FROM WALLDORF to WALDORF: The Story Behind the Name
Often I am asked how the name 'Waldorf' came about? I thought this tale would make for a good Christmas Story with the second part coming in the New Year.
The name 'Waldorf' has a history dating back more than two centuries. Today it is known world-wide, and Waldorf Schools have played a major role in establishing this fame. Mountain Oak School is part of this legacy. What story lies behind the term 'Waldorf'?
The year 1763 saw the end of the Seven Years' War, a European conflict which had consequences for North America. On 17th July of that year, Johann Jakob Astor was born in Walldorf near Heidelberg, the son of a butcher. When he was only fifteen, he decided to leave Germany and follow his elder brother to London to learn the craft of making musical instruments. He did not remain in London for long, though. At the age of twenty, with ten woodwind instruments in his luggage, he emigrated to America and it was there he came of age. Later, he was to make an almost fairytale career for himself in the New World, but for the time being, in view of his training, his intention was to open a music shop-the first of its kind-in New York. In order to earn the money to do so, the young man worked hard as a road sweeper and street trader. Understandably enough, however, emigrants arriving in America had more important things on their minds than purchasing musical instruments-and so the success he longed for did not come about.
Johann Jakob then turned to dealing in pelts and soon dominated the markets from the Great Lakes to the Pacific coast and as far as Hawaii, China and Japan. He secured his monopoly by acquiring trading licenses for all ports of the East India Company. As a result of successful land speculation, he accumulated the largest private fortune of his time. Johann jakob Astor's entrepreneurial spirit did not restrict itself to the world of finance: he also founded a library, which was named after him but which is now called the Public Library. Using money from a legacy of his, the Astor Foundation was set up in his home town, Walldorf, to provide help and support for the young and the elderly. It is still active there to this day, keeping alive the connection between the man and his native country. In the local telephone directory for Walldorf, you can still find around twenty entries under 'Astor'.
Part 2 of 'The Story Behind the Name' in the New Year.
FROM WALLDORF to WALDORF: The Story Behind the Name
Often I am asked how the name 'Waldorf' came about? I thought this tale would make for a good Christmas Story with the second part coming in the New Year.
The name 'Waldorf' has a history dating back more than two centuries. Today it is known world-wide, and Waldorf Schools have played a major role in establishing this fame. Mountain Oak School is part of this legacy. What story lies behind the term 'Waldorf'?
The year 1763 saw the end of the Seven Years' War, a European conflict which had consequences for North America. On 17th July of that year, Johann Jakob Astor was born in Walldorf near Heidelberg, the son of a butcher. When he was only fifteen, he decided to leave Germany and follow his elder brother to London to learn the craft of making musical instruments. He did not remain in London for long, though. At the age of twenty, with ten woodwind instruments in his luggage, he emigrated to America and it was there he came of age. Later, he was to make an almost fairytale career for himself in the New World, but for the time being, in view of his training, his intention was to open a music shop-the first of its kind-in New York. In order to earn the money to do so, the young man worked hard as a road sweeper and street trader. Understandably enough, however, emigrants arriving in America had more important things on their minds than purchasing musical instruments-and so the success he longed for did not come about.
Johann Jakob then turned to dealing in pelts and soon dominated the markets from the Great Lakes to the Pacific coast and as far as Hawaii, China and Japan. He secured his monopoly by acquiring trading licenses for all ports of the East India Company. As a result of successful land speculation, he accumulated the largest private fortune of his time. Johann jakob Astor's entrepreneurial spirit did not restrict itself to the world of finance: he also founded a library, which was named after him but which is now called the Public Library. Using money from a legacy of his, the Astor Foundation was set up in his home town, Walldorf, to provide help and support for the young and the elderly. It is still active there to this day, keeping alive the connection between the man and his native country. In the local telephone directory for Walldorf, you can still find around twenty entries under 'Astor'.
Part 2 of 'The Story Behind the Name' in the New Year.
- Merrill Badger, Principal
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Happenings:
This Friday, December 23rd is a half-day early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. There will be no tea garden in the morning.
Saturday, December 24th through Sunday, January 8th is our two weeks winter vacation. Everyone have an enjoyable holiday
TAX CREDIT HELP!
Please take part in this worthy program to help
your school financially this year!
Online Credit Form (277Kb PDF)
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