On February 13, Lake Forest Academy recognized the 168 years of education and community with the celebration of LFA Charter Day. The event marked LFA’s birthday and 1857 commencement as an institution. The main event took place in the Cressey Theatre for the Arts. Treats and colors of LFA were given to the students after the morning meeting to acknowledge the memorable day.
Interim Head of School Tom Johnson explained the origins of LFA and the drastically different characteristics of the academy during its founding, “The school started at Lake Forest College with a group of Presbyterians who came from north of the city wanting to form a college for their children. They received a gift to fund their relationship with Lynn University which then became Lake Forest College in 1857. But, they started with a [separate] boys prep school and a girls prep school in conjunction. When LFA started, it was very small, there were five students and one teacher in the first year. A couple of years later, there were 50 students and three teachers. Tuition was $30, and boarding was $60.”
Johnson noted the phases of LFA before it settled into its current location. “LFA was really founded at the Grand Art Institute (a building at the corner of Lake Forest College right across from the first Presbyterian church). This is now an art building at the College. Ferry Hall’s original building is now a housing building on Mayflower Road in Lake Forest and was sold in 1974. In the 1940s, the boy’s school moved to our current campus. The boys and girls prep schools and college were all working together for about 80 years.”
Director of the Library and Archivist at LFA Rita MacAyeal added, “When we celebrate Charter Day, we’re celebrating the very first university charter, Lynn University, and that was filed with the Legislature on February 13, 1857.” MacAyeal noted, “I remember that part of the tradition was everyone gathering together to celebrate its birthday, and there would be cake or cupcakes. [It was] similar to Ferry Hall Day.”
Reflecting on LFA traditions, Johnson said, “My favorite is definitely the All-School Handshake. I just think it’s such a great way to start the school year and meet people, to start on a positive note and sort of symbolize that connection that we all have together as a school. I’ve never heard of anything like it at another school. It is unique to LFA.”
