Courage Garden

 

A Space for Reflection and Healing

Courage Garden is a landmark designed to provide comfort, beauty, and peace for those impacted by sexual abuse during their time at Hotchkiss and beyond. Located between Main Building and Lake Wononscopomuc, near the sixth fairway of the golf course, Courage Garden is adorned with native plants, flowers, walking paths, and benches. It serves not only as a memorial but also as a catalyst for dialogue, self-reflection, and restoration within the community. It is open to all Hotchkiss community members.

In November 2020, a group of dedicated alumni discussed the creation of an enduring space on campus for healing, contemplation, and reflection on historical sexual misconduct at Hotchkiss. Two years later, on Oct. 1, 2022, their idea became a reality with the dedication of Courage Garden. 

Individuals who were instrumental to the successful creation of the garden include:  

• Martha Bryan ’77 
• Carolyn Eaton ’77 
• Andy Luke ’77 
• Anne Owen Armfield ’77 
• Margaret Simpson ’77 
• Fred Wacker ’77 

The work of these alumni was supported by Amy Wheeler, executive director of Learning Courage, a nonprofit that works with independent schools to reduce incidents, improve responses, and support healing from sexual misconduct and abuse. Hotchkiss is engaged in an ongoing partnership with Learning Courage as part of strengthening the School’s prevention of and response to sexual misconduct on campus.

Dedication Ceremony

A powerful dedication ceremony was held in the garden on Oct. 1, 2022. Alumni instrumental in the creation of the garden, survivors, allies, trustees, students, faculty members and staff were in attendance. 

During the ceremony, facilitator Amy Wheeler said, “To members of the Hotchkiss community past and present, this is your day. For too long, the voices of those who were abused at Hotchkiss were silenced. The dedication of Courage Garden is part of breaking that silence, acknowledging the pain, and beginning the healing process.”

During a speech at the beginning of the event, Head of School Craig Bradley said that attending the dedication was an act of bravery for survivors and their loved ones. “As the head of School, my role today, first and foremost, is to apologize,” he said. “I extend this apology to all of you who are survivors. I also extend it to your parents, your families, and those who love you. Like ripples outward from a heavy stone cast, an expanding circle of people have been hurt by the pain that was inflicted on you.”

Bradley went on to say that the School continues to refine and enhance its protocols, procedures, and training requirements to ensure that students today and in the future will be cared for and safe. 

“Courage Garden signifies our commitment to creating and sustaining an environment in which all young people are safe to learn and grow well, a place where young people can thrive,” he said. “A garden cannot change the past. Yet Courage Garden can, in a very genuine way, contribute to changing the future. I hope that the growth and opportunity for healing symbolized by Courage Garden can indeed take root, and that this growth will continue to be nurtured by your voices.”

 

Design and Construction

Design and construction of Courage Garden were made possible by the generous gifts of alumni in addition to support from the School. 

The garden was designed by Mariani Landscape of Lake Bluff, IL, and constructed by Kent Greenhouse & Gardens of Kent, CT, with oversight and significant contributions by the Hotchkiss Facilities team. 

Project designer Jenna Pfau of Mariani Landscape described the design process behind Courage Garden as multi-faceted: “The overall concept was to create a naturalistic garden that took a visitor through a journey of healing with many twists and turns, ups and downs, steps and walls, barriers and entrances. We wanted each ‘nook’ of the garden to feel like a different experience and each turn to hold something unexpected and meaningful. Our goal was to create a powerful space for alumni and survivors, but also a refuge for students to enjoy.”

A Look Back

Over the past several years, the School has communicated on a number of occasions about historical incidents of sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior by faculty, staff, or other adult members of the Hotchkiss community. Communications have included the publication in 2018 of an independent investigative report prepared by the law firm Locke Lord as well as a supplement to that report communicated in 2020. These reports, which are available on the Hotchkiss website, detail instances of abuse that primarily took place during the 1970s and 1980s. Since the publication of these reports, the School has taken a number of significant steps to ensure the safety of members of this community.

Ongoing Support for Courage Garden

There is an ongoing need to support Courage Garden care and maintenance. If you are interested in making a contribution to support this important and enduring enhancement to the School, you may contact Ninette Enrique, chief advancement officer.