Lexington, KY - In 1957, Margaret Cowling's parents took a leap of faith when they decided to transfer their fifth grade daughter from Sayre School to a recently established, but highly regarded, private institution on Georgian Way called The Lexington School.
Sayre was certainly a respectable school, but the Cowlings, who were both teachers themselves, had heard The Lexington School had smaller, more intimate classes, taught multiple foreign languages, and offered an overall more challenging academic environment.
While Cowling, a bright-eyed 10-year-old with aspirations of someday becoming an actress, had a passion for learning and saw the move as a new adventure, she never dreamed that her ambitions would someday lead her back to become a teacher at the school of her youth and write a commemorative book about the inspirational institution.
But life is funny in the way that sometimes the most unexpected and far-fetched notions become a reality, and then one can no longer imagine things any other way.
With a storied history and an eye toward the future, The Lexington School will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Golden Anniversary Open House & Tour at 2 p.m. Nov. 1. And with that important milestone, Cowling will appropriately unveil her book documenting the personalities and happenings of the school that had such an influential impact on her life.
The Lexington School was founded by the now prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder Josephine Abercrombie, who had relished the small classes and nurturing teachers at The Rice Institute in Houston, Texas, where she attended college. After moving to the Lexington area with her father in 1952 to establish their Thoroughbred breeding farm, Pin Oak, Abercrombie decided that she wanted to do something to give back to the community. She had been influenced by her father, an avid philanthropist, who was one of the founders of the Texas Children's Hospital.
Abercrombie's dream was to establish a school that would "inspire a love of learning that would last a lifetime," wrote Cowling, who called Abercrombie "an elegant and understated lady."
"Her effort was about achieving a dream to benefit others, not to promote herself," noted Cowling, who added that Abercrombie could have easily named the school "The Abercrombie Academy" since she was the founder, but she chose instead to highlight the city in which the school was established.
Cowling's vivid descriptions of each of the individuals that comprised the first faculty at The Lexington School (TLS) are clear evidence of the affect the institution had on her early years. "The teachers not only loved their jobs, but they also had an extraordinary knowledge of their particular subject that filled the classrooms with excitement," Cowling said. "They were also very experienced people who relished the opportunity of creating a new school and developing new curriculums. This is also a great reflection of the administration; they recognized great teaching, and they made an extraordinary and constant effort to bring these people to The Lexington School." She added that it was these first important figures in her life that had inspired her to become a teacher later on.
When Cowling was in eighth grade, her family moved to Princeton, N.J., and she was forced to attend a large school very much unlike TLS; one that stereotyped her as a "Kentucky girl."
"I think if I had come to school without shoes they would not have been surprised," she exclaimed. "For the first year nobody even tried to learn my name. I was simply 'Kentucky.'"
In the midst of her hard times at her new school in New Jersey, however, Cowling realized TLS had taught her several life skills that helped her cope with her new situation: work ethic, organization, how to ask pertinent questions, and how to prepare for difficult situations.
Cowling went on to attend Indiana University, where she earned a Master's degree in both history and English. She went to New York City after graduate school with lofty intentions of becoming an actress. After studying with Stella Adler and participating in some touring companies, however, Cowling realized she wasn't quite cut out for city life. She decided to take a break, and came to teach history and drama for one year at TLS in 1975.
"My intention was to teach for a year and then return to New York City," Cowling remembered. "To my infinite and unending surprise, I found more challenge, joy and fulfillment in teaching than I had ever thought possible. Instead of leaving after one year, I have stayed ever since, and every day and every year is always a chance to do a better job.
"I especially enjoy the aspect of bringing people to life in history, so I read as many biographies as possible. You are never 'done' in teaching, and that is what keeps it alive and fresh. You can always read more, discover more, and bring in a new angle or approach."
Cowling settled back into the Chevy Chase neighborhood where she grew up, and also worked on the side as a tour guide for such historic Lexington sites as the Ashland Henry Clay Estate, Mary Todd Lincoln House, Waveland and the Hunt-Morgan house.
Around two years ago, Charles Baldecchi, the head of TLS, asked Cowling to write the history of the school to commemorate its 50th anniversary. One of the techniques she used to write the book was to ask other schools of a similar or more advanced age than TLS if she could attain a copy of their history. "I was curious to view how others had approached such daunting but delightful tasks," she said. "I learned a great deal, both on the positive and negative sides."
When asked how TLS had changed over the years from the way it was first established and how it had shaped itself into the kind of institution it is today, Cowling noted that the school had stayed true to its original mission, which has been one of the key components of its success. "We work hard at inspiring a love of learning, offering a challenging academic program, encouraging, as well as respecting independent thought, instilling a focused work ethic, and expecting the best from faculty and students alike," she said. "Like anything else, these lofty goals don't create themselves, and, once created, they do not maintain themselves. We work actively and tirelessly to adapt, evolve and learn new strategies in order to keep these goals active, vibrant, appealing and achievable."
The basic purpose of Cowling's book, she said, is to offer a chronicle of the important people and events that have shaped TLS, especially while there are still some around that had the pleasure of experiencing the school during its memorable first days.
But Cowling also hopes the book will serve as much more than just a historical overview of days gone by. "My heartfelt wish as a history teacher is that people will look back and remember the excitement of discovery and the wonder of trying to walk in another person's shoes," she said. "Memories of school should be like that, too -
recollections of a vibrant community that brought out all that is best in ourselves and those around us."
For more information about the school, or for a list of community events, visit www.lexingtonschool.org.