May 30, 2024 By The Wilder Nursery School
On Tuesday, May 28, Wilder Memorial Nursery School, located in Hingham, Ma. announced it will kick off its 100 th Anniversary celebrations at the town’s annual 4 th of July parade by inviting students to walk in the parade. The school, which is the oldest continually operating Nursery School in the United States, has also launched a brick fundraising program, inviting past and current families to purchase a brick with their family name or a special saying. The bricks will be set on Wilder grounds during the 2024-2025 school year to commemorate the anniversary and the wonderful families who have been part of the Wilder community.
In addition to the Fourth of July parade and brick fundraising program, Wilder will host a series of events throughout the 2024-2025 school year, including a kick-off gala this fall and a community holiday event in December.
Mallory Wuori, School Director and parent for three Wilder alumni, said of the anniversary: “Our team at Wilder is incredibly excited to kick off our 100 th anniversary celebration. Our school is part of the fabric of our community; many of our children entering our 100th year have siblings, parents and grandparents who grew up with Wilder as part of their education. My own husband attended Wilder! We are proud to continue welcoming children to our magical school, and excited to introduce them to our wonderful community.”
Wilder Nursery School has served generations of families along the south shore of Massachusetts since its founding in 1924. The school was started 100 years ago by a group of Hingham mothers who came together to establish a curriculum that would foster the growth and development of their young children. Today, as a cooperative nursery school, Wilder is operated by the school’s Director, Mallory Wuori, and a parent-run Board consisting of approximately 30 dedicated parents. The school’s moto remains, “Have Fun and be a Good Friend!”
An essential part of Wilder Nursey School and its student experience is its many traditions and celebrations – some of which have been around since Wilder’s inception in the 1920’s. The school takes pride in keeping these traditions alive and welcoming the magic they provide for its students. Students at Wilder celebrate a variety of holidays including birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah, St. Patrick’s Day, as well as special “Wilder Days,” such as the annual Wilder Rodeo, Sweetheart Dance, Wilder Fair, and Camp Wilder.
“My three children, now in their twenties, each went to Wilder and loved the experience. It provided them with a great introduction to the school environment with the ability to learn, play and grow. Beyond education, my children made friends that they still have today,” said Jo-Ann Sullivan, Wilder’s Assistant Director. “Today, we still continue fostering that same nurturing environment we’ve had for decades, with a team that is deeply committed to helping each student find their love and passion for learning.”
To experience the magic of the Wilder community, all are welcome to attend the annual Wilder Fair, taking place Saturday, June 1 from 10am – 2pm at Wilder School, 666 Main Street,
Hingham Ma. The Fair is open to all and features bounce houses, food trucks, pony rides and more! Tickets can be purchased online prior to the event or onsite. For information on Wilder’s upcoming Anniversary Celebrations, visit WilderSchool.org.