bardwell graduated from mount holyoke college in 1866 and remained to teach there for 33 years. she taught algebra, trigonometry, physics, and astronomy. she was also the director of the john payson williston observatory at the college from its opening in 1881 until 1896, during which time she oversaw its growth. improvements in telescopes allowed her and her students to observe sunspots, lunar occulations, and variable stars. the astronomy program became a popular course of study with nearly 20% of students choosing to enroll in an astronomy class between 1896-1976 after the college introduced an astronomy major in 1895. the development of the observatory and the course itself laid the groundwork for the next generation of female astronomy professors at the college, such as anne sewell young.