Taken from the 1975 yearbook, reflections on the closing of the school:
The birth of Fairfax Hall is chronicled in a local newspaper, THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN, on August 6, 1920, in
a brief news announcement; “Professor J. Noble Maxwell, president of the new Fairfax Hall, states that the
school for young women will be opened in the former Brandon Hotel, purchased for that purpose last
summer. Mr. Maxwell, who is a former Stauntonian and during recent years was successful business
manager of Lewisburg Seminary, has prepared a handsome catalogue for Fairfax Hall.”
A later newspaper article reported: “The opening of Fairfax Hall has made the twin cities (Waynesboro and
Basic City) richer by ninety-seven young ladies representing twenty-eight states and foreign countries.”
So the new school came into being succeeding an earlier Brandon Institute which had operated in the
same building from 1911 to 1919. Under the Maxwell administration Fairfax Hall made rapid progress both
in the academic field and in improvements to the physical plant.
The gymnasium with indoor pool was built in 1926-27 of English half-timers and stucco on a base of North
Carolina granite. The outdoor pool was added as a landscape feature; the stable was built; and extensive
plantings of holly, magnolia, and dogwood were made on its wooded campus.
Following Mr. Maxwell's death on March 26, 1932, the school was headed by his widow, Mrs. Octavia
Goode Maxwell, and his sister Miss Frances May Maxwell. In June, 1936, the Fairfax properties were
purchased by William Benjamin Gates, Sr., then president of Blackstone College who established an
accredited junior college department, enlarged academic course offerings, and strengthened the physical
education and fine arts programs. A new dormitory was built in 1948 affording rooms for additional
students and improved classroom and laboratory facilities. The junior college department was
discontinued in 1956 to concentrate in the preparatory school field.
William Benjamin Gates, Sr. died on July 6, 1959, after serving as president of Fairfax Hall from 1936 and
after more than fifty-seven years of service in the field of public and independent school education. He was
succeeded by his son, Fairfax Hall's academic dean, William Benjamin Gates, Jr., who continued as the
school's fourth chief administrative officer until his retirement in 1973. At that time, Harry L. Nash, Jr.
became president of Fairfax Hall, after having served as business manager since July 1, 1947, and in July
1974 Harry L. Nash., III, joined the staff as business manager. Dr. Robbins L. Gates, formerly on the faculty
of Trinity College, Hartford, CT was academic dean from September 1959 to June, 1965., leaving to
become a member of the faculty at Mary Baldwin College, Staunton. Deans serving since have included
Mrs. Mildred Taylor Smith, Mrs. Evelyn T. Kiser, Mrs. Mary D Lawter, and Miss Lillian B. Skene. Theodore E
Bruning, Jr. was appointed headmaster July 1, 1973. Faced with steadily rising operation costs and
declining income due to reduced student enrollment, announcement was made on February 13, 1975 that
Fairfax Hall would cease operating as an independent boarding school at the close of its 55th year on May
31, 1975.
The same local newspaper, which heralded its birth in 1920, editorialized on its closing: “for more than
half a century this school has stood guard over Waynesboro from its lofty perch to the east. Far above that,
it has been a vital part of the city … a tradition … a landmark ... an academic influence .. a contributor to
civic pride.
“Like the death of a valued friend, the impending loss of Fairfax Hall brings memories flooding back …
memories of colorful laurel-chain ceremonies, of happy ring figures, of young ladies dashing into town for
a Coke. These things and so many others which every graduate will recall with a special fondness cannot
easily be replaced.
“In uncounted ways, Fairfax Hall has proved a good neighbor from the day of its founding in 1920. It has
provided steady employment for 55 or more people; its students and their parents have been a factor the
retail and travel economy; its fine reputation and its national advertising have brought attention to
Waynesboro from far and wide; members of its staff have played major roles in community endeavors…
“Whatever transpires, Fairfax Hall stands as a monument to the important concept of individualized,
independent education. It’s a concept the nation can ill afford to let slip away; yet it is slipping away.
”We know now how, but perhaps those hundreds who have loved and respected Fairfax Hall and who
today call it alma mater, still may find the road to survival. An institution in which has given so much to so
many surely deserves the effort.”
The birth of Fairfax Hall is chronicled in a local newspaper, THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN, on August 6, 1920, in
a brief news announcement; “Professor J. Noble Maxwell, president of the new Fairfax Hall, states that the
school for young women will be opened in the former Brandon Hotel, purchased for that purpose last
summer. Mr. Maxwell, who is a former Stauntonian and during recent years was successful business
manager of Lewisburg Seminary, has prepared a handsome catalogue for Fairfax Hall.”
A later newspaper article reported: “The opening of Fairfax Hall has made the twin cities (Waynesboro and
Basic City) richer by ninety-seven young ladies representing twenty-eight states and foreign countries.”
So the new school came into being succeeding an earlier Brandon Institute which had operated in the
same building from 1911 to 1919. Under the Maxwell administration Fairfax Hall made rapid progress both
in the academic field and in improvements to the physical plant.
The gymnasium with indoor pool was built in 1926-27 of English half-timers and stucco on a base of North
Carolina granite. The outdoor pool was added as a landscape feature; the stable was built; and extensive
plantings of holly, magnolia, and dogwood were made on its wooded campus.
Following Mr. Maxwell's death on March 26, 1932, the school was headed by his widow, Mrs. Octavia
Goode Maxwell, and his sister Miss Frances May Maxwell. In June, 1936, the Fairfax properties were
purchased by William Benjamin Gates, Sr., then president of Blackstone College who established an
accredited junior college department, enlarged academic course offerings, and strengthened the physical
education and fine arts programs. A new dormitory was built in 1948 affording rooms for additional
students and improved classroom and laboratory facilities. The junior college department was
discontinued in 1956 to concentrate in the preparatory school field.
William Benjamin Gates, Sr. died on July 6, 1959, after serving as president of Fairfax Hall from 1936 and
after more than fifty-seven years of service in the field of public and independent school education. He was
succeeded by his son, Fairfax Hall's academic dean, William Benjamin Gates, Jr., who continued as the
school's fourth chief administrative officer until his retirement in 1973. At that time, Harry L. Nash, Jr.
became president of Fairfax Hall, after having served as business manager since July 1, 1947, and in July
1974 Harry L. Nash., III, joined the staff as business manager. Dr. Robbins L. Gates, formerly on the faculty
of Trinity College, Hartford, CT was academic dean from September 1959 to June, 1965., leaving to
become a member of the faculty at Mary Baldwin College, Staunton. Deans serving since have included
Mrs. Mildred Taylor Smith, Mrs. Evelyn T. Kiser, Mrs. Mary D Lawter, and Miss Lillian B. Skene. Theodore E
Bruning, Jr. was appointed headmaster July 1, 1973. Faced with steadily rising operation costs and
declining income due to reduced student enrollment, announcement was made on February 13, 1975 that
Fairfax Hall would cease operating as an independent boarding school at the close of its 55th year on May
31, 1975.
The same local newspaper, which heralded its birth in 1920, editorialized on its closing: “for more than
half a century this school has stood guard over Waynesboro from its lofty perch to the east. Far above that,
it has been a vital part of the city … a tradition … a landmark ... an academic influence .. a contributor to
civic pride.
“Like the death of a valued friend, the impending loss of Fairfax Hall brings memories flooding back …
memories of colorful laurel-chain ceremonies, of happy ring figures, of young ladies dashing into town for
a Coke. These things and so many others which every graduate will recall with a special fondness cannot
easily be replaced.
“In uncounted ways, Fairfax Hall has proved a good neighbor from the day of its founding in 1920. It has
provided steady employment for 55 or more people; its students and their parents have been a factor the
retail and travel economy; its fine reputation and its national advertising have brought attention to
Waynesboro from far and wide; members of its staff have played major roles in community endeavors…
“Whatever transpires, Fairfax Hall stands as a monument to the important concept of individualized,
independent education. It’s a concept the nation can ill afford to let slip away; yet it is slipping away.
”We know now how, but perhaps those hundreds who have loved and respected Fairfax Hall and who
today call it alma mater, still may find the road to survival. An institution in which has given so much to so
many surely deserves the effort.”
Historical Sketch of Fairfax Hall
FAST FACTS
Years of Operation:
1920 to 1975
Founder:
Prof. J. Noble Maxwell
School Song:
Alma Mater (pdf)
489K (could someone
please record this and
send a .wav file to post.)
School Motto:
Courageously
and Faithfully
Book about school:
Memories Will Always
Linger by Liz Tidwell.
Many alumni
contributed to
research for this
mystery novel set in
the school. Available
at writestuffva.com
Interesting Note:
Fairfax Hall was the
name of a school for
girls in Winchester,
VA from 1869 to
1904. Information
and archive records
from the school are
available at Fairfax
Archives.
Years of Operation:
1920 to 1975
Founder:
Prof. J. Noble Maxwell
School Song:
Alma Mater (pdf)
489K (could someone
please record this and
send a .wav file to post.)
School Motto:
Courageously
and Faithfully
Book about school:
Memories Will Always
Linger by Liz Tidwell.
Many alumni
contributed to
research for this
mystery novel set in
the school. Available
at writestuffva.com
Interesting Note:
Fairfax Hall was the
name of a school for
girls in Winchester,
VA from 1869 to
1904. Information
and archive records
from the school are
available at Fairfax
Archives.
| Site Administration: Suggestions for the site should be sent to webmaster@fairfaxhall.com |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|