Our History

List of 66 items.

• APRIL 1892

  William Nichols invited from Boston to found boys’ college preparatory school in Buffalo, NY.
• 

  SEPTEMBER 26 1892

  Opening of Nichols School in the Westminster Church Sunday School rooms. Later in autumn school moves to new house at 35 Norwood Avenue.

• 1896-1900

  Coordinate programs with the Franklin School.

• 1907

  William Nichols dies. School suffers enrollment difficulties.

• 1908

  John J. Albright spearheads group to rescue school.

• 1909

  Amherst campus purchased for $87,500. Construction begins on Albright Hall and the old gymnasium (now the new Middle School building). E.B. Green, architect. Joseph Dana Allen is appointed second Headmaster. He establishes country-day philosophy, fostering academic, athletic, and moral growth of students.
• 

  JANUARY 11 1910

  First day of classes on the Amherst campus.

• 1910

  Verdian first published.

• 1917

  Walter D. Head appointed third Headmaster. Placed School on solid financial footing.

• 1918

  Cum Laude Society awards Nichols its thirteenth chapter.

• 1919

  Nichols News established. The first indoor hockey rink is built for $40,000 of private donations.

• 1919-1923

  Dormitory at 290 Woodward Ave houses 6 boys.
• 

  1920

  First Christmas luncheon under newly formed Alumni Association.

• 1922

  Growing enrollment leads to decision to construct new building. School's first public capital campaign, led by Trustee George A. Mitchell, raises $134,000.

• APRIL 1925

  Mitchell Hall, housing the Rand Dining Room and the McNutt Library, is opened after three days of celebration.

• 1925

  Thurston J. Davies appointed the fourth Headmaster. Enriches life of steadily growing student body: charities, government, athletics, and drama. Interstate League begins play.

• 1926

  The Gleaner publishes its first issue. Potter Field acquired.

• 1929

  Mitchell Gratwick '17 appointed the fifth Headmaster. He continues earlier initiatives during his short tenure. Chapel is built in Albright Hall.

• 1930

  Edmund P. Cottle room and prize established.
• 

  1931

  Henry Gibbs Gilland appointed the sixth Headmaster. Oversees difficult period of the Depression, with falling enrollment, financial problems, and internal strains.

• 1932

  Depression forces a 15% pay cut for faculty, with further reductions the following year.

• 1937

  Philip M.B. Boocock '22 named the seventh Headmaster. Ushers in a period of academic strength, rising enrollments, financial stability, improved facilities, a growing national reputation, and institutional self-confidence.

• 1938

  Rink is renovated and ice surface lengthened.
• 

  APRIL 24 1942

  Official celebration of the School's fiftieth year.

• 1947

  Fund drive to lower the mortgage raises almost $100,000.

• 1957

  New gym opens.

• 1959

  Major faculty study of Nichols and curriculum is undertaken.

• 1963

  Moot Science building is completed at a cost of $250,000.

• 1964

  Dann Memorial Rink opens. Knox Squash Courts are inaugurated. First minority students admitted.

• 1969

  Christopher Wadsworth appointed eighth Headmaster following retirement of Philip Boocock.
• 

  1970

  Faculty Program Development Committee (PDC) issues its report on the School and curriculum. Coordinate programs with Buffalo Seminary and Nottingham Academy.

• 1971

  Work program established. Parents' Council begins as the Mothers' Committee.

• JANUARY 22 1972

  Acquisition of Nottingham Academy is approved by Trustees.
• 

  1973

  Nichols becomes coeducational. "New Directions for Nichols" capital campaign is launched, and by 1976, a total of $2.34 million is achieved. Renovations completed on the Amherst and Nottingham campuses.

• 1974

  The Class of 1974 is Nichols' first co-ed graduating class. Ann Keiffer is hired to create the drama department. The first Nichols Nearly New Sale takes place.

• 1979

  Arthur H. Kiendl appointed ninth Headmaster.

• 1981

  Peter W. Cobb appointed tenth Headmaster.

• 1982

  Foreign exchange programs with France and Spain begin.

• 1984

  "Price of Excellence" capital campaign is launched. Over $3 million is raised, including the E. Howard Roth $1 million gift. Randwood science classrooms are completed. Eighth grade is moved to the Nottingham campus.
• 

  1987

  Student choreography added into the curriculum.

• 1989

  Fifth grade classrooms completed on second floor of Randwood wing.

• 1992

  Nichols Centennial is celebrated throughout the school year. Athletic Hall of Fame established. Dr. John Sessions '62 authors Nichols School: A Century of Tradition and Change, 1892-1991.

• 1993

  "Campaign for Excellence" begins with a goal of $6.5 million. Plans for new Performing Arts center are unveiled. Faculty Academic Subcommittee begins year-long study.

• 1994

  Richard C. Bryan appointed eleventh Headmaster. Campus renovations undertaken.

• 1995

  Foreign exchange program in Costa Rica began. Groundbreaking on Glen and Awdry Flickinger Performing Arts Center.

• 1996

  "Campaign for Excellence" finishes at $8.1 million.

• 1997

  Glen and Awdry Flickinger Performing Arts Center is dedicated in February. Austin Fox endowed faculty chair is established and awarded to Dick Stratton. Technology plan initiated. Campus study on consolidation is undertaken by the Board.
• 

  1998

  Second Induction ceremony for Nichols Athletic Hall of Fame. Annual Giving passes $500,000. Board of Trustees vote in June to consolidate the two campuses, relocating the Middle School to the Amherst campus.

• 1999

  Began "One Community" campaign.

• 2000

  Groundbreaking for One Community project: to consolidate the campuses and build new Middle School on the Amherst Campus, to increase the endowment, and to provide funds for enhanced technology.

• 2001

  Middle School and Scully Athletic Complex open. Technology Network completed. Third Induction Ceremony for Nichols Athletic Hall of Fame. Regan Hall is dedicated.

• 2002

  Donaldson Hall is dedicated. "One Community" campaign reaches $14 million. Albert Sutter endowed faculty chair is established and awarded to Steve Moscov.

• 2003

  United Church Home property is acquired, which adds 6.4 acres of adjacent land. Fourth Induction Ceremony for Athletic Hall of Fame.

• 2004

  Core Competencies for the 21st century are adopted by the faculty after the August Colloquium.

• 2005

  Fifth Induction Ceremony for Nichols Athletic Hall of Fame.

• 2007

  New athletic turf fields are completed. Sixth Induction Ceremony for Nichols Athletic Hall of Fame.

• 2008

  Roadways and parking renovations are completed. "Nicholsfuture.org" campaign publicly launched. Strauss-Truscott Field is dedicated. Ground breaking for the new math/science/technology center takes place. The Graham Smith endowed faculty chair for English is established and awarded to Larry Desautels.
• 

  2010

  Class of 1963 Center for Science and Mathematics opens. Exchange with Wuhan, China begins. "Nicholsfuture.org" campaign finishes over goal at $24.3 million. Seventh induction ceremony for Athletic Hall of Fame.

• 2011

  Renovation of Albright and Mitchell Halls completed, creating Upper School fine arts studios and new student spaces. Endowment passes $25 million.

• 2012

  Moot Hall is demolished.

• 2013

  William P. Clough appointed twelfth Head of School.

• 2014

  Eighth Induction Ceremony for Athletic Hall of Fame. Robotics team added to curriculum.
• 

  2015

  The Nichols Fund surpasses the $1,000,000 goal for the first time.

• 2018

  Ninth Induction Ceremony for Athletics Hall of Fame
• 

  2019

  Christopher Burner appointed thirteenth Head of School.
  
  New Student Commons facility opens.
• 

  2020

  Student Commons building is dedicated to the Class of 2020, for their perseverance and leadership during extraordinary times.