Ethel Walker School Explained

The Ethel Walker School, also commonly referred to as "Walker's", is a private, college preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 6 through 12 plus postgraduate located in Simsbury, Connecticut.

History

Founded in 1911, the school was one of the first college preparatory schools for girls in the United States. The school sits on 175 acres (0.71 km²), abutting 425 acres (1.72 km²) of preserved land.

The Ethel Walker School was originally located in Lakewood, New Jersey, before being moved in 1917 to its present location on the former Dodge Estate in Simsbury, Connecticut.^[1]

In 1933, the school temporarily relocated to the Fishers Island Club on Fishers Island, New York after separate fires destroyed two buildings on the campus.^[2]

Notable alumnae

• Frances Beinecke, President of the National Resources Defense Council^[3]
• Juanin Clay, actress^[4]
• Ethel du Pont, heiress and socialite^[5]
• Mimi Gardner Gates, art historian, director emeritus of Seattle Art Museum and Yale University Art Gallery
• Farahnaz Pahlavi, Princess of Pahlavi Iran, daughter of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi^[6]
• Judith Peabody, socialite and philanthropist^[7]
• Angela "Annie" Peavy, member of the U.S. Para-Dressage Team at the 2016 Olympics^[8]
• Georgia B. Ridder, American thoroughbred racehorse owner^[9]
• Ariana Rockefeller, model and fashion designer^[10]
• Mary L. Trump, clinical psychologist, businessperson, and author^[11]
• Sigourney Weaver, actress^[12]
• Abra Prentice Wilkin, philanthropist^[13]
• Melinda Wortz, art professor, gallery director^[14]

Notes and References

1. News: SON OF PRESIDENT TO WED MISS DUPONT Troth of Ethel, Wilmington Heiress, to Franklin Jr. Is Made Known. WEDDING SET FOR JUNE Fiance, Student at Harvard, to Remain There Until After His Graduation. THE PRESIDENT'S SON AND HIS FIANCEE ROOSEVELT JR. WINS MISS ETHEL DU PONT. 14 August 2016. The New York Times. November 15, 1936.
2. News: 1933-04-15 . Walker School Will Move to Fisher's Island As Temporary Refuge After Incendiary Fires . . 0362-4331 . 2024-07-27.
3. News: 1977-04-24 . Paul J. Elston Plans to Marry Miss Beinecke . 2024-05-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
4. News: 1981-04-26 . Juanin de Zalduondo Wed to Joseph Lambie . 2024-05-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
5. News: SON OF PRESIDENT TO WED MISS DUPONT Troth of Ethel, Wilmington Heiress, to Franklin Jr. Is Made Known. WEDDING SET FOR JUNE Fiance, Student at Harvard, to Remain There Until After His Graduation. THE PRESIDENT'S SON AND HIS FIANCEE ROOSEVELT JR. WINS MISS ETHEL DU PONT. November 15, 1936. The New York Times. 14 August 2016.
6. Web site: National News Briefs. 2021-09-05. UPI. en.
7. News: Weber . Bruce . 2010-07-27 . Judith Peabody, Socialite and Volunteer, Dies at 80 . 2024-05-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
8. Web site: Angela Peavy . 2024-03-21 . www.teamusa.com . en.
9. News: 1936-04-27 . B. J. RIDDER TO WED MISS GEORGIA BIJGK; Former Baltimore Girl Engaged to the Son of Publisher of Several Newspapers. MEMBER OF COLONY CLUB Attended Ethel Walker School-Fiance Interested With His Father in Enterprises. . 2024-05-08 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
10. Web site: 2014-05-28. Rockefeller Style. 2021-09-05. Observer. en-US.
11. Web site: 2023-09-01 . Mary Trump exposed her uncle Donald’s dirty laundry. Her own life is a quiet mystery . 2024-05-08 . The Independent . en.
12. News: Allis . Samuel . 1979-07-28 . Sigourney Weaver - Six Feet Tall And Short on Angst . The Washington Post.
13. Web site: 2020-08-23 . Five Questions With Abra Prentice Wilkin Classic Chicago Magazine . 2024-05-08 . classicchicagomagazine.com . en-US.
14. Web site: Melinda Wortz Obituary (2002) - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times . 2024-05-08 . Legacy.com.