill Campaign Committee. They developed various plans for a chapel, one having a chapel right by the gates of Edgehill Mansion Lawn that sits into the hillside.The new chapel that currently stands in Edgehill Mansion is named St. Catherine of Benincasa after the Dominican Saint and Doctor of the Church, Catherine Benincasa. St. Catherine was born the 24th child in the Benincasa family in the town of Siena, Italy.