2013 Interview: Dr. W.E. Ward's great-granddaughter, Jean Ward Oldfield

Last week our Public History class participated in an Oral History project with Jean Ward Oldfield. The students prepared and asked her about her family and her time in school at Ward-Belmont. Here is some information about Mrs. Oldfield's family and connection to our school's history.

Ward's Seminary was founded by William E. Ward and Eliza Hudson Ward in 1865. The school merger with Belmont College for Young Women in 1913 to become Ward-Belmont. Harpeth Hall opened after the closing of W-B in 1951 when the college preparatory division failed to reopen as part of the new (co-ed) Belmont College. Jean Ward Oldfield was the daughter of William Ward III (the son of William and Eliza Ward). Although she never met her great-grandfather or great-grandmother she maintains a wealth of knowledge about the family, Nashville, and the founding of the school. Mrs. Oldfield also attended Ward-Belmont from 1943-1947. Upon graduation from W-B she attended Vanderbilt University where she received a B.S. After the interview, Mrs. Oldfield told us, "I enjoyed being with you and the girls and I hope the girls came away realizing how the lives of women have changed in really a pretty short time. The world is open to them. Also, maybe they will realize the importance of writing things down. How many times I have wished I could ask a question of someone who was no longer in this world. Have a good rest of the year and thanks for giving me the opportunity of talking about my family. Blessings!" Thank you to Maddie Shankle who did all of the video camera work and Ruth Huggins who took the following pictures.