Helen Augusta Legate (1858-1945) was born in California and spent her childhood in Leominster, Mass., where she lived on Legate Hill. As a young adult, Helen taught at Leominster High School, before moving to Concord, Mass. In 1885, she became principal of West Concord High School and, later, of the Emerson School (formerly located at the corner of Stow and Hubbard Streets). In 1911, she became the first principal of the Peter Bulkeley School, where she worked until her retirement in 1923, after 38 years in the field of education. Never married, Helen was active in local community organizations. She belonged to the Concord Women's Club, Ladies' Tuesday Club, Women's Parish Association and the Concord Art Association. Notably, Helen was a friend of the Emerson family and at the time of her death she was living in what was once the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson on the Cambridge Turnpike. Helen maintained a friendship with Emerson's daughters, Ellen Tucker Emerson (1839-1909) and Edith Emerson Forbes (1841-1929), and his son, Dr. Edward Waldo Emerson (1844-1930). Helen accompanied Edward Emerson and his wife and daughter (Ellen Emerson Davenport, 1880-1921) on an extended trip to Europe in 1904 and 1905.
From the description of Helen Legate papers, 1898-1923. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 689573630
