Mason Sereno Stone was born in Waterbury on this day in 1859. Stone became influential in the field of education, serving as superintendant of schools, not only in Vermont, but in the Philippines as well.

While in Manila, he wrote countless articles about the Philippine people. Stone wrote about Phillipino culture, traditions, languanges, economies and examined how all aspects of their lives stemmed from or influenced their education.

Stone was emphatic in his desire to better educate the “Filipinos,” but cautious about impacting their culture with characteristics from American culture.

Photograph courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.