Senior Night in the Well: A Cherished Chatham Hall Tradition

Traditions have a unique way of weaving history, community, and celebration into the fabric of a school, and Chatham Hall’s Senior Night in the Well is a perfect example. Two long-standing traditions at Chatham Hall culminated into this acclaimed evening affectionately deemed Senior Night in the Well. Dr. William Black placed an archive display in Lee Library early this season to commemorate the beloved event.

Tradition One: The Choir’s Caroling
In 1930, students gathered together in the long arcade to hear the choir sing carols from below. The campus resounded with enchanting music filled with holiday cheer. By 1936, this performance evolved into the choir inviting the entire school into a communal chorus singing carols in the Well. 

Tradition Two: The Service League Christmas Party
In 1932, the Service League instituted a Christmas party for the children of Chatham Hall employees. Willis Hall was filled with joy and laughter as the entire community came together in celebration. At the center of the party was a magnificent Christmas tree stretching high to the ceiling, embodying the joy and generosity of the season. 

Senior Night in the Well
By the mid-1950s, the towering tree was moved to the Well, and the traditions of caroling and celebration were combined. The blend of these two events brought about the creative spirit of the seniors, crafting a secret program alongside the already cherished traditions. The girls would add their own creative flare to the evening, bringing surprise and anticipation to the evening. This was the birth of Senior Night in the Well - an evening before the close of the calendar year filled with laughter, song, and awe - bringing the entire community together beneath a towering Christmas tree adorned with lights.

This tradition lives on as a part of the week before exams and the close of school for Winter Break. This year, on December 7, Senior Night in the Well took us on a fantastical journey with Buddy the Elf as she traveled to Chatham Hall in Chatham, Virginia. She ventured to Chatham favorites like Callands and El Caz, making her way to Chatham Hall, where she encountered notable characters such as Dean Doyon, Ms. G, and Mr. Waters. With her signature sparkle and cheer, Buddy brought the holiday spirit to life, declaring, "I'm at Chatham Hall, and I'm singing!" A heartfelt thank you to the Class of 2025 for bringing so much joy to this cherished and long-standing tradition.