Blair Acquires 120 Additional Acres

Headmaster Chan Hardwick announces the acquisition of a 120-acre tract of land, previously referred to as the "Girl Scout property," which adjoins Blair's campus on the north and west, from the Girl Scouts of Greater Essex and Hudson Counties.

He notes that securing this property - after over 20 years of discussions and negotiations - has been made possible through the generous support of Blair Trustee Herbert J. Siegel '46. "[The purchase] will both protect Blair from encroaching development and provide the School with a land bank for future consideration," said Mr. Hardwick.

He added, "As Jack Turpin '62, Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, said, the new property will allow us to expand our current playing fields and facilities as well as to protect the rural nature of Blair's campus forever. This purchase creates one of the largest independent school campuses in the Eastern United States, a fact that does not itself alter Blair's strong academic reputation but certainly suggests the significant natural resources the School possesses to build on in the future."

The October 2 edition of The Star-Ledger (New Jersey's largest daily newspaper), included a front-page story in the New Jersey section - complete with four color photos - by Mike Frassinelli. Mr. Hardwick noted that [the story] "highlighted the gift and how it benefits not only Blair Academy but also generations of New Jersey girls who will now continue to be able to participate in camping and outdoor activities through the endowment fund which was created as a result of the sale." Click to read the Star-Ledger article. Posted 10/4/06

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