Westtown School
Encyclopedia
Westtown School is a coeducational, college preparatory day and boarding school
for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
, Westtown’s 600 acre (2.4 km2) campus is located in Chester County
, PA
, 25 miles west of Philadelphia. Boarding is available in the upper school (grades 9-12) and is required in 11th and 12th grades.
Westtown is a Quaker school affiliated with the orthodox branch of the Religious Society of Friends, but it does not discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation. Students are required to attend Meeting for Worship
(once a week for day students, and twice a week for boarding students). Westtown uses the traditional Quaker practice of coming to unity in making many high-level decisions.
Westtown has been a coeducational school since its founding in 1799. Over 20% of students are American
students of color, and another 20% are Quakers. Students come from more than 25 states and 20 foreign countries.
—a full day’s coach ride from Philadelphia—where they could provide a “guarded” education in a healthy environment away from the secular influences of the city. For many years Westtown was nearly self-sufficient, with the campus providing raw materials used in construction of its buildings and food for the people who lived and worked at the school
.
Boys and girls had separate classes until about 1870. Boys learned practical skills such as surveying and bookkeeping, and girls had sewing class. However, Westtown recognized that students of both genders should know basic academic subjects such as reading, penmanship, grammar, mathematics, geography and science.
The campus lent itself to many hours of exploration and recreation for the students and teachers. Camp suppers, hiking
, birding, sledding
, and ice skating
on the pond were among the activities enjoyed by students. One student, Samuel Leeds Allen
, who attended Westtown from 1852–53, later worked on sled designs for his manufacturing company, Allen sent models to be tested on the hills of Westtown. One of these sleds was the Flexible Flyer
, patented in 1889.
The 1880s brought great physical changes to Westtown. The main building was replaced with a structure designed by architect Addison Hutton
, which was completed in 1888 and is still in use today. During the 20th century, the student body and the curriculum both became more diverse. Visual and performing arts were added, for example, and non-Quakers, African-American, and international students were admitted. Westtown also created the Work Program and Service Network.
Westtown’s Esther Duke Archives is a facility dedicated to collecting and maintaining materials relating to the people and history of the school. Students and historians alike use the Archives for historical research.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
About Westtown School
Founded in 1799 by the Religious Society of FriendsReligious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
, Westtown’s 600 acre (2.4 km2) campus is located in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
, PA
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, 25 miles west of Philadelphia. Boarding is available in the upper school (grades 9-12) and is required in 11th and 12th grades.
Westtown is a Quaker school affiliated with the orthodox branch of the Religious Society of Friends, but it does not discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation. Students are required to attend Meeting for Worship
Meeting for worship
A meeting for worship is a practice of the Religious Society of Friends in many ways comparable to a church service. These services have a wide variety of forms, creating a spectrum from typical Protestant liturgy to silent waiting for the Spirit .A Meeting for Worship may start with a query;...
(once a week for day students, and twice a week for boarding students). Westtown uses the traditional Quaker practice of coming to unity in making many high-level decisions.
Westtown has been a coeducational school since its founding in 1799. Over 20% of students are American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
students of color, and another 20% are Quakers. Students come from more than 25 states and 20 foreign countries.
History
Westtown School first opened in May, 1799. It was founded by Philadelphia Quakers who raised the money to build a boarding school and purchased 600 acres (2.4 km²) of land in rural Chester CountyChester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
—a full day’s coach ride from Philadelphia—where they could provide a “guarded” education in a healthy environment away from the secular influences of the city. For many years Westtown was nearly self-sufficient, with the campus providing raw materials used in construction of its buildings and food for the people who lived and worked at the school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
.
Boys and girls had separate classes until about 1870. Boys learned practical skills such as surveying and bookkeeping, and girls had sewing class. However, Westtown recognized that students of both genders should know basic academic subjects such as reading, penmanship, grammar, mathematics, geography and science.
The campus lent itself to many hours of exploration and recreation for the students and teachers. Camp suppers, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, birding, sledding
Sledding
Sledding , sledging , sleding or tobogganing is a common activity in wintry areas, similar to sliding, but in a prone or seated position requiring a device or vehicle generically known in the US as a sled or in other countries as a sledge or toboggan...
, and ice skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
on the pond were among the activities enjoyed by students. One student, Samuel Leeds Allen
Samuel Leeds Allen
Samuel Leeds Allen was the inventor and manufacturer of the Flexible Flyer sled, for over one hundred years the best selling and most famous American sled....
, who attended Westtown from 1852–53, later worked on sled designs for his manufacturing company, Allen sent models to be tested on the hills of Westtown. One of these sleds was the Flexible Flyer
Flexible flyer
A flexible flyer or steel runner sled is a steerable wooden sled with thin metal runners.- Usage and Design :Flexible fliers are flexible both in design and usage. The rider may sit upright on the sled or lie on their stomach, allowing the possibility to descend a snowy slope feet-first or...
, patented in 1889.
The 1880s brought great physical changes to Westtown. The main building was replaced with a structure designed by architect Addison Hutton
Addison Hutton
Addison Hutton was a Philadelphia architect who designed prominent residences in Philadelphia and its suburbs, plus courthouses, hospitals, and libraries, including the Ridgway Library and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania...
, which was completed in 1888 and is still in use today. During the 20th century, the student body and the curriculum both became more diverse. Visual and performing arts were added, for example, and non-Quakers, African-American, and international students were admitted. Westtown also created the Work Program and Service Network.
Westtown’s Esther Duke Archives is a facility dedicated to collecting and maintaining materials relating to the people and history of the school. Students and historians alike use the Archives for historical research.
Notable alumni
- Charles Polk, Jr.Charles Polk, Jr.Charles Polk, Jr. was an American farmer and politician from Big Stone Beach, in Milford Hundred, Kent County, Delaware...
(1788–1857), served twice as Governor of Delaware. - Martha Coffin WrightMartha Coffin WrightMartha Coffin Wright was an American feminist, abolitionist, and signatory of the Declaration of Sentiments.-Early life:...
(December 25, 1806–1875) was an American feminist, abolitionist, and signatory of the Declaration of SentimentsDeclaration of SentimentsThe Declaration of Sentiments, also known as the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, is a document signed in 1848 by 68 women and 32 men, 100 out of some 300 attendees at the first women's rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York, now known as the Seneca Falls Convention...
-- sister to Lucretia MottLucretia MottLucretia Coffin Mott was an American Quaker, abolitionist, social reformer, and proponent of women's rights.- Early life and education:...
. - John Howard Pugh (1827–1905), Member, United States House of Representative, representing New Jersey's 2nd congressional district (1877–1879).
- Samuel Leeds AllenSamuel Leeds AllenSamuel Leeds Allen was the inventor and manufacturer of the Flexible Flyer sled, for over one hundred years the best selling and most famous American sled....
(May 5, 1841 – March 28, 1918), inventor of the Flexible Flyer, the world's first steerable runner sled. - Herb PennockHerb PennockHerbert Jefferis Pennock was a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his time spent with the star-studded New York Yankee teams of the mid to late 1920s and early 1930s. Pennock won two World Series championships with the Red Sox and then four World Series championships with the...
, Class of 1915, Major League Baseball player and manager, baseball Hall of Fame - Richard T. James (1914–1974), with his wife, invented the Slinky.
- Edwin Bell Forsythe (1916–1984), Member, United States House of Representatives, represting the State of New Jersey (R).
- Edward Binns, character actor in the 1950s through the 1980s, appearing in "12 Angry Men," "North by Northwest," "Patton," in television episodes of "Twilight Zone," "The Rockford Files," and "M*A*S*H," among many other film and television credits.
- Jim FowlerJim FowlerJim Fowler is a professional zoologist and was host of the Emmy Award-winning television show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom....
, Class of 1947, Conservationist and wildlife correspondent/show host - Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom - Piers AnthonyPiers AnthonyPiers Anthony Dillingham Jacob is an English American writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is most famous for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth.Many of his books have appeared on the New York Times Best...
, Class of 1952, best-selling author in the science fiction and fantasy genres. - Collin WilcoxCollin Wilcox (actress)Collin Wilcox was an American actress in film, on stage and television. She was also credited as Collin Wilcox-Horne or Collin Wilcox-Paxton....
, Class of 1953, actor, Broadway, TV roles, movies: To Kill A Mockingbird, Catch-22, Jaws 2 and more; founding artistic director of the Instant Theatre Company. - Garrick UtleyGarrick UtleyGarrick Utley is an American TV journalist. He established his career reporting about the Vietnam War and has the distinction of being the first full-time television correspondent covering the war on-site.-Early life:...
, Class of 1957, the correspondent for CNN’s New York bureau, after serving three years as ABC News’ chief foreign correspondent and 30 years covering international news with NBC News. - Holland TaylorHolland TaylorHolland Virginia Taylor is an American actress of film, stage and television. Her notable television roles include Ruth Dunbar in Bosom Buddies, senator's wife Margaret Powers on Norman Lear's The Powers That Be, Judge Roberta Kittleson in The Practice and Evelyn Harper in Two and a Half...
(born January 14, 1943) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress, known for her film, television and theatre work. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Ruth Dunbar in Bosom Buddies, as Judge Roberta Kittleson in The Practice and as Evelyn Harper in Two and a Half Men. - Livingston TaylorLivingston TaylorLivingston Taylor is an American singer-songwriter, born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He attended the Westtown School in Pennsylvania...
, singer-songwriter. - Anthony H. WilliamsAnthony H. WilliamsAnthony Hardy Williams is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 8th District since 1998...
, Class of 1975, Pennsylvania State Senator, 8th District. - Eddie Montilla, Class of 1977, Music Producer.
- Colin Harrison, Class of 1978, bestselling novelist: Bodies Electric, Manhattan Nocturne, The Havana Room, Afterburn, editor at Scribners.
- Don WildmanDon WildmanDon Wildman is the current host and narrator of Off Limits and Mysteries at the Museum on Travel. He also hosted and narrated Weird Travels that formerly aired on the Travel Channel. His latest TV series, Off Limits currently airs on the Travel Channel...
, Class of 1979, the current host and narrator of Cities of the Underworld on History. - Marysol CastroMarysol CastroMarysol Castro is a television journalist and was weather anchor for the The Early Show on CBS in 2011. Prior to that, she was the weather and features correspondent for the weekend edition of Good Morning America on ABC from 2004 to 2010.-Early life and career:Born to Puerto Rican parents in New...
(b. September 29, 1976) is the weather anchor for ABC's Good Morning America Weekend Edition; since 2005, she has been the street reporter for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. - Kevin Roose, Class of 2005, author of The Unlikely Disciple, a book about his semester at Liberty University, and a business reporter for The New York Times.