Campus Master Plan Couples Past, Future

One of the remarkable things about Mercersburg Academy, and there are many, is that you never quite get used to the incomparable beauty of the campus. It is an almost daily event that something grabs your attention–the sun reflecting off of Keil Hall at dusk, the magnificence of the Edwards Room, the magnolia trees in bloom near Ford Hall, the sight of the flag on the cupola of Main, and the spire of the chapel emerging above the trees, all set against the background of the pastoral beauty of south central Pennsylvania.

Looking at our school today, it is hard to imagine that we opened in 1893 with only 40 students and four teachers on just four acres. Fortunately for Mercersburg, we had two distinct advantages in those early days. First was the use of the existing campus of Mercersburg College, and second, and perhaps most important, was the vision of founding headmaster Dr. William Mann Irvine. Dreaming big was not an issue for Dr. Irvine, and he worked tirelessly to envision the ideal campus for the future of Mercersburg. What we see around us now is the direct result of the very seeds he planted over a century ago. It is also the result of the thoughtful and careful stewardship by the many Mercersburg faithful who followed Dr. Irvine and of those who continue to care for our school today.

Central to the long-term continuity of Mercersburg’s campus is the existence of an ever-evolving campus master plan that is revisited at regular intervals to ensure that the school can continue to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world while also always honoring the history and heritage of the institution. As we wrap up the latest version of the campus master plan, I am both excited about its forward-thinking approach and humbled by its deep consideration of our past, including the original intentions of Dr. Irvine. The decisions we make about the physical nature of our school are key to learning, building community, developing relationships, ensuring safety, and inspiring awe. Let us continue to pinch ourselves at least once a day as we pause to appreciate the immense beauty of Mercersburg.

Sincerely,

Quentin McDowell P ’25,

Head of School