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History At a time in which opportunities for high school education were rare in the rural South, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia established St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock. Its primary purpose was to ".meet the need in Tidewater of a standard school, at the least possible cost, for girls of character and ability." Back then, students often arrived by steamboat, as there was no bridge linking Tappahannock with the Northern Neck and there was no government road to Richmond. Here's a brief look at how far we've come. 
1921: St. Margaret's opens for business with 14 girls and 3 boys in grades K-11. Classes were held in a room above a pharmacy in Tappahannock.1923: St. Margaret's graduates its first student, Nancy Berry. Mid-20s: $10,000 is given for the school's first gym; two new dormitories are added and Virginia builds a bridge linking Tappahannock to the Northern Neck. 1931: Enrollment has grown to 20 day students and 70 boarders. Thirteen girls graduate in the class of 1931. 1936: School is accredited by the State Board of Education. Mid-40s: St. Margaret's Hall gets an addition; first yearbook is published; Anderton House purchased for use as dormitory 1950: St. Margaret's gets its eighth headmistress, Viola Hubbard Woolfolk 
1959: Three international teachers join faculty. Dress committee advises, "your short skirts are very becoming, and let us try and keep them below your knees."1961: Science lab completed 1966: New gym is dedicated; silver charms with school seal are given to graduating seniors, beginning a new tradition 1975: Chapel extended and renovated 1977: Eight students win National High School Poetry Contest; campaign begins to raise $161,000 for renovations to three of the school's historic buildings. 1980: 125 boarders, 43 day students (one male); Current Head of School, Margaret R. Broad, joins faculty as a French teacher. 1981: School celebrates its 60th year. 
1983: Viola Woolfolk, Headmistress since 1950, announces retirement.1990: Ground breaking for library/classroom building to be named after Miss Woolfolk. Board announces $1.5 million campaign. 1991: SMS is one of the first boarding schools in the southeast to establish comprehensive program for international students. 1994: Peer leadership program established, library card catalog is computerized; three faculty apartments added to Latané Hall 1996: School purchases additional homes so more faculty can live on campus 1999: $3.8 million Community/Technology Center opens to house riverfront dining room, computer center and math and science classrooms; Ten schools named for St. Margaret join force to form the Queen Margaret of Scotland Girls' School Association. As one of their first activities, a student/faculty exchange is established. 2002: The SMS wardrobe debuts, giving students more than 30 clothing options. Latane Hall is given a major renovation and makeover. 2005: The McCuan House dorm project started in October 2004 is ready for dedication and opening in September 2005 - it houses 24 students and 3 faculty apartments in state of the art accommodations. 2007: SMS celebrates 400 years of Virginia history by hosting the Essex County Virginia Commemorative Banquet with Essex County England. A replica of John Smith's shallop sails past St. Margaret's in a re-enactment of this voyage of discovery. 2007: SMS dedicates a new Athletic Complex at Sycamore Drive, a 42 acre property located a mile away from the main campus. It houses two playing fields, two softball diamonds, a cross-country track, and a faculty residence. Read more.... 2011: SMS celebrates its 90th anniversary! Read more in the Bridge Alumnae Newsletter.... |
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