Simsbury Historical Society, Local Prep School Partner For Major Fundraiser

SIMSBURY, CT — The Simsbury Historical Society and The Ethel Walker School are launching a strategic partnership to expand educational programs, internships, and student involvement in the community.

The partnership comes as the Simsbury private school becomes a sponsor of the historical society's Scarecrow Day, its largest annual event.

This year's celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historical society, 800 Hopmeadow St.

Ethel Walker students will also volunteer at the event.

“Our partnership with Walker’s is a win-win,” Simsbury Historical Society Executive Director Jane McAlpine said. “We welcome the students’ help at Scarecrow Day, an annual event that involves a large number of volunteers, and believe that the experience will strengthen ties within the community for students, many of whom are new to the area.”

The Ethel Walker School has nearly 230 students enrolled for fall 2026, including at least two dozen Simsbury residents, according to the organizations.

Nearly half of the school's faculty, administrators and staff also live in town.

About 20% of the student body is international, and nearly 30% are students of color.

Because most students come from outside the area, the school said volunteering and other opportunities to connect with Simsbury and surrounding communities are an important part of student life.

Ethel Walker students contribute about 5,000 hours of volunteer service annually through community partnerships.

The new arrangement with the historical society will extend beyond Scarecrow Day.

The organizations plan to develop educational programming and internship opportunities that will allow students to explore Simsbury's history.

“We look forward to co-developing custom programs with Walker’s in the coming months and providing channels for students to learn more about local history,” McAlpine said.

Ethel Walker Head of School Dr. Meera Viswanathan said the collaboration fits the school's effort to establish mutually beneficial relationships with local organizations while giving students more ways to become involved in the community.

The school has also established partnerships with the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, Thrive Farm, Simsbury Farms, and the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce.

Both Ethel Walker and the Simsbury Historical Society trace their beginnings to 1911.

The school was founded that year in Lakewood, N.J., before moving in 1917 to the former Phelps-Dodge estate in Simsbury.

Today, the independent college preparatory boarding and day school serves girls in grades seven through 12, along with postgraduate students, at its Bushy Hill Road campus.

The historical society operates a more than 2-acre site within the Simsbury Center Historic District. Its property includes the Phelps Tavern, built in 1771 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

McAlpine said partnerships with schools, businesses and civic organizations are part of the historical society's long-term strategic planning.

Scarecrow Day Returns Sept. 19

Scarecrow Day, an annual fall tradition at the Simsbury Historical Society, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 on the front lawn of the society's 800 Hopmeadow St. property.

Participants can select a scarecrow frame, dress it, stuff it with straw, and decorate it with materials supplied by the historical society.

Visitors can then take their finished scarecrows home.

The cost is $20 per scarecrow; cash and credit cards are accepted. Advance registration is not required.

Organizers are preparing 400 scarecrow frames and expect more than 750 visitors.

For more information on 'Scarecrow Day,' click on this link.