The dedication of the Muriel Read Leeds and Ellen Leeds Sturges ’53 Art and Horticulture reference section in The Unquowa School library took place on November 25, 2013.

When her daughter Ellen was an Unquowa student, Muriel Read Leeds volunteered regularly as a gardening and art educator at the school. She shared her expertise with the children and encouraged them to explore the natural world. Her passion was contagious and many of the young Unquowans, including Ellen, became lifelong lovers of art and the outdoors.

Both mother and daughter were avid readers and collected books on a wide variety of related topics. Many of those beloved books now reside in the reference section of The Unquowa School’s library where they are under the watchful eye of both Muriel and Ellen whose photo is framed with the following dedication:

Art and Horticulture Reference Library
Dedicated in 2013
Muriel Read Leeds and Ellen Leeds Sturges ’53
Mother and Daughter were devoted to gardening and art education
at Unquowa and throughout their lives

We are especially grateful to David Sturges, Ellen’s long-time partner and life-long friend, for his thoughtful generosity in donating these treasures to Unquowa for students to enjoy for years to come. Joining Head of School, Sharon Lauer, for the dedication and to thank David Sturges were Vice President of the Board – Joan Panagos, Librarian – Tracy Hintz, Environmental Educator – Mary Curran, and Lower School Art Teacher – Alice DeGrange. After the dedication he visited with Sharon Lauer and Kate Haviland to share some of Ellen’s Unquowa memorabilia – including field day ribbons, term papers, photos and old “Unquowan” newsletters.