6 Things About BB&N:
[1] Shoring up the Musgrave mansion proved to be quite a feat; the entire structure was temporarily supported while more than two feet of dirt, stone, and debris were excavated and two full foundation walls were replaced.
Remembering Craig B. Stonestreet ’49 and Honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Stonestreet Financial Aid and Prize Fund For generations of Browne & Nichols and BB&N alumni/ae, the Stonestreet name brings back memories of a true legend who touched many aspects of life at B&N and BB&N for 35 years. A distinguished member of the B&N Class of 1949, Craig Stonestreet was a talented student-athlete and recipient of the Nichols Prize.
[2] The storage athletic shed beside the parking lot boasts several unusual architectural features: a unique shape that mirrors the curve of the boardwalk entryway, and copper plating along the roof sides to match the look of the main building.
Notable Nuggets from the Middle School Renovation Project
After graduating from Harvard, completing a tour with the U.S. Navy, and earning a Master’s degree in English literature, he was hired as a B&N faculty member in 1956 by Headmaster Edwin Pratt to teach Latin, history, mechanical drawing, and German. Later he also taught American literature and economics. As he once noted, “Being a good teacher… brings with it a satisfaction and sense of accomplishment found nowhere else. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.” [3] During the excavation of the Vaillant Wing basement, workers discovered a trove of old athletic sneakers from the 1950s beneath the mechanical room.
While his first love was clearly teaching, Mr. Stonestreet served the School in multiple capacities over the years including director of the Upper School (1970-1988), assistant headmaster, director of admission, director of studies, director of scheduling, and college counselor. Equally at home in the athletic arena, he also coached multiple teams including soccer, tennis, and football. But basketball (both boys and girls) was where he shone brightest, with his boys teams capturing seven ISL championships in the 1960s and his girls team winning the 1979 New England Prep School title with a record of 18-0. Although leisure time was scarce, he found time to enjoy classical music and run several marathons. Mr. Stonestreet was an accomplished educator but his greatest contribution to BB&N may have been his ability to work with colleagues and students as individuals. Through his uniquely personal approach, he strengthened the institution by making BB&N a welcoming community for students and teachers of all backgrounds, skills, and talents.
[4] ) In keeping with the desire to protect the historic beech trees that overlook the campus, a professional arborist spent more than 100 hours onsite consulting and coordinating the limit of activity in the trees’ critical root zone.
Craig Stonestreet was a part of BB&N for four decades, so it is no surprise that his family was deeply connected with the School. His wife Wilma taught Upper School history, anthropology, and German from 1972 to 1998; his son John is a member of the Class of 1984; and his granddaughter Christina Uhrig is a member of the Class of 2013.
[5] Old planks from the timber construction in the Musgrave house were salvaged and milled to create the paneling in the hallway leading to the new Learning Commons.
[6] During replacement of Musgrave’s foundation walls, much of the stone was saved and repurposed to build the retaining wall outside of the Carriage House and a new wall east of the beech trees, next to the Buckingham Terrace.
When Mr. Stonestreet passed away prematurely from cancer in 1991, his family, colleagues, alumni/ae, and friends chose to honor his memory and distinguished career by establishing the Craig B. Stonestreet ’49 Prize, which is awarded annually to a member of the junior class to recognize high scholarship, excellence in athletics, and constructive influence within the School. Several years later, the Prize Fund was expanded to create the Stonestreet Financial Aid Fund, which provides financial support each year to a talented Upper School scholar-athlete.
Through his uniquely personal approach, he strengthened the institution by making BB&N a welcoming community for students and teachers of all backgrounds, skills, and talents.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni/ae, family, and friends, the Stonestreet Financial Aid and Prize Fund has grown considerably over the years. To honor the Stonestreet legacy and mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Fund, we invite additional contributions to the Fund to enable BB&N to continue supporting talented and deserving students for generations to come. For further information or to make a contribution, please contact Janet Rosen at 617-800-2729 or jrosen@bbns.org.