St. Mary’s Dedicates Liza’s Library with Joyful Student-Led Ceremony

On Thursday, September 4, St. Mary’s Lower School gathered for the ribbon-cutting and dedication of Moss Hall and Liza’s Library. The morning began with a student-led ribbon-cutting and a joyful rendition of “This Little Light of Mine,” a touching tribute to beloved former teacher Eliza “Liza” Fletcher. 

The event marked the opening of a 9,000-square-foot expansion of Moss Hall, a transformative project made possible through the generosity of donors to the school’s $10 million Light, Life, & Legacy capital campaign. In addition to Liza’s Library, the expansion features a new science classroom and an expanded MakerSpace to support STEM learning, a nursery for faculty children, upgraded faculty workspaces and enhanced security, an art gallery to showcase student creativity, and thoughtfully designed outdoor learning and community spaces.

“Moss Hall is a shining example of what is possible when vision meets generosity,”  said Head of School Albert Throckmorton. “Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, we have created inspiring spaces that will nurture curiosity, creativity, and community for generations of St. Mary’s girls. This expansion is more than a building; it’s a fitting home for an education that empowers girls to discover their potential and shape the world around them.”

Watch a video recording of the ribbon cutting and dedication.

Honoring Liza’s Legacy

Located in the heart of the recently expanded Moss Hall, the library welcomes students with a whimsical tree, cozy reading nooks, and big, bright windows, all design details inspired by Fletcher’s classroom.

“Liza’s bright light will shine through this library in so many ways,” said Catherine Denman ’06, Director of Library Studies. “The tree is reminiscent of the one she decorated her classroom with each year, and the cozy spaces reflect the care she showed her students. This library will carry on her legacy of sharing stories and nurturing a love of reading.”

A Community Celebration

The dedication also featured a special gift from Fletcher’s friends and classmates at Hutchison School. With a donation of more than $12,000, the Hutchison Class of 2006 created Liza’s Book Club, a collection that will live permanently in the library. The first books were presented to St. Mary’s during the ceremony by Wendy Crenshaw Bolding, Mary Marshall Maxwell, and Conlee Adams Stringfellow.

“We can't tell you how perfect the library represents her,” said Stringfellow. “It’s super special to honor the friendship of Hutchison and St. Mary's and be a part of this amazing space in her name.”

Inspiring Discovery in Science and STEAM

Moss Hall now features a new science classroom and Makerspace designed to spark curiosity and empower girls to apply science to real-world challenges. The North Campus Makerspace provides a hands-on learning environment where students can explore, experiment, design, and build, surrounded by tools, materials, and technology that bring their ideas to life.

“The Makerspace is a safe space to be curious,” said Carrie Ruhland, SK–2nd Grade Science Teacher and STEAM Coordinator. “We don’t care if the girls make a mess or if something breaks. We want to free them up to have those big ideas. Our students are not afraid to take chances as they get older because they’ve always been encouraged to take chances.”

The Nest: A New Nursery Program

St. Mary’s opened The Nest this fall, the school’s first nursery program in Moss Hall. Designed to benefit faculty and staff, The Nest provides a caring and nurturing environment for girls and boys from six weeks to two years old. St. Mary’s created this program to support its dedicated educators and staff members, recognizing how difficult it can be to find high-quality infant care. Children may remain in The Nest until they are ready to transition into a two-year-old program at St. Mary’s or another school, ensuring a seamless start to their early learning journey.

“Having the Nest in Moss Hall, our oldest and most treasured building, allows us to continue building on the legacy of St. Mary’s in a meaningful way,” Bri Morrow, Director of the Nest, said. “It’s a privilege to nurture our youngest Turkeys in such a special space while also supporting our faculty, staff, and broader St. Mary’s community with quality care for their little ones.”

For more photos of the event, visit our SmugMug Album.