Kidder Missouri Home to the Thayer Learning Center

KIDDER INSTITUTE - Memory of an old college is kept alive in a tiny town. Now it is the Thayer Learning Center.

Construction of Kidder Institute

Legend has it that a New England traveler came through the tiny town of Kidder, MO, on horseback in 1860. What he saw was a quaint little farming community that had just begun to sprout amid the green hills that seemed to roll on forever and lush, verdant pastures that stretched for miles. This he thought would be the perfect place to build a Christian institution of higher learning. With the help of Congregationalist Church members and Boston businessmen, land was purchased and on June 9, 1869, ground was broken on an impressive Christian learning institution.

Money was scarce, people then so different from today, had to be sold on the idea and value of education. Following the Civil War in Missouri, financial difficulties completing the building continued and from that time on the story unravels with the struggle of the old school of Kidder.

The Name Thayer Learning Center

The new college was named after Nathaniel Thayer, one of its main financiers from the Congregationalist Church in Boston. President Samuel O. Cockran gave the first commencement address on June 26, 1872. Thayer College was an impressive 4-story building but was only in operation for four years, closing in 1876. In 1884, the people realizing more and more as the community grew, the need for a school where their children might be educated, decided on a plan to open the school as a secondary institution known as the Kidder Institute. 70 students from miles around and from Caldwell County paid tuition ranging from $6 to $10 for the fall term of 1884 under the direction of Professor Ramsey. After 5 years of untiring effort, Professor Ramsey asked to be relieved. School attendance rose dramatically in 1889 when Dr. George W. Shaw and his new bride moved from Ohio and took over as Principal. For 43 years they served and dedicated their lives and finances to building this campus and institution.

The School Grows

In 1891, having outgrown old Thayer Hall, a new wooden building was built first used as the ladies hall, and later used as the men's dormitory. This building was capable of housing 24 women and matrons. Dining facilities also served the men rooming out in the town. Again in 1910, having completely outgrown the classroom facilities available on the 1st and 2nd floors of Thayer, the administration building was constructed and the old Thayer Hall was renovated into the Women's Dormitory and Dining Hall.

The Junior College was established in 1922 graduating 7 members in 1924. In 1927, the most cherished dream of Professor Shaw was realized. A beautiful chapel with large stained glass windows and walnut bench seating for 250 students and faculty. A huge gymnasium with a raised oak floor also became the focal point of Northwestern Missouri athletic activities.

Thayer Learning Center Closes

In 1930 the effect of the depression was closing in on the financial success of the institution. Investment funds became worthless. The local people were unable to meet their interest payments on their farm loans and consequently, they could no longer pay tuition for children's education. In 1932, Dr. Shaw passed away after the tremendous financial strain and burden had taken its toll. In 1933 the largest class in history of the Kidder Institute and Junior College held their last sad commencement.

Thayer Re-opens

The buildings remained vacant for 3 years. The Kidder School District decided to take advantage of the offer of the Junior College Board to move their elementary and High School system to the Institute buildings. In 1943 the old Thayer Hall building was demolished. In 1955 the administration building was renamed the Shaw Memorial School. For 48 years, 44 of them under the administration of one man, the institution had passed hundreds of students through her doors. They are in every country of the world, in every walk of life, achieving the highest esteem in every chosen profession.

By 1981 the deteriorating buildings were sold to the City of Kidder and there was no longer a public school or college in the town. The beautiful limestone buildings still stand on the north edge of town. On the front facade of the building is the original biblical motto found in Proverbs 2:2 "Incline Thine Ear Unto Wisdom and Apply Thine Heart Unto Understanding."

Restoration of Thayer Learning Center

In 1995, after sitting vacant for many years, David McEwen from Salt Lake City, Utah purchased the building and campus. Restoration work began on some of the buildings to bring back some of the original splendor and purpose. On September 15, 2002 Mr. McEwen sold the building and 20 acres to John and Willa Bundy and history will repeat itself. The Bundy's are going to open the school again as the "Thayer Learning Center." They selected the name because of the history and the acronym TLC which means "Tender Loving Care." The new school will house youth from ages 13-17 from all over the country. The private school will be a non-denominational Christian based school that will create over 50 jobs initially. The emphasis of the training will be "Love of Country and of God." The youth will be trained in personal responsibility and how to be a "whole person in the world." The present building will be used initially as a dormitory and school and eventually plans are to construct a new dormitory facility adjacent to the school.