First home of St Mary's honoured with a blue plaque

History

33 Claypath was established on 22 April 1899 as the first residential accommodation for female students, four years after University Senate had allowed women to study for degrees.

In 1897, the first six female students were granted scholarships. In 1899, the women's hostel was established in rented accommodation at 33 Claypath to house them, with Miss Laura Maria Roberts appointed as principal.

The women's hostel gained "college" status in 1919 and was renamed St Mary's in 1920.

St Mary’s College is now on Elvet Hill Road in Durham and is home to both men and women students as of 2005. The site later became the city's post office and is now a housing location managed by Anchor, England's largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life.

Current College Principal Professor Adrian Simpson unveiled the blue plaque alongside Anne Elliott, volunteer archivist at St Mary’s and alumna, Councillor Susan Walker, Chair of the City of Durham Parish Council and Councillor Carole Lattin, Chair of the City of Durham Parish Council’s Environment Committee and St Mary's alumna.

Amongst those present at the unveiling were current Claypath Court residents.

Margaret Fox-Baldwin said:

"Although Claypath Court is mainly known as the Old Post Office, it is good to have a permanent reminder of the building's previous history."

Edwin Robinson, Anchor's Claypath Court's oldest resident at 97-years-old, said:

"Having visited and lived in Durham city for over 70 years, I was unaware of the history of the building. My late wife Marjorie, who was from Durham, would point out places of note but I think a blue plaque will inform the awareness of present and future generations of the building's history."

The reception

After the unveiling, guests were invited for a light lunch at Christchurch, located next door to Claypath Court. Speeches were made and the City of Durham Parish council presented Adrian Simpson with the original plaque that was installed to mark St Mary’s 100th anniversary in 1999.

Adrian Simpson said:

"We are delighted that the city has chosen to recognise the founding of St Mary's College and the ongoing commitment of Durham University and St Mary's to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Those first women who resided at 33 Claypath 125 years ago were pioneers: their stories continue to inspire us to think about how we can improve access and widen participation for under-represented groups from all areas of society."

Councillor Carole Lattin, chair of the parish council's environment committee and a St Mary's alumna, said:

"I am thrilled that the City of Durham Parish Council has funded this blue plaque honouring the site of the former women's hostel at 33 Claypath. This historic site marked the beginning of St Mary's College and a pioneering chapter in Durham University's history, offering women a residential opportunity for higher education equal to men. It is a tribute to the women who broke barriers and a reminder of the progress made in access to education. This plaque ensures their legacy is celebrated for generations to come."

The unveiling was a fantastic event to mark the 125th anniversary and history of St Mary’s College.

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Read more:

• About St Mary's 125th Anniversary celebrations
• About St Marys 125 objects
• About St Mary's College
• About St Mary's Gala Dinner
• About St Mary's alumni and friends 
• About our alumni community