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The roots of Loudoun Country Day School (LCDS), as it is known today, goes back to 1953, within the walls of the Purcellville Library, at a meeting called by Mrs. William J. McDonald and Mrs. J. Churchill Newcomb. As a result of this meeting seven students and one teacher became part of Loudoun County's
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During the 1953/54 school year, the original seven students attended classes at a room in the Old Community Building on Market Street in Leesburg. The following year, strengthened by Mrs. Eleanor Chamberlin's interest, the school moved to Greystone, near Waterford. At the end of the 1956 school year, Mrs. Newcomb decided to continue the school by herself and moved the school back to Leesburg, to a room above Mrs. Johnston's kindergarten on South King Street. It was here that the vision for educating the children of Loudoun, that Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. J. Churchill Newcomb held dear, began to take shape.
In the summer of 1956, Colonel and Mrs. Lowell Riley, Mr. and Mrs. B. Powell Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Symington and Mr. and Mrs. Huntington Harris created a Board of Trustees, voting Mr. Harrison the first Chairman. Mr. Harrison served as Chair until 1965.
In 1957, due to the generosity of Mrs. Stanley Brown, LCDS found a home. Mrs.Brown made the original farmhouse known as Old Newcomb, and the adjacent land available for instruction. In December of 1959, LCDS was incorporated as a non-profit institution and by June of 1960, the farmhouse and five surrounding acres were officially donated by Mr. and Mrs. Brown. After seven years and four locations, LCDS owned its own property. In May of 1961, a new brick building was dedicated. The original five classrooms are still contained in the present building.
In 1973, the building was expanded to include the area now encompassed by classrooms and offices. In 1976, two and one-half additional acres were purchased and a playing field was constructed. In 1979, led by a generous gift by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone, many friends and supporters of the school dedicated the Firestone Fieldhouse.
The names of these early backers are still recognized as is their shining citizenship to the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County. In the halls of the school, the original vision of Mrs. McDonald and Mrs. J. Churchill Newcomb of educating the young people of Leesburg and Loudoun County is reaffirmed daily. Loudoun Country Day School continues to this day to educate in the same spirit with which it founded in 1953, with a commitment to excellence. |
