History

Our History

 

September 1863

Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School was founded by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Cruickshank Talbot, D.D., then the Episcopal Bishop of the Northwest. Bishop Talbot's decision was inspired by his desire to bring cultural and educational opportunities to the daughters of the pioneers, while sparing them the long journey to eastern boarding schools.

As a girls’ boarding school, Brownell Talbot was originally named Brownell Hall. Bishop Talbot named the school for the Presiding Bishop of Connecticut, Thomas Church Brownell, whose parish provided a large portion of the funds needed to purchase the school’s first home, at what is now 24th Street and Grand Avenue.

1868

Brownell Hall held the first commencement exercise in the State of Nebraska when it conferred diplomas upon Nebraska’s first high school graduates.

1922

The school relocated to its present site in the heart of the city, right next to Memorial Park in the Happy Hollow and Dundee neighborhood.

1952

The decision was made for Brownell Hall to become coeducational, and boys were enrolled in the Talbot School for Boys, named for the founder of Brownell Hall, Bishop Talbot. The school was called Brownell Hall-Talbot School for Boys until 1963, then renamed Brownell Talbot School.

1969

Brownell Talbot became independent of the Episcopal Church.

Today, Brownell Talbot is Nebraska's only independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school serving students from preschool through grade 12.

Rt. Rev. Joseph Cruickshank Talbot, D.D.