Mira Smith Hoffman, of New Bedford, married chemical industrialist William Henry Hoffman in 1892. The Hoffmans lived on Rumstick Point in Barrington. After William's death in 1916, Mira devoted her resources to the development of Girl Scouts of the USA. During World War I, Mira organized the first Barrington Girl Scout Troop, Eagle Troop No. 1, at the Nayatt School. Reflecting national interest in military service, the troop had a marching band and bugle corps.
In 1920, she initiated resident camping by leasing farmland on Prudence Island north of Sandy Point. In 1921, as treasurer for the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, she purchased Briggs Farm, including Larkin Pond, in West Kingston for Camp Hoffman. The nation's third oldest resident camp, Camp Hoffman remains one of the finest Girl Scout Camps in America. Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scout movement in America visited the Hoffman home in 1921. Mrs. Herbert Hoover, wife of the president and national president of the Girl Scouts of the USA, had already secretly visited Mrs. Hoffman. Mira succeeded Mrs. Hoover as vice-president of the National Council of Girl Scouts from 1923 to 1928, and then became national president from 1928 to 1930. After 1930, she served as an honorary vice-president.
Active in educational organizations, Mira was the first woman member of the Rhode Island State Board of Education, and became a trustee of Rhode Island College. Locally, Mira was a founder and first president of the Maple Avenue Community House, which provided educational and recreational services from 1918 to 1937 to Barrington's expanding Italian immigrant population.
Biography and image provided by Barrington Preservation Society
Built with Shorthand