Molly McKeon '06

Students gather in the Main School Building Lobby and enjoy the traditional Friday afternoon treat of cookies and cocoa. A fire roars behind them in one of the many fireplaces on the campus. French teacher and Co-Director of the Deerfield Academy Press Andrea Moorhead has authored a book about fireplaces that focuses on the traditions of Deerfield students that have been shaped around the fireplaces.

Headmaster Eric Widmer approached Mrs. Moorhead with a request to document the Deerfield fireplaces. Mrs. Moorhead decided to write about fireside memories and moments rather than writing a mere inventory of fireplaces. The book will include information about nine different fireplaces on campus including former Headmaster Frank Boyden's very own fireplace in Ephraim Williams as well as some of the history of the houses of Historic Deerfield. Though still under consideration, The Hearth: A Deerfield Tradition is the working title.

The book will give its readers a deeper look into many of the faculty houses, including the Manse. It will primarily focus on the faculty houses that were dorms during Mr. Boyden's leadership. These include the Saxton House, the Joseph Stebbins House, and the Nims House. During Mr. Boyden's tenure, fireplaces were part of almost all of Historic Deerfield's buildings. Even Mr. Boyden's desk could be found in front of a fireplace.

Mrs. Moorhead did most of her research through the academy archives. She also used information from Amelia Miller and Susan McGowan's book Family and Landscape, which gave historical insights as far back as 1671.

There will also be many illustrations of these fireplaces from the past and present. Mrs. Moorhead will incorporate several early twentieth-century photos taken by the Allen sisters, as well as photos by Ben Bensen of the Bement School. In addition, it will also include artwork by Olivia Ontaneda '03.

The book is expected to be about 48 pages and will make its appearance in time for Parents' Day this spring.

The Deerfield Academy Press will publish the book, which is also responsible for publishing many student works including The Little Brown House Review and The Buttonball Papers.