The Orchard School's Centennial Celebration: 100 Years of Progressive Education

1/1/2023

Pictures from all three days are at the very bottom of this message. Orchard Community, please check your email for a FULL PHOTO ALBUM of the weekend.

Happy New Year, Owls!

As we welcome 2023 and enter the second half of Orchard's 100th year, let's take a look back at one of the most memorable gatherings in Orchard's history—Centennial Celebration Weekend. Enjoy the wrap-up video and photos below. And in case you missed it, you can keep scrolling to read a little bit more about each day of the event. All of us at Orchard wish you a happy and healthy new year.

DAY 1: CENTENNIAL FALL FEST - SEPT. 30

Fall Festival on Friday kicked off the weekend with beautiful autumn weather and family fun by the Cabin for over 1200 Orchard Owls. From face painting and balloon twisting to pumpkins and hayrides, dancing with The Doo!, and s’mores by the campfire, our deepest gratitude goes out to the entire Howald family and Howald Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing for their generosity as our presenting sponsor.

DAY 2: EVENING AT THE EITELJORG - OCT. 1

Saturday evening was yet another amazing night of celebration as nearly 600 adults in our community gathered on the terrace of The Eiteljorg Museum for a toast to Orchard. Thanks to the generosity of our presenting sponsor, The National Bank of Indianapolis, old friends were reunited, memories were shared, and the joy of Orchard was on display. Highlights of the evening included a guest appearance with the Cool City Band by our own Darren Lauria on the sax, Max Eiteljorg presenting Peg Sharples with the inaugural distinction of Orchard Legend, and a rousing rendition of the Orchard hymn and fight song at the stroke of midnight.

DAY 3: FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION - OCT. 2

The sun continued to shine on Orchard Sunday afternoon as hundreds of Owls gathered back on campus to honor our nine founders and conclude the weekend of centennial celebration with quintessential Orchard activities. Mayor Joe Hogsett kicked off the event by proclaiming September 30 - October 2, 2022 as The Orchard School Weekend in the City of Indianapolis, followed by the presentation of Orchard’s annual Heritage Awards. Family and friends enjoyed reminiscing over the contents of the 1989 time capsule, eating pancake tacos drizzled with Orchard maple syrup in the Sugar Shack, petting the animals, and exploring campus together. I’d like to think that our founders would be overjoyed knowing we spent Orchard’s 100th birthday outside, playing and celebrating together as a community.