Anna Barrows (1861 – February 11, 1948) was an American educator and author, known for being a pioneering woman in the field of

home economics Home economics, also called domestic science or family and consumer sciences, is a subject concerning human development, personal and family finances, consumer issues, housing and interior design, nutrition and food preparation, as well as texti ...

. She contributed to the foundation of the Home Economics Movement through her unique demonstrations, lectures, and radio interviews. She belonged to many organizations, such as the

New England Woman's Press Association The New England Woman's Press Association (NEWPA) was founded by six Boston newspaper women in 1885 and incorporated in 1890. By the turn of the century it had over 150 members. NEWPA sought not only to bring female colleagues together and further ...

, the

American Home Economics Association American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is an American professional association that networks professionals in the area of family and consumer science. It was founded in 1908 as the American Home Economics Association by Ellen ...

, the

General Federation of Women's Clubs The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), founded in 1890 during the Progressive Movement, is a federation of over 3,000 women's clubs in the United States which promote civic improvements through volunteer service. Many of its activities ...

, the National Society of D.A.R., and the Fryeburg Women's Literary Club.

Early life

Barrows was born in

Fryeburg, Maine Fryeburg is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,369 at the 2020 census. Fryeburg is home to Fryeburg Academy, a semi-private preparatory school, and the International Musical Arts Institute. The town is also s ...

. She attended the

Fryeburg Academy Fryeburg Academy, founded in 1792, is one of the oldest private schools in the United States, located in Fryeburg, Maine. Among notable faculty, Daniel Webster was one of the first Heads of School, teaching at the school for a year. Boarding stu ...

, and after graduating began teaching in public schools in Fryeburg, Maine, and Conway, New Hampshire. She then attended the

Boston Cooking School The Boston Cooking School was founded in 1879 by the Women’s Education Association of BostonNot to be confused with the Women's Educational and Industrial Union. "to offer instruction in cooking to those who wished to earn their livelihood as cook ...

, graduating in 1886.

Educational roles

Along with being a member of the School Committee of the City of Boston she held teaching positions in several nearby schools, such as the North Bennett Street Industrial School in Boston, the School of Domestic Science in Boston, the

YWCA The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swi ...

in Boston,

Lasell Seminary Lasell University (LU) is a private university in Auburndale, Massachusetts. Lasell offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields of study. History Lasell was founded in 1851 as the Auburndal ...

in Auburndale, and the Robinson Female Seminary in Exeter, New Hampshire. She then went on to become the Director of the Summer School of Domestic Science in Chautauqua, N.Y., and following that she became a lecturer at the Teacher's College of

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

Contributions

Anna Barrows at Farmers Week, 1918 (5763900404)

Barrows was known for her humorous and philosophical cooking demonstrations, which ran in high demand in the women's circles of the 1920s. Having an extensive background and passion for the history of cooking led her to become a very skillful and entertaining lecturer. She was also a key member of the Home Economics Movement, taking a crucial role in advocating culinary education. Barrows also published several culinary books, as well as books on

domestic science Home economics, also called domestic science or family and consumer sciences, is a subject concerning human development, personal and family finances, consumer issues, housing and interior design, nutrition and food preparation, as well as texti ...

, and lent her influence to the Extension Work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her 1907 publication ''Eggs: Facts and Fancies About Them'', addressed many culinary techniques and applications for eggs. Other works of hers such as ''Principles of Cookery'', her 1914 publication, were broader in their aim to teach culinary practices.

Selected publications

''Eggs: Facts and Fancies About Them''
(1890). Boston, MA: D. Lothrop Company. * ''Principles of Cookery'' (1914). Chicago, IL: American School of Home Economics.

Early life

Educational roles

Contributions

Selected publications

References

Further reading