Hidden HERstories | Helen Thayer

Helen Thayer
Boston University B.A. Class of 1910

Helen Thayer was a local teacher who graduated from Boston University with an A.B. degree in 1910. She began teaching at Watertown High School in 1920 and was one of the earliest women math and science teachers in the area. For the next 38 years, she would teach at Watertown High School, and as an avid photographer, would document the lives of her students, including Armenian, Muslim, and Asian students immigrating to the area, Black students, and (possibly) LGBTQ+ students. A collection of her photos and professional and personal papers are preserved by the Watertown Library. Thayer died in 1976 at the age of 87.

Art Piece

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Full Biography

Photo likely taken by Helen Thayer of her classroom, 1946

Helen Thayer
Boston University B.A. Class of 1910

Helen Augusta Thayer (1889-1976) was a science and math teacher who graduated from Boston University with an A.B. degree in 1910. She began teaching at Watertown High School in 1920 and was one of the earliest women math and science teachers in the area, becoming beloved by her many students over the years. She also left behind a rich archive of photographic materials documenting the lives of young people in the Boston area.

Helen was born in 1889 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She attended Roberts Grammar School and Cambridge English High School before attending BU. After graduating in 1910, Helen taught science and French in Brimfield, Massachusetts at Hitchcock Free Academy, before beginning to teach science and math at Watertown High School in 1918. She would teach in the science and math departments there for the next 38 years.

In addition to teaching such courses as trigonometry, chemistry, and biology, Helen was a photographer and advised the student camera club at Watertown High. An incredible collection of her photos and professional and personal papers is preserved by the Watertown Library that offer insight to this time. The collection includes photos of her classmates at Cambridge English High School, classmates at BU, students and colleagues at Hitchcock Free Academy, as well as her students and camera club members in Watertown. She documented lives of students and friends, including Armenian, Muslim, and Asian students immigrating to the area, Black students, and (potentially) LGBTQ+ students (see photos below). She would also go on to travel the world, and documented her time in Cuba, China, Canada, and elsewhere.

Given the inscriptions on photo portraits signed to her, it seems that many students appreciated “Miss Thayer” enough to leave their memories with her in photographic form. Affectionate notes appear such as “Best wishes to Miss Thayer” and “Lots of luck”; others left more profound notes such as the following:

“Miss Thayer — Here’s to bigger and better camera clubs Walter – ’40”

“My fondest memories of school lies right in your class because you have made last and final year a joyous one. I’ll always remember you no matter where I am.”

“To my favorite H.S. teacher––I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and informality of your classes. And besides having fun, I must admit that I did learn chemistry and trig.”

The joy and playfulness in written inscriptions and in the photos themselves attests to the positive atmosphere Helen cultivated around learning and social relationships. This is especially notable given the era of her career, which spanned what were inevitably difficult years to reside in the US, especially for immigrant families like those in Watertown. Thayer eventually retired from teaching in 1958, and died in 1976 at the age of 87. As is clear in her archive in Watertown, she leaves behind a legacy of enthusiasm for her students, STEM, photography, and a joy of learning.

Artist Statement

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