In April, the Anne Reid ’72 Gallery unveiled the Roots of Excellence art exhibit which brings over a century of Princeton Day School’s academic history to life. The exhibit portrays a story celebrating 125 years of Miss Fine’s School and 100 years of Princeton Country Day School. These two schools merged in 1965 to form Princeton Day School. Through photos and documents recovered from the archives, the exhibit traces the evolution of the two schools and their merger.
Both PDS’s Communications Team and Advancement Team worked closely to design a detailed timeline from 1899, when Miss Fine’s school first opened until the founding of PDS. Each moment along the exhibit’s timeline assembles a story of how growth brought them together.
The exhibition was specifically designed as an informational show, to enlighten the students, teachers, and staff of the school’s history and origins. PDS Gallery Curator Ms. Gwen Shockey explained, “The exhibition shows […] how the institution has always been at the forefront of educational innovation recognized by leaders worldwide.” It was also designed with the hope of leaving students with a new takeaway on PDS, that it would remind students of the amazing history of the place they come to each day.
For students, the exhibit offered a deeper appreciation for their school. Many visitors were surprised to learn PDS’s long history, with some expressing surprise at the age of the institution. Sophomore Jasper Mackey shared, “When I first entered the room and looked at some of the pictures, I saw the timestamps and I was surprised at how old the school is.” Attendees also received clarification on how PDS came to be, revealing the roots of the merge. For students that have spent many years PDS and already know its history, the exhibit also felt like a personal connection.
Others also liked seeing the smaller details of the exhibit. Senior Ethan Wang expressed one of his favorite elements of the exhibit: “I think some of the smaller photos are worth taking a look at. It’s pretty interesting to see students and teachers from many decades ago learning and going on about their lives in the same place we occupy now.” The exhibit not only preserves the past, but brings it to the present, reminding the PDS community of the story they are still taking a part of through moments happening today.
