Purnell Remembered on Campus

When visiting the now-Pingry School campus in Pottersville, be sure to visit the Athletic Center (which we knew as the MAC - Moran Athletic Center). At the far end of the hall by the dance studio, there is a beautifully installed section of Purnell History walls.

Donna Martin reports that all of the brass plaques and donor plaques that graced the Purnell campus have been preserved for Purnell alumnae to revisit.

The large Griffin seal that was installed in the brick foyer floor at the time of the MAC's dedication, is surrounded in red with the following words, penned by Elizabeth Bugliari:

Purnell School was founded in 1963 by Mr. and Mrs. Lyttleton B. P. Gould, Jr., two visionary educators. They believed that “one size does NOT fit all,” and that there are different kinds of learners. Referred to as “salt of the earth girls,” these students would benefit from a sense of self-awareness, self-confidence, and consequently, self-esteem.

Purnell revolved around The Use of Common Sense, Truthfulness in all Relations, and Consideration of Others. Most alumnae say that they always try to live their lives using those guidelines and raise their children using that wisdom. Purnell was unique for its time – its teaching practices copied by many, and its success acknowledged by the educational world.

1963-2020
Pottersville, NJ

To the right of the plaque is a listing of the inscriptions on the floor's bricks, which people bought to support the building's construction in 1998.

Brass plaques around campus were cleaned and restored before being arranged on the Purnell History walls. Above, a view out the front of the building looking toward Gould dormitory and Roper House.

...But what everyone wants to know is what happened to the beautiful plaque that was at the front of the Baker Dining Hall with the Purnell Guidelines...? At the School's closing, Mary Frances Chihunko-Blount '06 became the owner of that memorable sign, which was so often referred to - which now graces her friendly kitchen.