History and Traditions

The Tatnall School was founded in 1930 by Frances Dorr Swift Tatnall at her home on 1500 Rodney Street in downtown Wilmington. The school was incorporated in 1936, and in 1952 moved to its present location on  Barley Mill Road in Greenville. The first classes were held in the Sedgely Building. The Donaldson Wing, named after Mrs. Tatnall’s son who died at 16 months, was added in 1954, and the Beekley Building was constructed in 1959. The Myers Building, named after Mrs. Tatnall’s successor Josephine Myers, was added in 1971. The facilities were expanded with the additions of the Laird Arts Center in 1981 and the Welles Activity Center in 1996.

Tatnall was originally a school for girls, and its colors were yellow and white. The school flower was a daisy, and the original school rings were shaped accordingly. In 1964, the school’s colors were changed to black and gold and the hornet became the official school symbol with the graduation of the first co-educational class.

Tatnall is often referred to as “The Family School” because of its rich tradition of cooperation between home and school and the school’s focus on each child’s needs and abilities. But the concept of a Tatnall family also must be attributed directly to Mrs. Tatnall, whose spirit, philosophy and character are ever present in the daily lives of our children.

Traditions

Two special days commemorate Mrs. Tatnall and her legacy: Founder's Day and May Day.

Founder’s Day is held each October to celebrate Mrs. Tatnall’s birthday. Student, parents and grandparents gather in the Beekley Gymnasium for a program of music, awards presentations and tributes to Mrs. Tatnall’s vision.

May Day, held on the first or second Friday in May on the Sedgely Lawn (or in the Beekley Gym depending on the weather) continues a tradition begun by Mrs. Tatnall many years ago. Lower School children present a program of music and dancing (including one of the few examples on the East Coast of an authentic English Maypole dance) while Middle and Upper Schoolers participate in the May Court that includes the crowning of a May Queen. Preschoolers stage their own May Day program before the main celebration.