History of Lakeside School’s Buildings and Landmarks Historical Overview of the Campus In 1919 Frank Moran founded Moran‐Lakeside School, “a boarding and day school for younger boys” in the Denny‐
Blaine district of Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington. Moran‐Lakeside served boys (and two girls, one of whom was Moran’s daughter) ages 6 through 13. It was originally conceived as a feeder school for Moran’s upper school on Bainbridge Island. After the first four years, a group of parents led by Reginald Parsons incorporated the school, listing it as “Lakeside Day School” on the 1923 incorporation paperwork. In 1924 the board of trustees changed the name to Lakeside School for Boys and moved the campus to 36th Avenue Northeast, the current location of The Bush School, where it remained for six years. In 1930, Lakeside’s campus moved to the north end of Seattle and changed its name to “Lakeside Country Day School.” Lakeside Country Day served lower school students (grades five through eight) and upper school students (nine through twelve). The name change lasted only a year, and in 1931, by the time construction began on the headmaster’s house, “The Lakeside School” had an enrollment of 75 students, some of whom were boarders. Grades five and six were phased out in the early 1940s. By 1964, due to increased local interest and in order to make room for more day students, the school phased out its boarding program and converted Moore Hall (originally the dormitory) into offices and classroom space. In 1971, the school dropped the “The” and became “Lakeside School.” That same year Lakeside and St. Nicholas School—a girls‐only school then located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood—merged. St. Nicholas had served grades five through twelve, so when the two schools merged, Lakeside formed a middle school which served grades five through eight in the old St. Nicholas School building, while grades nine through twelve remained on the Lakeside campus at 145th Avenue NE. In 1981, Lakeside sold the St. Nicholas School building to Cornish College of the Arts, purchased the former Haller Lake Elementary School (two blocks south of the Upper School campus), and consolidated the two campuses. In 1999, Haller Lake School (then Lakeside Middle School) was demolished in order to make way for the new Middle School. *Buildings and landmarks listed below are in alphabetical order; completion of construction dates and architects (if known) are in parentheses. Ackerley Athletics Center (NO LONGER STANDING. 1999‐2013, LMN Architects) The Ackerley Athletics Center updated the original gymnasium (constructed in 1930) and renovated the Fieldhouse (constructed in 1978). The gym’s original barrel roof was replaced by a steel girder construction that added 50 percent more ceiling height and doubled the volume. Other improvements and additions to the gym included: brighter, more modern lighting; refurbished locker rooms; a new squash court; athletic storage space; a new classroom; a new coaches office; a women’s restroom; an athletic training room; updates to plumbing, heating, electrical, and ventilation systems; and a permanent sound system. The Fieldhouse was also updated; changes included: new flooring; expansion of the aerobic and conditioning rooms; enlarged men’s and women’s restrooms; and an added storage facility for Outdoor Program equipment. The Ackerley Athletics Center underwent a major renovation in 2001. In 2014, the buildings were demolished to make way for the Paul G. Allen Athletics Center. Page | 1 Allen‐Gates Hall (1987, Skip Norton and Holden Withington ’75 of Bassetti, Norton, Metler, and Rekevics architectural firm) In August of 1986, $2.2 million was gifted to Lakeside by alumni Bill Gates ’73 and Paul Allen ’71 toward the construction of a new science and math facility. The new facility was named after Allen and Gates and dedicated to the memory of their classmate and fellow Lakeside Programming Group founder, Kent Evans ’73. Evans was killed in a climbing accident during his junior year at Lakeside. Allen and Gates chose to give Lakeside the generous gift because the school “provided a unique environment that played a crucial role in our success in the computer industry,” said Bill Gates in 1986. Bliss Hall (1930, Bebb & Gould Architects) Bliss was one of the first four buildings constructed on Lakeside’s north Seattle campus. It is named for Charles K. Bliss, Headmaster from 1923 until 1930 and faculty member until 1941. Bliss Hall was the only classroom building in the early years—Lower School (grades 7 and 8) included. In the late 1930s, the fourth floor of Bliss served as the rifle range, where Rifle Club members practiced their shooting skills. Bullet holes could still be seen in the walls in the late 70s‐90s when the fourth floor was home to a section of the school’s visual arts department. In 1997, the interior of Bliss was remodeled. The art department moved to the Pigott Family Art Center (1998, Carlson Architects) and the fourth floor of Bliss was turned into development department offices. In 2003, one area of the top floor was outfitted with humidity and temperature controls and shelving to accommodate the school’s archives, a program begun that year. Since 1997, Bliss has housed the Upper School and Head of School’s administrative offices, the history and language departments, the college counseling center, and the development offices. Fieldhouse (1978‐2013, Fred Bassetti & Company Architects) Lakeside’s first Fielhouse was added to the campus in 1978. The 24,256 square foot building with a 12,347 square foot tartan floor was connected to the 1930 gymnasium building. The Fieldhouse provided a locker room for girls (the campus had been all‐boys until the spring of 1971), office and classroom space, and a large instruction area. The 1979 senior class each carved a brick to adorn the bare walls of the new Fieldhouse. The idea came from then Latin teacher Ken Van Dyke who had mentioned that Forest Ridge School had a brick wall with each student’s name stamped into it. Van Dyke suggested that each senior personalize a brick to cover the bare concrete Fieldhouse wall. Bill Holt ’79 took up the cause. Holt obtained the materials, lined‐up the mason, and persuaded his classmates to carve their bricks. Each year, Holt returned to help the students carve their bricks. In 2013, when the old gymnasium and the Fieldhouse were demolished to make way for the new athletics center, Holt advocated for the senior bricks. The bricks were meticulously removed and each class’s brick wall was reconstructed in the basement of the Paul G. Allen Athletics Center. Fix Hall / Fix Alumni Center / Fix Library (1952) In 1952, after six years of planning and delay, Fix Hall was built on Lakeside’s campus. Fix was originally called the George Dodson Fix Memorial Library after Lakeside alumnus George Fix ’41 who was killed in 1944 while serving in the Second World War. Page | 2 Fix was the school’s first library building; prior to its construction, the library was on the second floor of Bliss Hall. When Pigott Memorial Library was constructed in 1979, Fix Library became Fix Alumni Center. The Alumni Center was used for meetings and alumni gatherings; college counseling was on the main floor and there were wilderness classes and space for records storage in the basement. In 1997, when the alumni and development offices moved to the fourth floor of Bliss Hall and college counseling to the third, Fix’s upper level became the home of the admissions department and the communications department moved to the lower level. The Gymnasium (NO LONGER STANDING. 1930‐2013, Bebb & Gould Architects) The gymnasium was one of the first four buildings on Lakeside’s north Seattle campus. Because it was constructed with money donated anonymously, it was never named. An addition was added in 1959 and renovations were made in 1970 to accommodate the new students (female) arriving at Lakeside as a result of the merger with St. Nicholas School. Aside from physical education and athletics, the gym was used for a variety of events including commencement exercises (until 2002), dances, auctions, rummage sales, and reunions. Haller Lake School / Lakeside Middle School (NO LONGER STANDING. 1925‐1999, The Great Northern Sound Construction Company) Construction began on Haller Lake School in 1923 to accommodate a growing population of children in the area which was then Shoreline, Washington. Construction was completed in 1925. Additions to the building were made in 1938 and 1950; landscaping work began in 1939. In 1954, Haller Lake became part of the Seattle School district. Play structures were added in 1978, but by 1979, enrollment decreased to such an extent that the school was closed. In November of 1980, Lakeside School successfully bid $1,655,000 for the building and 5.2 acres of land and became the owner in March 1981. The purchase was made possible by considerable neighborhood and community support through the Haller Lake Improvement Club. Extensive renovations were made during the summer of 1981 in order to be able to open September 16, 1981 as the Lakeside Middle School on the Haller Lake campus, with Marcia Crossetto as the Director. A Gala Opening Celebration was held October 11, 1981 during which thanks were extended to the community and neighbors for their support, the metal letters spelling “Haller Lake School” were given to the Haller Lake Improvement Club for safekeeping, and tours of the facilities, food, and entertainment were enjoyed by all who attended. Between 1981 and 2003 the old gym was remodeled into the Performing Arts Center, a new gymnasium was built at the north end of the building, and landscaping around the building was completed. The Haller Lake School building was demolished to make way for the new Middle School building in 1999. Page | 3 The Head’s House (1931, Bebb & Gould Architects) The Head’s House was completed in 1931, one year after the four original campus buildings. An anonymous donor (the same who funded the original gymnasium building) provided $10,000 on the condition that Lakeside would raise the remaining $15,000 needed to construct a house for then headmaster, T. R. Hyde. Hyde occupied the house until 1934 when Robert Simeon Adams, his wife Mary, and their son Hazard ’43 moved in. In 1950, Adams, during his sixteenth year as headmaster, died suddenly of a heart attack. The board hired Dexter Strong in 1951 and he and his wife Helen occupied the house until his retirement in 1969. Before the freeway construction began (around 1962), the Strong family added the deck on the back of the house. After the freeway opened, the deck was no longer usable because of the traffic noises. From 1969 until 1975 faculty member C.L. “Mac” McCuskey, his wife Amelia, and their family lived in the house. Dan (headmaster 1969‐90) and Susan Ayrault and family moved into the house in 1975. During the summer of 1989 through the summer of 1990, the deck was enclosed and the kitchen enlarged to its present configuration. The outdoor patio was built and enclosed at this time, the downstairs floor was redone adding the stenciling you see around the edges of the rooms, and the present parking lot was constructed out of a portion of center field and the lawn in front of the house. The firm of Bassetti, Norton, and Mettler were the architects for these renovations. Headmaster Dan Ayrault died suddenly of cardiac arrest in February of 1990. The Ayrault family continued to live in the house until 1992, when Terry Macaluso arrived as the first woman head of school (through 1999). From 1999 to the present, Head of School Bernie, his wife Killian, and their two children (classes of 2007 and 2009) have resided there. McAllister House / McAllister Hall (NO LONGER STANDING. 1948‐1998, Howard S. Wright Construction) The Charles Ralyea McAllister Memorial House was named in honor of “Chuck” McAllister ’38 who died in action in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. While a student, McAllister was president of the student council and co‐captain (with Ted McKay ’38) of the football team. McAllister lettered in football and basketball, won the Father & Son Golf Tournament and the Lincoln Forum (a Lakeside speech contest), and was one of five boys chosen to speak to his fellow graduates at commencement. McAllister was the son of the Episcopal Dean in Spokane, Washington who served on the Lakeside Board of Trustees. The funding for McAllister House was given by friends of the McAllister family and by the school. The McAllister House (the name changed to “McAllister Hall” shortly after construction) was originally conceived as a recreation house for the boarding students, but was instead built as a dormitory for the Lower School students. The building also served as faculty housing, and was later home to the math department and Lakeside’s early computer program which is well‐known for capturing the particular interests of Lakeside alumni Bill Gates ’73, Kent Evans ’73, Paul Allen ’71, and Ric Weiland ’71 who formed the Lakeside Programming Group during their time at Lakeside. In 1998, the Pigott Family Arts Center was constructed on the foundation of McAllister Hall. Page | 4 McKay Chapel (1951, Bebb & Jones Architects) The Theodore Aiken McKay Memorial Chapel was named in honor of “Ted” McKay ’38 who died in action in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. While a student, McKay was vice‐president of the student council, president of the Big “L” Club, co‐captain (with Chuck McAllister ’38) of the football team, and one of five boys chosen to speak to his fellow graduates at commencement. The Chapel was a gift of the McKay family and is dedicated to the thirteen alumni who lost their lives in World War II. Although Lakeside was founded as (and remains) a secular school, chapel services were held in McKay for a brief period in the 1950s and ’60s. The Chapel served as the setting for Lakeside’s drama classes and productions prior to the construction of St. Nicholas Hall. The Chapel houses the school’s music program and serves as a gathering place for school and student meetings, special exhibits including the annual Arts Fest, and as a general event and reception area. The Middle School (1999, NBBJ) The Middle School was the final piece of the Lakeside NOW campaign that raised $50 million for new construction, building improvements, endowment, and technology. Every classroom and office in the new Middle School was wired for internet and phone access; two new computer labs were configured with new computers; the science rooms featured new equipment and movable work stations; and to accommodate the school’s then new laptop program, the 7th‐grade rooms were all outfitted with the necessary hubs and furniture to support the students who are working with the new computers. Approximately 70 percent of the old Haller Lake School building (its demolition took over two weeks) was reused or recycled. Moore Hall (1930, Bebb & Gould Architects) Moore Hall was one of the first four buildings constructed on Lakeside’s campus. It was named in honor of Walter A. Moore, a dedicated Trustee, dentist, and lumber executive who assisted the school in its move to the current location and in financing the original campus buildings. Moore Hall was Lakeside’s dormitory from 1930 until the boarding program was phased out in 1964, though renovations began as early as 1960. The building became classroom and office space in order to accommodate an increase in enrollment. In 1993 and 1994, renovations were made to the exterior of Moore, and in 1997, the top floor of Moore was remodeled into working spaces for the school’s Business Office. Most English classes are held in Moore Hall and the business office and human resources department are on the top floor. The Parents Association building and Rummage Depot / The Infirmary building (1986 / 1942) The Parents Association building, located in the northeast corner of campus, was originally constructed in 1942 as the school’s infirmary. In later years it served as faculty housing, the school’s business office, and the school’s Page | 5 weight room. In 1986, the building was renovated in order to accommodate its new purpose: the Parents Association offices and the Rummage Depot. The Parents Association (founded in 1941 as the Mothers’ Club, changed to the Parents Club in 1978, then to the Parents Association in 1990) collects and sorts items for the school’s rummage sale on the lower level of the building. The upper level is where PA volunteers and staff conduct their business. Lakeside’s first Rummage Sale was held in the spring of 1950 and has grown to become a famous event throughout the city. Proceeds from the spring and fall sales go toward financial aid, faculty support, LEEP, school programs, Parents Association operations, and other special needs. Parsons Field (1931) Parsons Field, built in 1931, is named for Reginald Parsons, a founder and former President of the Board of Trustees (1923‐1931). Parsons provided funding toward the construction of all of the buildings on the school’s 1930 campus, but the construction of Lakeside’s original football field and track were largely made possible due to Parsons’ generous donations. Paul G. Allen Athletics Center (2014, LMN Architects) Opened in January of 2015, the Paul G. Allen Athletics Center replaced Lakeside’s original gymnasium (1930, Bebb & Gould Architects), the Ackerley Athletics Center (1999, LMN Architects), and the Lakeside Fieldhouse (1978, Fred Bassetti & Company Architects). The 63,500 square foot facility features the arena‐style Ackerley Gymnasium, a multi‐purpose fieldhouse, the full‐service Harry Swetnam strength training and cardio spaces, the Ed Putnam Sports Medicine Facility, mat room, three classrooms, and administrative spaces for athletics staff and coaches. Pigott Family Arts Center (1998, Carlson Architects) The Pigott Family Arts Center was constructed on the foundation of McAllister Hall in 1998. The building funds were generous gifts of the Pigott family and the Norcliffe Foundation. The upper level of the Pigott Family Arts Center houses the drawing and painting departments. One floor down is the photography studio, the Numidian and Tatler workrooms, and the Digital Media Arts classroom. A special exhibit that commemorates the founding of the Lakeside Programming Group by Microsoft co‐founders Bill Gates ’73 and Paul Allen ’71 and their friends Kent Evans ’73 and Ric Weiland ’71 sits on the lower level across from the McAllister courtyard. The basement is home to the ceramics studio and sculpture workshop. Pigott Memorial Library (1979, Fred Basetti & Company Architects; Sellen Construction) Lakeside’s library, built in 1979, is named after the Pigott family who provided the funding for the building. In addition to shelving for books, periodicals, and multi‐media materials, the library provides quiet study areas for students, and access to video and audio recording equipment. The Refectory (1930, Bebb & Gould Architects) The original refectory was one of the first four buildings on Lakeside’s north Seattle campus. From 1930 until the early 1970s, lunches were eaten in the style of a sit‐down, family meal. Boarding students ate all of their meals in the refectory along with faculty members who were responsible for watching over the “dorm boys.” Page | 6 When Lakeside merged with St. Nicholas School in 1971, the increase in students and faculty required that an addition be made to the original building, and for the old style of dining (formal, sit‐down) to give way to cafeteria style dining. In 1998, the Howard S. Wright Community Center was added on to the original refectory building, and parts of the building were transformed into the Fireplace Room (meeting room), faculty and staff offices, and the bookstore. St. Nicholas Hall (1979, Fred Bassetti & Company Architects) In 1979, the Lakeside Board of Trustees named St. Nicholas Hall after the school for girls that merged with Lakeside (then all‐male) in 1971. “St. Nick” houses the drama department, the outdoor program, and the largest auditorium on campus with seating for up to 350 people. Before Pigott Family Arts Center was built, St. Nick was home to the wood and metal shops, and the ceramics studio. The Sundial (NO LONGER STANDING. 1995‐2011, project head and chief designer: Woody Sullivan P ’01; students: Rachel Sullivan ’95, Etienne Lebailly ’95, Darin Beffa ’97; assisting artists: Ross Brown ’75 Peter Bevis; materials and installation: Lease Crutcher Lewis Construction; concrete bench with terrazzo dial panels and bronze gnomon; dimensions: each panel: 25 inches x 100 inches; materials: bronze gnomon, terrazzo panels with imbedded bronze disks, concrete; accuracy: 2 minutes. The sundial was the gift of the Class of 1995 to Lakeside Upper School. The starting concept was of a horizontal dial with a nodus suspended above the ground, but Seattle's winter sun is so low (only 19° maximum) that a very large ground area would be needed to accommodate the winter sun. Therefore receiving surface ("dial plate") was tilted for the winter half of the year at an angle of 47.7° so that the plane intersected the celestial pole. The sundial was arranged so that the date line for the equinoxes was precisely at the intersection of the two receiving planes. Thus the nodus, actually an aperture 24 inch above the ground, casted a spot of light on two planes of terrazzo‐style cement, one horizontal and the other tilted. In addition to lines for the solstices and equinoxes, a noon analemma of stainless‐steel strips was provided. To personalize the dial, each of the 114 members of the graduating class was asked to provide a marble, which was placed such that the spot of sunlight would cross that student's marble on his/her birthday. This was duly done and looked nice for a while, but then within a year the marbles were smashed with a hammer. They were thus all removed and replaced with identical bronze disks at the same locations. The motto, inscribed at the northside base of the gnomon, read "Turn to the sun and shadows fall behind," appropriate for the reader of the motto sitting on the bench, facing south. Due to damage, the Sundial was demolished and removed in 2011 with the help of Lease Crutcher Lewis Construction. The Tombstone (1971, Lakeside class of 1971) The tombstone that stands in the grass on the north side of McKay Chapel was created and donated to the school by the class of 1971 on the eve of Lakeside’s merger with St. Nicholas. Lakeside had been all‐male since its founding, and the class of 1971 meant for the tombstone to mark the end of an era. Page | 7 The inscription on the tombstone reads: “In Memory of the Passing of the Last All Male Lakeside Senior Class, 1971, Virgor Vivat Virilis.” The Latin phrase at the base of the stone, if spelled correctly, would translate to mean “long live virility.” However, the first word, “Virgor” is misspelled. The correct spelling would be “Vigor.” The misspelling has been said to have been simply an oversight, likely misread from the piece of paper where the phrase had been handwritten by the school’s Latin teacher at the time, Ken Van Dyke. Winds of Friendship sculpture (1988, Northwest artist Parks Anderson) In 1984, with the help of Jim Talbot ’45, Lakeside sought to dispel myths and promote cross‐cultural understanding by bringing together students from the United States and Russia. First, Lakeside and Moscow School #20 held a simultaneous swim meet. Shortly thereafter, the two schools participated in a real‐time chess match with moves transmitted by Telex. In 1985, Lakeside students departed for Russia as a part of the school’s first prolonged student exchange trip, and the Lakeside Intercultural Program (LIP) was created to facilitate other such relationships in the future. The Winds of Friendship, located on the southwest side of Allen‐Gates Hall, commemorates the relationship between Lakeside and Moscow School #20. The sculptor, Parks Anderson, created two: one for each school. The sculptures are gifts of Helen and Max Gurvich. The Wright Community Center (WCC) (1998, Carlson Architects) The WCC is a 14,000 square‐foot addition to the north end of the refectory building, completed in 1998. The building is named in memory of Howard S. Wright (1927‐1996), Lakeside alumnus, class of 1945; trustee for twenty years; and Board President from 1974 to 1976. The WCC serves as the central gathering place for students, faculty, and staff during free time and meal times. It also hosts a number of events for students, parents, faculty, alumni, trustees, and the public. Page | 8