Stoeckel, Ellen Battell (1851–1939)

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Stoeckel, Ellen Battell (1851–1939)

American philanthropist. Name variations: Ellen Battell Terry. Born Mar 10, 1851, in Norfolk, CT; died May 5, 1939, in Norfolk; dau. of Robbins Battell (CT state comptroller) and Ellen Ryerson (Mills) Battell; m. Frederick Peet Terry, Feb 5, 1873 (died 1874); Carl Stoeckel (organist and Yale music teacher), May 6, 1895); children: (1st m.) 1 son.

With husband, founded Litchfield County Choral Union (1899); built private, 1,500-seat auditorium in Norfolk to accommodate popular choral union and Norfolk musical festivals (1906); willed entire family estate to Yale University to establish summer schools of music and art. Norfolk Festivals became model for other summer music festivals in New England.