Evening star., 1934-05-06
POTOMAC SCHOOL
MARKSFOUND|NG
Institution Built on Educa-
ton in HeaIthful Sur
roundings.

An idea calling for an institution
that would provide younger children
with an education, modern and pro-
gressive in spirit. in healtnful anc
cheerful surroundings" was the
foundation on which was built the
Potomac School, which celebrates its
thirtieth anniversary Wednesday.
Mrs. Fairfax Harrison and Mrs
Henry Leonard were the founders of
the school, and they were backed by
a group of IA mothers who shared
the founders views. The institution
was opened first in limited quarters
at Dupont Circle.
Today the Potomac School is
housed in spacious accommodations
at 2l44 California street The class
rooms, flooded with sunlight that
filters through the green of growing
vines and plants that are tended by
the pupils, and fitted with gaily COL
ored furniture, are testimony to the
principle of cheerful surroundings"
Achievements of its graduates in
higher institutions pay tribute to the
soundness of the educational prin-
ciples that have prevailed.
Organized in 1904.
Potomac School, which counts
among it's present pupils and its grad
uates some of the most prominent
family names in the Capital, was Or
ganized in 1904. Backed by the IA
mothers who subscribed to the guar
anty fund necessary to its establish
ment, the young institution opened
with four grades and At pupils. In
spiration and considerable guidance
was given the school by the Calvert
School. similarly progressive institu-
ton which had been opened recently
in Baltimore. Virgil Hillyer, head
master of the Calvert School. super
vised the new Potomac School for
the first three years of its existence.
From the Dupont Circle location,
the school was moved to the north
west corner of Eighteenth and M
streets, where it remained until 1916.
In 1907, the Potomac School was in
corporated, with an advisory board of
trustees. This board was made a self
perpetuating body of mothers of chill
dren in the school. A few of its men,
bers continue to serve after gradual
ton of their children so the school
may benefit by their experience.
Gymnasium Is Added.
In 1916 the Potomac School pur-
chased the first unit of the present
establishment on California street
This move added both class room and
playground facilities. During the
Summer Of 1922 a gymnasium and an
assembly hail. as we'll as a large
kindergarten were added That same
Summer saw the further enlargement
of the playground. In 1923 the science
and art rooms were added, and in
1929 the adjoining building, 2156
California street, was bought. This
addition provided a separate house for
the first and second grades which,
since 1911. have been directed by Mrs
Helen Fisher Rice
Potomac School today embraces
eight grades. The girls are carried
through the entire course, but the
boys remain at Potomac only until
completion of the fourth grade.
Miss DorOthea Stillman is head
mistress, having held that Office since
1929. Her predecessors include Miss
Charlotte Wiggin. from 1927 to 1929;
Miss Evelina Pierce, 1920 to 1927;
Miss Kate Estey, 1910 to 1920, and
Miss Lucy Madeira, from 1908 to 1910
Board of Trustees.
The board of trustees from 1904 to
1914 included Mrs Fairfax Harrison,
Mrs. Henry Leonard. Mrs. Montgom-
cry Blair, Mrs. Arthur Lee, Mrs. T.
Morris Murray. Mrs. John E. Reyburn,
Mrs. Henry H. Ward, Mrs. Herbert
Parsons. Miss Lucy Madeira, Mrs.
Theodore Cole, Miss Susan E. Coyle,