October 23, 2023 By Derby Academy
100 Years on Broad Cove
Derby Academy is celebrating its campus centennial during the 2023-2024 school year, marking 100 years on its present Broad Cove campus. The oldest incorporated independent co-educational school in New England, Derby Academy was founded in 1784 by Madam Sarah Derby. Since its founding, the Derby School, later Derby Academy, was located in the landmark “Old Derby” building, now the Hingham Historical Society, in Hingham Square. Following the First World War, the old schoolhouse was found to be groaning under a century’s worth of students of what then included primary through high school education. Facing a resurgent enrollment and inspired by the contemporary Country Day School movement, the Trustees of Derby Academy acquired the Broad Cove campus in 1922.
Still home to the school today, the original 30-acre campus set on the sloping banks of Broad Cove was for many years the summer campground of Boston’s socially elite First Corps of Cadets. The newly relocated upper school opened in time for the start of term in September 1923, with classes held in the former barracks and temporary structures, the parade grounds gave way to athletic fields, and theatrical performances held on the shore, looking across the cove at Otis Hill, formerly used by the Cadets for artillery practice. The School today, which now teaches students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8, has, from the 1947 completion of the first purpose-built permanent building on campus, the Hersey Memorial Gymnasium, seen improvements that provide the now familiar state-of-art educational setting that is central to fulfilling the school’s mission to “improve both minds and hearts.”
Derby Academy is delighted to celebrate this major milestone in the School’s history. To commemorate this anniversary, the School kicked things off with a special centennial t-shirt for students, faculty, and staff and joined together for an all-school photo on the 1784 Field. Upcoming centennial celebration plans include a community art project that will involve the entire student body and faculty and staff; a schoolwide service project focused on the anniversary; and a special end-of-year celebration in the spring. Head of School Dr. Colleen Ramsden remarked, “I am thrilled to be celebrating our campus centennial throughout this school year. Our location is one of the main differentiators of a Derby education. It allows our students to get outside daily, explore nature, use Broad Cove for engaging academic lessons, and play! Since 1923 our campus has evolved with the addition of athletic playing fields, new buildings, and outdoor gathering spaces. I am excited to think about the next 100 years and what is to come!”
To read more in-depth about celebrating 100 years on our Broad Cove campus, please view Derby Academy’s Campus Centennial webpage.