Nashville Prep School Ends Annual George Washington Celebration Because It’s Not ‘Relevant To The Way That We Teach History Today’
By Ashe Schow
A prominent prep school in Nashville, Tennessee has said it will no longer hold its annual celebration of George Washington because its “not consistent or relevant to the way that we teach history today.”
The prep school, Harpeth Hall, made the decision last week, The Tennessee Star reported. Jess Hill, who heads the school, wouldn’t answer the outlet’s specific questions about canceling the event, but did send a statement.
“After much thoughtful dialogue spanning several years, Harpeth Hall has decided to discontinue the annual George Washington Celebration,” Hill wrote.
Hill included three reasons why the school decided to end the celebration:
“It is not consistent with or relevant to the way that we teach history today.”
“It does not demonstrate the significant role that women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups play in our nation’s history.”
“A growing number of students, faculty, staff, and alumnae are expressing their discomfort with this tradition.”
“For the past several years, the Leadership Team, faculty, and students have questioned in separate discussions the long-standing tradition of the George Washington Celebration at Harpeth Hall – a place where girls are at the center of our story. During this past school year, we held focus group discussions with our Alumnae Board and Head’s Young Alumnae Council to gather their thoughts. We also conferred with administrators and teachers charged with leading the program over many years,” Hill wrote in the statement to the Star. “In consideration of their feedback and our mission, we have decided that the George Washington Celebration held on February 13, 2020 marks our final performance.”
On Tuesday, Hill sent an email to school alumni, which was obtained by the Star, that explained the history of the celebration.