Celebrating 150 Years of Each Girl’s Success
Dear Oldfields Family, As I admire and appreciate the lovely archival photographs and other remembrances in this commemorative magazine, I am poignantly aware that what makes the “soul” of Oldfields unique has changed very little since the School’s founding 150 years ago. Reading the excerpts from Mary McPherson’s A Feeling of Family, I am struck by the unwavering emphasis that has always been placed on individuality, optimism, caring, and tradition. In 1867, when Anna Austen McCulloch began teaching her children and neighbors in the house on the hill, she envisioned a school where the education of each student would be based on her individual strengths, her interests, and her willingness and confidence to learn. Harriet Jones, one of our earliest alumnae and later teacher, wrote, “Mrs. McCulloch’s regard for the individuality of her pupils was so great that it led her to discard, as far as possible, the machinery of education. More than is usually the case, it rested with the pupil whether she got much or little out of her stay at school.” As a member of the Oldfields family, a student is accepted and valued for who she is. Her intellectual, moral, and physical development is nurtured and encouraged in a safe, family-like environment, within a culture of kindness and respect. We believe, as Anna Austen McCulloch’s grandson, Duncan McCulloch, Jr., wrote in 1952, that “education is a lifelong process, and the School tries to develop vigorous interests and a broad outlook in its students and to prepare a girl for life.” Woven throughout the Oldfields experience are the traditions, both longstanding and recent, that we all remember with nostalgia and fondness - especially Green and White Night, Founder’s Day, Alumnae Weekend, Garden Party, and Graduation. Throughout this sesquicentennial year, these traditions have honored our special anniversary. The school year opened under the banner of the all-school theme, “Honoring our Past, Embracing our Future” and the beautiful “Then and Now” calendar. At Founder’s Day, the community learned about the early years of the School through a historical video produced by the Development Office. Our current students are fascinated by the showcases around campus that are filled
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with memorabilia such as vintage uniforms, the first diploma, antique jewelry, and early photographs that give a glimpse into the worlds of the girls who came before them. The 2016-17 student publications, Tidbit and Rarebit, incorporate photographs and stories from their predecessors’ early publications. Several academic disciplines incorporated timelines, illustrating how campus culture reflected what was occurring around the world across the decades. The culminating celebration of Oldfields’ 150 years will take place on Alumnae Weekend, April 28-30, 2017, with a host of special activities starting with the dedication of the Hawley & Wendy Rogers Wing on Friday evening. The highlight of the weekend is the 150th Celebration on Saturday evening, complete with live music, wonderful food, fireworks, and best of all, great company as you reconnect with your Oldfields family! Over the past three decades, I have been honored to witness the way in which each student continues to benefit from Anna Austen McCulloch’s founding principle of creating an environment that fosters “a feeling of family.” I have seen how each girl can develop the confidence, the optimistic outlook, the caring spirit, and the motivation to strive to reach her highest potential and to be an example for others around her to do the same. I have experienced the excitement of returning students as they describe our many traditions to new students. Alumnae and current students, regardless of graduation year, are united by our wonderful traditions. While the tools and methods we use to fulfill the School’s mission have changed over 150 years, the dedication of the Oldfields family to each girl’s success remains a reassuring constant. I hope you enjoy the glimpse back in time. I know we all will enjoy looking forward to the future of Oldfields, together. With warm regards,
Ansley D. Smithwick Interim Head of School
Oldfields School • 1500 Glencoe Road • Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152 • 410-472-4800 • Fax: 410-472-3141
1867
In 1867, Anna Austen McCulloch moved home to Glencoe from Staten Island with her husband, John Sears McCulloch, and their eight children to live in the yellow clapboard farmhouse, known to us as Old House, on the family farm called Old Fields.
The place grows on me every day. It has great natural beauties. The house is a homely farmhouse, but roomy, sunshiny, clean, convenient. – ANNA AUSTEN MCCULLOCH
In providing an education for the younger members of the family, it seemed logical that Anna should include some of her nieces and nephews and a few local children in her classes. The resident pupil that first year was Mattie Moseley, a ward of her brother’s. Anna never liked to feel that she was running a formal school; she always claimed that she “took a few young ladies
Anna Austen McCulloch, Founder and Principal 1867-1904
to educate them.” But obviously, in its initial years, Oldfields was a
A description of Anna by her early students embodies an
coeducational school, most of whose
ideal that still guides the School to this day, “We knew
scholars were of elementary
Mrs. McCulloch to be a rare soul, one who gave a large
school age.
interpretation to life and ennobled through her faith. She saw – she was not blind to our deficiencies – but she looked beyond them in hope, and we, loving and revering her for that hope, strove to overtake it.”
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1868-1879 The house had no modern conveniences whatsoever. Saturday night was ‘tub night,’ and we all got our tin pails or pitchers of hot water in the kitchen and carried them to our rooms. We also had oil lamps throughout the house. We sat at one long table in the dining room, and it seemed like one big family. – LILA BURTON
In 1868, “Little Mary Carroll,” “Little Alie McMurran,” and “The Memphis Girls,” Janet and Ella Royston and their cousins Rosa Bailey and Flora Lake, had become students. One might be surprised that Oldfields drew pupils from so far afield at that early date, but they came through family connections, and each year the number of students Anna’s children, Miss Abby, Miss Carry, Miss Nan, and Mr. Ned, helped her with the School. Mr. Ned taught math, Miss Carry instructed on painting and drawing, while Miss Nan taught music.
An early version of Garden House was built as a workshop for Mr. Ned, whose hobbies included photography and raising chickens. Hence the hill west of the School was named “Chicken Hill."
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increased again.
As of 1870, the daily schedule began with prompt rising and time for devotions before
The girls had nutting parties in the fall,
breakfast. She who was late for breakfast
coasting parties in winter, fishing expeditions
ate a slice of unbuttered bread at a side
in spring, and walks through the woods to
table. Then came morning recitations (or
gather wildflowers or to chip garnets from
classes), midday dinner, a sewing hour, a daily walk, music hour, supper, and a study
Although Oldfields was never a church school,
hour at the school room table. The order of
the McCulloch family was instrumental in the
these activities apparently changed from
construction of Immanuel Episcopal Church
year to year, but remained much the same
across the street from Oldfields, which was
in content for decades.
consecrated in June 1873.
As the size of the School increased, by 1875 it was necessary to have the girls sign a contract.
the rocks.
By 1878 there were ten resident students, in addition to the McCulloch family, attending Oldfields School.
The day we most delight to recall is Friday. It was full of pleasures from morning to evening. During the school hours, there were reviews, compositions, and poetry; and later came charades, games, and the Virginia Reel (a popular dance of the day). – HATTIE WINCHESTER
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1880-1889
In 1880, the new part of Old House was attached to the west side of the original farmhouse, but there were still no modern conveniences. What is now Miss Nan’s Library was “the long schoolroom,” used as a study hall and dance floor for the next 26 years until New House was built. In 1881, Oldfields’ first international student, Carolyn Hall, arrived from Argentina. By 1885, there were 20 resident students!
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Spartan life was fashionable at Oldfields,
The most frequently reported “sins” were
and cleanliness was pursued relentlessly.
talking during devotions, lateness, breaking
Every morning, pails of water were carried
bounds, and eating in the bedrooms.
to all the bedrooms so that the girls could wash and dress before devotions and breakfast.
There were visits to nearby family houses like Hillside and Clynmalira (still standing on Carroll Road), straw rides in the spring moonlight, and even the occasional concert in Baltimore.
For warmth in the schoolroom, there was a Franklin stove. Anna Austen McCulloch sat in front of it with her worn Bible, her little blue clock, and sundry papers. When the clock hand pointed to ten minutes of one, classes stopped, and the mail bag was brought in so that letters could be distributed before dinner.
The ponies remained popular, though they were described as stubborn and unmanageable. One girl even preserved some of “The Rat’s” tail hairs in her locket! Sometimes free time was spent in useful labor. Carolyn Hall recalled helping to lay bricks for a walkway. After such outdoor activities, the sewing hour brought everyone together again. As the girls sewed or mended, a teacher would read aloud from Pride and Prejudice or a similar novel. 5
1890-1899
Anna never had a circular for the School because she always depended on word of mouth to get her students, most of whom came from the north and the east because of family connections. Anna Austen McCulloch writes to a prospective parent…
As to elective studies, having only 20 children, and having trained girls for 20 years, I judge for them and with them what is best. I am governed by their health, mental ability, previous studies, and their own preferences. I deal with them as though they were my own children.
The academic program included English language, reading, history, geography, and Latin. German and French were taught by “native speakers.” Higher mathematics and physics were taught “by a gentleman,” and Anna taught Bible, higher literature, art study, and a nature class, which included botany and natural history.
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Miss Harriet Jones, herself having been an Oldfields pupil, was the first “officially trained� teacher on the faculty when
The rooms are comfortably warm, and usually two girls share a room and are responsible for making their own beds. Towels and napkins are all the furnishing necessary, but they may bring other things. Simple dresses that are suitable for the country life are all that is needed and some prettier evening dress for the little weekly dances – just among ourselves. A riding dress is well to bring .
she returned to the School in 1897. She established the first library for the girls and initiated the May Day ceremony at the top of the hill just off the front porch of Old House.
As to holidays, there are two - of two weeks each - at Christmas and Easter. The girls go on Sunday afternoons for a walk, write letters home, sometimes sing together in the evening.
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1900-1909 The first May Queen on record, Polly Dodds, was crowned in 1901. In the early days, any girl was eligible for the honor and was chosen by her fellow students. Also chosen were Flora, Maid of Honor, Crown Bearer, a group of “bridesmaids,” the singers, and the Maypole dancers. Anna Austen McCulloch died on Palm Sunday 1904, while her girls were away for their Easter holiday. Anna’s students’ appreciation, love, and respect for her was demonstrated in a lifelong devotion to her and to the School she founded. Upon Anna’s death, her daughter, Miss Nan, became the Principal of the School. By 1907, her brother, the Reverend Duncan McCulloch, became co-principal.
Anna Green McCulloch,
"Miss Nan", Principal 1904-1928
Two teams were formed which developed such intense rivalry that heated arguments often arose.. in the midst of one of these noisy disputes came a quiet voice from an onlooker, "Gentleness and Courtesy are expected of all." – KITTY POOLE '10
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Early Years Alumnae Day
Sports had become acceptable, even popular. Although there were no organized games, the girls played tennis and basketball, as well as enjoyed sledding and skating.
In 1906, New House was built as enrollment continued to grow. Running water and central heat were available after the building of New House, but there was still no electricity. What passed for a gym for the next six years was a low-ceilinged room in the basement. By 1908, there were 40 students, and it was quite customary for a girl to join School at mid-year. Examinations were held twice a year, and one of the anticipated pleasures of spring was receiving the Oldfields ring.
The School's motto was adopted by unanimous vote.
Fortezza Ed Umilitade E Largo Core Courage ,Humility, The tradition of paying attention to each girl’s development while modernizing
In 1908, Old House was painted white
course content and pedagogy continued. The School developed a two-track
to match New House. The infirmary was
system: a four-year program called Intermediate Grade and a three-year
in a separate house where McCulloch
program called Academic Grade, for girls interested in attending college.
Commons now stands.
and Largeness of Heart
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By 1911, the basic cost had risen to $800 with extra fees for church, infirmary costs, dancing, and music. By 1912
1910-1919
there were about 60 students in residence.
After lunch, we leapt from the table as fast as we could go and scattered all over the place for athletics. You had to do something for your side – the Greens or the Whites – and everything you did counted. At Study Hall, even, we were marked for our posture – as a result, we always sat straight without touching the back of the chair. We thought posture was awfully important in those days. – KATHERINE YOUNG HECK ‘19
Finally, in 1912, a “real” gym was built, tacked on to the end of New House by a covered passage, and it even had showers! By 1916, the School was putting more emphasis on athletics and riding, which was felt to furnish exercise both healthful and pleasant. Reverend McCulloch advocated Swedish exercises with Indian clubs (bowling pin shaped wooden weights), an unpopular innovation which resulted in some parents 10
removing their daughters.
In 1917, the School’s 50th Anniversary was celebrated with a meeting of the Oldfields Association, followed by a luncheon on the lawn and a brief church service at Immanuel Church, setting a pattern for many years to come. Planned as a two-day event, over 250 guests arrived for the reception and a student pageant.
To me, the most unusual happening at O ldfields was when Miss Nan went running through the halls with our old school bell in both hands –ringing and ringing and slinging it as she rang, to relate to us the ending of World War I. – KATHERINE YOUNG HECK '19
In 1919, Renee duPont Donaldson ’14 established several annual prizes to be awarded on Alumnae Day; prizes for prose, poetry, best athlete, and a cup to the winner of the Green and White basketball tournament.
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In 1920, when the girls returned from Christmas vacation, they found Oldfields “electrified!”
1920-1929
Rarebit started as a literary paper, and by June 1920, made its first appearance as a real yearbook.
I remember the walks, in (and out of!) bounds; to beautiful old Clymalira, down the " Blue Road", to the spout, to the Gunpowder (out of bounds), to the railroad tracks for an unchaperoned swim in April, just to be a "freezin’ first." – MARIA MCKENNY '20
Green and White Night took a variety of forms in different eras, but recollections as early as 1920 demonstrated that it was always a highly anticipated event filled with excitement and a bit of trepidation. Stories include new girls running errands for old girls, having to wear their hair in braids, standing in the dark gym until the candles were lit, and then one by one, their names and colors were called out.
What joy! Finally you were a Green or White!
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There were two academic programs – a General Course and a College Preparatory Course. There was still no rigid grading system. A girl could advance in areas of strength and concentrate in areas of weakness. There was, however, a level of achievement to be reached before a diploma was awarded.
Three students shared one narrow closet and had, at most, three drawers. Rooms were inspected at least once a day and a prize for The Reverend Duncan McCulloch, Principal 1928-1932
neatness was awarded at the end of the year. There was one bathroom for twenty girls and only one tub.
The first major addition of the 1920s was the extension of the dining room, a gift from the alumnae. At about the same time, the two open verandas that stretched along the side of New House (now the business manager’s office and the communications office) were enclosed.
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1930-1939 In November 1932, The Reverend Duncan McCulloch died and was succeeded by his son, Duncan McCulloch, Jr., known as “Pa,” who returned to the School’s earlier emphasis on the development of the individual and the fostering of her strengths.
Several prestigious women’s colleges announced that they would accept any Oldfields graduate on the recommendation of the School.
We were always laughing! We studied hard and we also enjoyed ourselves. We danced with one another in the gym before study hall and listened to the Big Bands on the one available radio in the girls’ sitting room. We sunbathed on Chicken Hill, and “slipped away” for walks by the Gunpowder in the cool of evening. – LIBBY BROWN CARSON '36
Duncan McCulloch, Jr., “Pa,” Principal 1932-1960
Every morning each girl had to curtsy to Miss Sturgis at breakfast.
In 1930-31, enrollment was at a peak of 102, but hard times were beginning to make themselves felt, as the number of students dropped to 65 in 1932-33 and to 46 the following year.
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In 1936, Oldfields gained notoriety when King Edward VIII of England gave up his throne to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson ’14. Every effort was made to prevent reporters from talking to the girls, and the entire episode was treated as an unfortunate intrusion into the life of a school that had never sought publicity.
In 1934, it was decided to renovate the study hall as the new library, which was dedicated to Miss Nan, and to build an assembly room opening off the gym with a stage equipped with curtains and lights. A projection booth at the back of the hall made moviewatching a feature of many weekends.
1937 saw the low point in the School’s enrollment with only ten seniors and a total student body of 42.
The School uniform consisted of a dark green wool tunic in winter and a lighter green wool one in summer, white blouse, long black cotton stockings, and a very long matching sash with black fringe at the ends, and of course, brown loafers. Later in the decade, a button-down-the-front cotton dress took the place of the tunic. After the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1939, Oldfields girls participated in the war effort through “Knittin’ for Britain,” contributing money to British war relief, and preparing parcels for merchant seamen.
No doubt O ldfields ool even for its sch was an old-fashioned down the feeling put time. But I cannot e spoken in defense ld b that a good word shou larly the high rticu of its outlook, and pa G entlenss and to importance it attached Courtesy. – WA LL IS
S IM P S O N WA R FI EL D
'1 4
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1940-1949 In 1940, the School sought accreditation by the Middle Atlantic Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and was commended for the individualized scheduling, its Bible and art courses, the guidance in personal and spiritual development, the respect shown by the students for their leaders, the student-teacher ratio, and the good relationship of “Ma” and “Pa” McCulloch with the girls. Oldfields was accredited, which it has been at ten-year intervals ever since. World War II brought changes to Oldfields. Garden House was closed to save fuel and electricity, as many students as possible were housed in Old House, rationing of gas and tires curtailed school transportation, and girls became used to walking to and from Glencoe Station when going on privileges. In other ways, life at Oldfields remained much what it had always been in tone, expectations, and daily routine.
We ate all of our meals in that lovely glass dining room with a small French-only room as a part of it. 1 loved the wood tables. We had waitresses and real linen napkins. But then we were suddenly at war – the waitresses left for factories and the men taking care of the horses went to war. – ALICE WILLIAMS HINMAN ‘42
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Oldfields Uniforms 1944-45
In May 1942, the School’s 75th birthday was celebrated in a modest affair, as there were no extra funds to finance it. Despite wartime restrictions, 75 alumnae attended the celebration. A great elm tree was for many years an important landmark at Oldfields. Everyone met “under the elm” to board the bus or the station wagons, just as in later days they met “on the cement” and now “at the crosswalks.”
My great friend Nancy Donaldson, daughter of Renee DuPont of an earlier year, who had been a student officer, told me that they had had a meeting with Duncan McCulloch about my bad behavior, and Duncan replying, "1 have always found that if you can turn the naughtiest student around, she can become a great prop of the School." 1 later became a student officer myself! – MIRANDA MACINTOSH FREER '44
Traditions included going to Gookie’s (Miss Gorsuch) for treats, “Pa” McCulloch’s final dinner for seniors at which they were made to feel grown-up by being offered a cigarette, and riding on the old fire engine as part of Graduation rites. Misdemeanors included using the “Red Velvet” stairs without permission, the occasional “deep wade” in the Gunpowder, wearing tennis togs under church clothes in an effort to get a court, and hiding contraband in the crawl spaces under the eaves. Most demerits were earned for lateness, untidiness, talking at the wrong time, note writing, running in the halls, and 1942 marked the arrival of Helen Travers,
chewing gum.
the beloved “Miss Herky,” who came right
Not until 1949, well after the end of WWII,
from college to take charge of the physical education program and stayed for 40 years, serving in a variety of capacities. A little later in the decade, Miss Lorna Kelly arrived
did wartime restrictions and shortages disappear and enrollment increase noticeably.
to teach history. Two of the School’s highest awards are named for Miss Herky and Miss Kelly. 17
1950-1959
In the spring of 1950, only 45 students were enrolled, but by that fall, the numbers had grown to 65. For the rest of the decade the numbers continued to increase, passing the planned limit of 75 as it became apparent that rising costs could only be met by a larger student body.
In 1952, an Annual Giving program was
The number of college-bound students increased
Music teacher Chesley Kahmann wrote an
adopted to help the School meet the costs of
each year, and the girls were taking the SAT and
original song, “Prayer at Nightfall” which
its operations and for building projects, as
achievement tests in specific subjects if they were
became a favorite of the girls and later the
wear, tear, and wartime shortages had taken
applying to four-year colleges. Each marking
School song, “Sheep on the Hill.”
their toll on the campus.
period, a girl attempted to meet the average set for her, competing with herself, not with others,
I was part of a class of 12, one of the smallest since the School began. This was due to the fact that we were born during the Depression and times were still tough after World War II. We had to be waitresses in the dining room because there wasn’t enough help. It was good training and I was able to eat extra desserts.
bringing rewards within everyone’s reach.
– ALICE WILLIAMS HINMAN '42
Miss Herky continued to coach winning teams in hockey, tennis, and basketball, though the basketball facilities were so inadequate that all varsity games had to be played at other schools.
Parents had generously donated a new stable and better horses. It was a campus joke that the horses had better accommodations than either students or faculty! The Riding Program became more popular and accomplished than ever, foxhunting with the Elkridge-Harford hounds and competing (and winning!) in interschool shows, as well as the International Show in Harrisburg and Washington. The entire school community turned out to enjoy the series of point-to-point races that herald the coming of spring in the Maryland countryside. 18
The first Parents’ Weekend debuted in 1953, immediately following Alumnae Day in April. The cowbell still awakened everyone in the morning, and the Duty Teacher still did evening rounds. Crowds of girls jostled each other in the Jungle before meals or struggled to be first in line for the post office or bank. A coin-operated washer and dryer were installed in the basement of New House, and a TV set appeared in Gookie’s. In 1957, a permanent Alumnae Office was established at the School to
By 1957, the School’s 90th birthday,
In his final year as Headmaster, Duncan
construction had begun on the center part of
McCulloch, Jr. presented his special prize, a
Centennial Dormitory, as most students were
Bible to Helena Hallock ’60 and retired the
crowded into Old and New House. The two
very special and personal award, which had
wings were completed by fall of 1959.
only been given ten times to “girls who made
Each student, for the first time, was provided
an exceptional contribution to the happiness
with a desk and a reading lamp, making
and welfare of the School.”
room study possible.
organize class agents, keep in touch with the alumnae, and plan Alumnae Days.
Mary McPherson, author of the Oldfields history Feeling of Family, arrived to teach in the fall of 1958.
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1960-1969
The 1960s was a decade of change for Oldfields, much as it was for the country at large. The faculty expanded and brought their families to campus with them. Construction on campus soared as the number of students exceeded 100, and Oldfields worked towards integration. Traditions evolved during the decade. There was still a Garden Party, but few knew the name of Miss Alie. The May Queen ceremony remained as part of Graduation, although
Iconic Faculty!
the singing, recitations, and May Pole dance gradually disappeared. The Posture Club, once so prestigious, fell
• Miss Herky adds Dean of Students to her responsibilities as Director of Physical Education.
victim to the times.
• Mary McPherson becomes Academic Dean and Head Resident. • Joe and Dotty Hordubay arrive in 1966 and stay for 40 years!
George S. Nevens, Jr.,
• James Beck becomes Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds and “works miracles” as he lovingly cares for the campus for 40 years.
Headmaster 1960-1975
In 1960, George S. Nevens, Jr. became the first head of School outside of the founding family, bringing a new perspective to the position. His two sons were the first small children to live on campus in several decades. The Pond House was bought from the Mowell estate.
Gookie and her “tea house” remained a fixture until June 1960, when the students, with faculty supervision, took over the job.
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All students were required to take the SAT. About half
For a time, a literary magazine, The Tidbit, was published
attended two-year colleges and half went to four-year schools.
by the Junior Class. As of 1969, students were to study in their rooms unless
In 1962-63, the fee for tuition and board was $3,100. Piano and riding were extra, as were books, supplies, and
specifically placed in supervised study by one of their
laundry. Every girl came with a budget planned by her family
teachers, and juniors and seniors were allowed to smoke
and was required to balance her checkbook and live within
on campus with parental permission.
her income. Borrowing and charge cards were not allowed.
Several African-American students in the later 60s enrolled at Oldfields, were academically successful, and adapted well to the Oldfields community, while others struggled with the cultural differences and ended up leaving the School. Green and White Night was greatly anticipated and dreaded. It was in the early 60s that the team mascots were first adopted – the Greens’ dinosaur, a mascot of the Sinclair Oil Company, came as a gift to Susie Hadden Lawrence ’65 from her brother. Not to be outdone, the Whites adopted the Esso Tiger as their mascot.
Mr. Nevens instituted surprise “free days” to afford everyone a break from routine. Every time one occurred, he found some different way of informing the girls, a tradition that endures to this day.
New fall and spring uniforms in pretty pastel colors! The old girls didn’t have to buy the new uniforms and of course we clung to our ugly uniforms as a badge of “oldness” (or just sheer perversity!) until our graduation day. We were the last class to have to wear them and were proud of it!
New Facilities!
• McCulloch Commons House • Headmaster’s House of • Alumnae Gymnasium, made possible by generosity alumnae • Carroll House • Sturgis Dorm • Swimming Pool • Caesar Rodney Hall, funded by donations from parents and friends in the Wilmington area
– ELISE COOPER '63 21
In 1970, the era of unrest seen on college campuses in the 1960s filtered down to secondary schools. Fewer girls wanted to attend boarding school, particularly a girls’ boarding school in the country. Changes were made at Oldfields to make boarding school life more palatable. Oldfields
1970-1979
accepted its first five-day boarders and 8th grade students. The School continued its tradition of accepting students with a wide range of academic potential. Girls could study in their rooms, a five-day Winter
The cost of running the School had nearly doubled in the past decade,
Weekend was introduced, and juniors and seniors were
while there had been only a one-time increase in tuition of $500.
allowed to smoke on campus with parental permission.
As in the 1930s, the School now faced low enrollment.
Wednesday afternoons were given over to club meetings instead of sports, and seniors were allowed to plan “Senior Projects” in May, either on or off campus. Meal “ hours were liberalized with buffets becoming the norm. Weekend privileges were expanded, making dating possible for the older girls. Also in 1970, Oldfields graduated its first minority student, Theda Hythe.
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in 1971, as Senior Projects had been so successful, the first “Capsule Courses,” a predecessor to the May Program, were introduced, with trips to Paris and Madrid. Current Board Chair Hilary Gardner Swain '72 was on the initial trip to Paris where her grandmother arranged for tea with the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Warfield Simpson '14! There were 22 program offerings including Fundamentals of Computers, Stable Management, French Cooking, and Stock Market Practices. By 1974, The Community Service Program was initiated. Students were assigned jobs that once had been taken care of by a larger domestic staff. In 1975, George Nevens announced his retirement. Hawley Rogers became Headmaster shortly thereafter, and called on Taylor Smith to return as Assistant Headmaster in charge of the academic program. With the help of Board Chair Ralph O’Connor, father of Nancy ’75, the financial crisis was resolved and enrollment increased dramatically,
Hawley Rogers, Headmaster 1976-1997
One Senior Project developed into the popular pre-school program which thrived at Oldfields from 1972 through 2007. Maximum enrollment was limited to 180 in 1976.
assisted by the decision to accept day students for the first time in the 20th century.
Far Out Faculty
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Over the years, it is the alumnae who look after a boarding school, because the students and their parents come and go. The commitment is one of time, interest, and financial support.
1980-1989
– SUSAN HADDEN LAWRENCE ’65
The Admission Office attracted students from
Oldfields’ philosophy of education had not
a variety of geographic backgrounds, and a
changed. The track system to accommodate
generous scholarship program helped ensure
a variety of students; small classes; and the
economic and racial diversity. College
attention given an individual were still its
Guidance became a more formalized
hallmarks.
process. Most seniors went on to attend fouryear institutions.
given by alumnae and parents, brought
In 1980, three alumnae from the class of 1940, Beatrice Endicott
The presence of day students, a larger
Oldfields’ riding facilities up to par with
McLeod, Ruth Porter Nimick, and Helen Janeway Gilbreath,
student body, less stringent rules, increased
those of its competitors. Under Riding
bought and restored the old Glencoe Post Office (c. 1870) and
options on the weekends, and more cultural
Director Grace Mullen, Oldfields riders were
had it moved to Oldfields' campus, where it stands today.
and recreational opportunities broadened
winning cases of ribbons and trophies!
By the fall of 1981, the front parlors of Old House had been renovated as admission and reception rooms, Garden House and the Commons Infirmary were converted into small dormitories, and the Senior Room and Gookie’s were refurbished through the generosity of alumnae. These and many other improvements were performed by Maintenance Director Jim Beck and his team, which at times included faculty and administration! In 1982, Helen Frederick Gray '51 became the first alumna Chairman of the Board of Trustees, to be followed by Jane Isdale Schaefer '52, for whom Jane House dormitory was named in 1994.
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The building of the indoor riding arena,
the student experience at Oldfields.
New Awards and Honors! • Nancy O’Connor ’75 Teaching Award • McColl Teaching Award • Helen E. Travers Award (the School store was also renamed "Herky's" in her honor) • Jack T. Trotter Endowed Chair in Mathematics • James M. Richardson More teams participated
Endowed Chair for English
in interscholastic games,
In 1989, the Dance Studio and the David Niven
and faculty coaching
Theatre were completed.
became the norm. The Green and White competition still flourished, and the presentation of the Green and White Cup remained a high point at the annual Prize Banquet.
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In 1990, Oldfields was fully enrolled at a time of declining enrollment at independent schools. The construction of the Fine Arts addition to Rodney Hall was underway in 1990 and was dedicated in April of 1991. By 1992, computer proficiency became a requirement for graduation, and 30 school computers were made available to students, one for every six girls. In 1995, Oldfields hired its first Director of Technology and was invited to be a pilot school for the Microsoft/Toshiba Anytime Anywhere Laptop Program, resulting in a Smithsonian Computerworld Award in 1997. New traditions, 100 Nights till Graduation and the Senior Speech were born. Both of these traditions still endure.
Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan delivered the Baccalaureate Address to the Class of 1991, of which her eldest child, Abir, was a member.
1994 saw the formation of The Largo Core Society, for those who possess the vision to include Oldfields in their estate planning. 26
The first Grandparents’ Day was held in the spring of 1991.
1990-1999 In the fall of 1992, construction began on a new dormitory for students and homes for faculty. By the following fall, Jane House, named for Jane Isdale Schaefer ’52, was fully occupied. Subsequent renovations began on Centennial Dorm, and triples became a thing of the past.
In 1994, Oldfield had 46 full-time and 8 part-time faculty members. Twentytwo faculty members held advanced degrees, and 90% of the faculty lived on campus. In 1996, for the first time, a single class raised sufficient funds to establish a named endowment in honor of their 25th reunion, The Class of 1971
Oldfields is stronger today than perhaps any time in its history. –HAWLEY ROGERS
Endowment Fund. In 1996, celebrated media talk-show host Larry King P’85 entertained 250 members of the In 1992, the 125th Anniversary of the School, chaired by Cannon Simpson Stoffel ’76, included a black tie dinner dance, an historic Glencoe
Oldfields family in honor of Hawley Rogers’ 20 years as Headmaster.
house tour, a Dubious Dozen reunion, an alumnae riding clinic, a memorial service at Immanuel Episcopal Church, and brunch at the Milton Inn. Fully enrolled throughout the decade, the student body represented 28 states and 12 foreign countries. Ninetyfour percent of families who visited campus applied for admission. Eleven percent were students of color and 16% were international students. Oldfields continued to have the third largest 7-day girls' boarding program in the country, after Miss Porter’s and Emma Willard.
In 1997, Hawley Rogers retired after 28 years at Oldfields and 21 years as Headmaster.
In 1993, under the coaching of longtime Riding Director Grace Mullen, Oldfields riders won the Mid-Atlantic Interschool Riding Tournament for the fifth year in a row, and sophomore Lauren Mullen ’95 and her large pony, My Buddy, were ranked #1 in the country in the Large Green Pony Hunter Division.
In 1999, Oldfields Magazine marked its 20th anniversary, and construction began on the major addition and renovations to the Rodney academic building that was to become the Tammis Day Academic Center.
Kathleen D. Jameson Head of School 1997-2002
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2000-2009
In 2000, Oldfields still retained its family-like atmosphere, the A and B tracks to support girls in areas of weakness and challenge them in areas of strength, small classes (average of 8 students) and a 1:4 faculty to student ratio. In 2002, a new tradition was established, Founder’s Day, to honor Anna Austen McCulloch.
On April 2, 2002, The Tammis Day Academic Center was dedicated. The beautiful state-of-the art academic facility was largely made possible by the generosity of Tammis Day ’69, whose $2.5 million gift was the largest ever received by OS and whose total giving grew to more than $9 million in her lifetime. In 2004, the mail room was moved to the room at the top of the stairs across from the dining hall. Its previous location, across from Herky’s School Store, became the day student locker area. SMARTBoard interactive whiteboards
In 2004, Oldfields was at the forefront of a
were installed in several classrooms.
group of select schools nationwide which chose to designate as Honors courses what used to
The Classes of 2003 and 2004 became the first classes since 1982 whose graduation had to be held indoors because of inclement weather.
be called Advanced Placement. The curriculum remained the same, but the AP exams were optional so as not to penalize students in the college admission process. Over the summer of 2005, new furniture and paint updated the dining hall. Gookie’s was renovated into a student center, and the Calorie Gallery moved off to the side in Gookie’s.
George Swope, Jr., Head of School 2003-2008
New courses offered in 2006 included The Minority Experience in America,
In the fall of 2005 the Oldfields Parent Association was formed.
Environmental Science, Equine Science, and Applied Design.
In August 2009, the beloved copper beech, which welcomed generations of Oldfields girls for more than 100 years on the driveway to Old House, had to be removed for safety reasons. The tree was fondly called “the elephant tree” for its smooth gray bark and the thickness of its branches and trunk.
At Alumnae Weekend 2007, iconic Headmaster Hawley Rogers read his 10 year prediction letter! In July 2008, Oldfields joyfully welcomed back Taylor Smith as Oldfields’ 9th Head of School. Over the next five years, under Taylor’s leadership, Oldfields’ student body nearly doubled and alumnae engagement blossomed.
Taylor A. Smith, Head of School 2008-2013
By 2009, Taylor reinvigorated some Oldfields traditions – Morning Meeting was again held outdoors on the steps outside the Theatre in the spring and fall, community dinners in the dining hall with all residential faculty sharing tables with the girls were reinstated, and for the first time in some years, the Thing-a-ma-bob was hidden on a regular basis.
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In 2010, the entire Oldfields family, under the leadership of Head of
2010-2017
School Taylor Smith, and with the generous and steadfast support of alumnae, parents, faculty, and staff, helped the School emerge from the financial challenges of the previous decade. The school was now operating ahead of budget, had an enrollment of 140 students, experiencing record low attrition, and was following a solid five-year plan. In 2011, Oldfields was one of only two National Association of Independent Schools in the entire country to have over 10% growth in enrollment for three years in a row. Oldfields added a middle school in the fall of 2010, but after two academic years, the decision was made to return to grades 8-12 only. Oldfields officially earned its Maryland Green School status.
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In April of 2013, the Spirit Capital Campaign, dedicated to Hawley and Wendy Rogers, was publicly launched at Alumnae Weekend. In 2014, Oldfields received the first million dollar gift to the Campaign from an alumnae parent of the 1970s! To date, over $10.2 million has been raised of the $12 million goal. Student body president, Tiffany Peart, became Oldfields’ third Gates Millennium Scholar in ten years, an unheard-of feat!
Historic snowstorms weakened our indoor riding arena, and in 2010 construction began on a new facility, which as of this writing is still one of the top indoor arenas in Maryland.
Dr. Parnell P. Hagerman, Head of School 2013-2016
In 2013, Oldfields said “goodbye” to Taylor and
Campus improvements everywhere you look! • New Garden House - four, two-bedroom faculty apartments and the first new construction on campus since 1993
Judy Smith once again, and Dr. Parnell P. Hagerman became Head of School.
• Wi-Fi installed throughout campus • Brougher e-Learning Center created in the Nevens Library • Renovation of “The Jungle” for the dedication of The Hawley and Wendy Rogers Wing • Renovations to the David Niven Theatre • New outdoor upper riding ring, new stable roof, shavings shed, new fencing • Renovation of gymnasium and lobby, new indoor and outdoor scoreboards • Re-surfaced tennis courts • Two new buses for student transportation • New signage throughout the campus • New Old House parking area replacing the old (leaking!) swimming pool Thank you, alumnae and parents, for your generosity!
Oldfields remained a family tradition for hundreds of young women, as each year saw an average of 30 legacy students enrolled! In 2016, Oldfields established its own chapter of the National Honor Society. The Class of 2016 was the largest class (52 girls!) to graduate in recent history.
On July 1, 2016, Oldfields began a year of
In December 2016, 37-year Oldfields veteran
celebration for its sesquicentennial. An entire year
Ansley Smithwick became the Interim Head of
of celebrating our beloved School’s history, its
School. A Head Search Committee was formed to
feeling of family, and its culture of kindness will
find a new head to lead Oldfields into its next
culminate in the 150th Gala on April 29 during
150 years with Courage, Humility, and Largeness
Alumnae Weekend 2017.
of Heart.
Oldfields belongs to all of us.
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Special Thanks Mary King McPherson
Margaret “Peggy” Samson Harris ’36
There is a book at Oldfields that is on every
Many delightful hours were spent in the archives during
shelf and is placed in every new faculty
the creation of this magazine, and without Peggy’s vision,
member’s hand. It is the ultimate source for
we would not have had access to all the wonderful
all things Oldfields; a beautifully constructed
photographs and mementos that adorn these pages. Peggy
history written by a dedicated member of
provided the impetus and means to inaugurate a formal archives program
our community. It is a book without which
and sponsored Mary King McPherson’s history of the school, A Feeling of
this commemorative magazine could not
Family. Her devotion to Oldfields is legendary, and she kept Oldfields in her
have been created. The book is Oldfields
heart throughout her life. Thank you, Peggy, for helping us to preserve
School 1867-1989; A Feeling of Family,
Oldfields’ rich and wonderful history so that we may continue to share it
by Mary King McPherson. The vast majority of facts, remembrances, and
with generations to come.
anecdotes cited in this magazine come straight from the pages of her
Katherine “Kitty” Riggs Poole ’11
wonderful book. We hope she forgives the minor liberties we took with the text and the lack of footnotes – it would have taken over half the magazine to document all her contributions! As a teacher, administrator, and author, Mary touched hundreds of young women’s lives, and her contributions to this school are beyond measure. Thank you, Mary, for your lifelong dedication to Oldfields.
A special thanks also goes to Kitty Riggs Poole ’11, who meticulously documented and preserved the daily life of the School in her journals, scrapbooks, and photo albums. Her rich and thorough history was donated to the School and comprised Oldfields’ original archives. Without the information she gathered and saved, Feeling of Family could not have been written, nor would the Margaret Samson Harris ’36 archives exist today.
Finally, our 150th anniversary commemorative magazine was intended to provide a snapshot of each decade, as it could not be a comprehensive history of the School and the exceptional people who nurtured it. To our regret, it quickly became apparent that it would be impossible to mention each of the many outstanding individuals who have contributed so much to this School over so many years. Those of you who have given your love and support, and, in some cases, dedicated your lives, to Oldfields and its young women, will always have our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. Oldfields School 1867-1989: A Feeling of Family
Board of Trustees 2016-2017 Hilary G. Swain ’72, Chair R. Augustus Edwards P’95, ’98, Vice-Chair Heidi A. duPont ’95, Secretary Zachary Carlile P’17, Treasurer Margaret Babbitt ’04 David C. Carroll P’13 Charles Driscoll, Jr. P’16 Adelaide Goldfrank ’96 Lulu Laubenstein Good ’72, Alumnae Association President Sheila W. Harrell ’90 Debbie L. Hill ’71 Charelle D. James ’88 Carlisle V. Mayer ’78 P’14 Scott Menzies P’03 Nancy S. Palmer P’12 Susan S. Repko ’72, Capital Campaign Cabinet Chair Hawley Rogers, P’82 GP ’12, ’17, Head of School Emeritus Valerie Sill P ’16 Gay R. Smith ’68 Ramsay Whitworth P’19
Oldfields Magazine Staff Alicia Bowers P’17, Editor Suzanne Glover, Creative Director Brian Vinyard, Graphic Designer Photography: Brian Vinyard, Alicia Bowers P’17,
William Gray
Contributors: Alicia Bowers P’17, Anne Ragland Finney P’97,
Corinna Hedge, Joan Carter Jermakian ’81 P’15,
Ryan Kirk, Ansley Smithwick, Nolan Warthen
Questions, comments, and address changes can be sent to: Oldfields Magazine 1500 Glencoe Road, Sparks-Glencoe, MD 21152-9321 or emailed to Communications@OldfieldsSchool.org.
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1500 Glencoe Road Sparks Glencoe, Maryland 21152-9321
Oldfields 150th Commemorative Magazine Winter 2017