Abbot Day 2024

Friday, June 7, 2024

10 a.m. | Check-in & Registration
McKeen Rooms, Draper Hall
*If you are in a reunion cycle, please find your full registration in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library.

10:30 a.m. | Stop by the McKeen Rooms for Tiffin
Abbot alumnae headquarters, McKeen Rooms, Draper Hall

11 a.m. | Back to the Classroom Session
School Room, Abbot Hall
Who was Elizabeth Stuart Phelps?
Catherine Tousignant ’88, Instructor, English
Catherine Tousignant ’88 will explore the writings of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. She grew up on campus as the daughter of Austin Phelps, during the time Stowe lived here. She attended Abbot and went on to become a best-selling author in the second half of the 19th century. Her writings include topics such as mill girls in Lawrence, animal rights, women’s rights, and theology.

Noon | Abbot Alumnae Luncheon
Davis Hall, McKeen Hall
Gather for lunch with alumnae from all classes.

1 p.m. | "Dream It, Do It: The Abbot Academy Fund's First Fifty Years"
School Room, Abbot Hall
A film celebrating the impact of Abbot Academy Fund grants over the past 50 years.

1:30 p.m. | Back to the Classroom Session
School Room, Abbot Hall
Galligaskins and the Glass Slipper: Creative Writing
Paul Tortorella, Instructor, English
In this session you will have a choice: stretch your imagination and develop a short piece of writing (poem, story, letter, journal entry) based on your own definition of a strange word (imagine a flapdoodler riding a bike down your street or meeting a Callithumpian for the first time) or write a short story based on the structure of a fairytale. Combine both prompts if you wish! For all ages.

3:30 p.m. | Back to the Classroom Session
School Room, Abbot Hall
She Looked to the Sky
Francie Nolde ’54
Francie Nolde ’54 shares about the process of researching and writing She Looked to the Sky, a moving tribute to her mother, Frances Dean Wilcox Nolde, and her life as a glamorous Broadway actress who became a pioneer pilot, World War II Civil Air Patrol (CAP) commander, winner of an early transcontinental all-women’s air race, and architect of America’s plans for civil aviation should WWIII begin. After marrying a wealthy Pennsylvanian and becoming mother to seven children, Frannie challenged male dominance in aviation while struggling with the traditional roles of women at home. In She Looked to the Sky, her youngest child tells her mother’s story – and her own.

4:15 p.m. | Abbot Alumnae Photos
Come to the steps of McKeen Hall for photos with your fellow alumnae.

4:30 p.m. | Abbot Tea
School Room, Abbot Hall

6 p.m. | Abbot Alumnae Reception and Dinner
Davis Hall, McKeen Hall
Close this nostalgic day as you join fellow alumnae in Davis Hall for cocktails and dinner.


We also welcome all Abbot alumnae to join us in celebrating Andover Day the following day!

Andover Day 2024
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2024

8 a.m. | Back to the Classroom Session I
Join us back in the classroom with faculty and alumni class offerings.

9 a.m. | Back to the Classroom Session II
Join us back in the classroom with faculty and alumni class offerings.

10:30 a.m. | Alumni Parade
We hope you'll celebrate the 4s and 9s by gathering along the reunion parade to clap and cheer as they parade into the Cochran Chapel.

11 a.m. | Celebration of Reunion
Join us at the Cochran Chapel for an address from Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, ’27

Noon | Picnic Luncheon
Richard T. Greener Quadrangle

1:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Activities

Alumni Soccer Game, Todd A. Isaac ’90 Memorial Basketball Game, Back to the Classroom Sessions, Campus Tours, and Addison Gallery of American Art Open House

3 p.m. | CAMD Open House
CAMD, Morse Hall

4 p.m. | Athletics Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony
Pan Athletic Center