The entire eighth-grade class gathered in Eliot Chapel last Thursday to take a step back in time with Country Day School alum and archivist Cliff Saxton ’64. « Today, I want you to try to imagine YOU were in school a century ago at Mary Institute or Country Day, » said Saxton as he set the tone for his presentation. Saxton has been invited to speak to the senior Middle School class annually for the past four years. Through him, students are given a whole new perspective on MICDS as they learn about what being in class was like here decades ago.
Saxton has a lengthy legacy at our school, with family ties extending back to 1860 when his great-grandmother (Class of 1869) was enrolled at Mary Institute, followed by his grandmother (MI 1897) and his father (CDS 1923). After graduating, Saxton earned his degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, served four years in the Navy during the Vietnam era, and embarked on a career as a journalist, speechwriter, author, and historian. For the past 18 years, Saxton has volunteered as one of two Country Day archivists, helping preserve our school’s history alongside fellow archivist Peter Griffin ’69. « My love of history started at CDS, » he told the students. « Now, nearly 60 years later, I’m back volunteering in the CDS archives, and I hope some of you may do the same someday. »
Opening his talk by ringing a vintage school bell to « call the class to order, » he summarized the history of Country Day, which was originally located on Brown Road near Lambert Airport and moved to Ladue in 1958. He described the « country day school movement » in progressive education that originated in the late 19th century and subsequently was embraced by dozens of schools. Harkening back to his CDS days, he touched upon a number of areas, including school attire, dining hall food, early transportation via electric trolley, technology, and discipline.
Saxton shared many anecdotes about our school. Did you know that a small private plane once made an emergency landing on a Country Day football field in 1929? Were you aware that CDS also once had a zoo, gifted by a student, which featured various small animals and a cranky, seven-foot alligator that was fond of escaping from its enclosure? Have graduates you know ever mentioned « Saturday Sessions, » which were meted out for misbehavior…or the fact that teachers routinely smoked in class?
« I loved hearing all the interesting stories that Mr. Saxton had to share with us, » said Kevon Phillips ’28. « Learning about MICDS Rams history opened my eyes to all the amazing things that occurred before I attended here. Also, I enjoyed trying the old typewriter, which humbled me very quickly. Lastly, because of my passion for football, hearing about the old football history at CODASCO stuck with me. »
Olivier Leyland ’28 enjoyed the stories, too. « The stories helped me learn how much MICDS has changed over time. Also, it surprised me that someone was allowed to bring a zoo onto the campus! » Today’s eighth graders got a glimpse of what school was like when students wore blazers and ties, used manual typewriters and rotary telephones, and endured limited lunch menus.
After his presentation, Saxton invited student questions. Among them were the following:
- What is the translation of the Latin words on the school crests?
- Why did the trolley stop bringing students to the Brown Road CDS campus?
- What was the most popular Country Day sport?
- Did Mary Institute have male teachers, and did Country Day have female teachers?
- What was the « Ramigator »? (This was a proposed mascot for the merged schools.)
- Was John Burroughs always Country Day’s biggest rival?
- Is the MICDS Middle School building haunted?
- How old was Mary Eliot when she died?
Afterward, students crowded around the manual typewriter that Saxton brought to the event, curious about how to operate it. Two also thanked him for his military service.
Student and faculty response to the program was highly enthusiastic. Isolde Scoville ’28 explained, « This presentation made me feel proud to be a part of the MICDS community. Mr. Saxton told us fun stories about Codasco and taught us about Mary Institute back then. There were also a bunch of cool artifacts we got to learn about and use. This was a great experience! »
Middle School Librarian Bethany Kavanaugh echoed that same sentiment. « The archival presentation with Cliff was an amazing experience, » she said. « As a librarian, I have an appreciation for the preservation of history, and in another life, I would have loved to be an archivist. Being able to compare our current school’s culture and climate with how things were decades ago allowed us all to see the evolution of MICDS. I can’t speak for everyone, but it definitely changed my perspective on the school as a whole for the better. I’m also glad that we have more for lunch than canned chicken and canned beans! »
Chris Militello ’82, Middle School History Teacher, loved the talk as well. « Cliff connected with the kids really well, and I think he brought to life how school is now compared to the way it used to be, » he said. « The kids were fascinated by the differences in technology, teacher interaction, and transportation to and from school. »
Piper Summers ’28 enjoyed when Mr. Saxton compared student life now to what it was like years ago. « I had a lot of fun hearing stories about his Country Day experience, » she said. « We were able to learn about the development and growth of Mary Insitute and Country Day and compare that to modern-day standards. There were also interactive items to see and use, including an old telephone and a typewriter, giving us more of an insight. Thank you so much for this opportunity. »
Of course, Saxton told the eighth-grade class about the school’s archives located in the STEM building on campus. He hopes they will all get the chance to visit the Country Day archives in the Upper School one day.
Concluding his presentation, Saxton shared a few « words of wisdom » to the students as they approach their four Upper School years: « You go to a great school. You have wonderful teachers, some of whom will become friends for life. You have tremendous opportunities to learn who you are and where your interests lie. Be yourself and believe in yourself. You are becoming part of our school’s history. »
He also encouraged students to start their own personal archives. « It can be as simple as keeping items in a shoebox or drawer. Fifty years from now, you’ll be telling your grandchildren about what school life was like in 2023. »
Natalie Griffin, Middle School Latin Teacher, shared, « I am so glad that Cliff’s presentation has become an annual event! He is a treasure. » Thank you, Mr. Saxton, for turning back time for our eighth graders. What a privilege it was for eighth-grade students to walk down school history lane with you!