Heritage

Founded in 1799, Westtown School’s roots reach back to 1647, when George Fox founded the religious sect known as the Society of Friends, more commonly known today as Quakers. Few in number, the Quakers have influenced the world well out of proportion to their membership.

Westtown's original building, photographed in 1865

Friends believe in seeking that of God in every person. From that essential kernel of faith come the historic positions of Quakers on a wide spectrum of issues ranging from civil rights to pacifism. But Quakers do not cling to a narrow creed, instead believing that every community must continually re-examine past patterns based upon new understandings. This openness to new insights contributes to the vitality of the intellectual dialogue on a Friends school campus. At its founding, Westtown pushed the parameters of educational philosophy, and continues to this day to seek to lead in the practice of education

The Westtown story is rich with the history of both Quakers and education. Westtown maintains an extensive archive of materials relating to the school, those associated with it, Quakers, and Quaker education.