The River and The Rock

“Pocumtuck” is the name of the valley where Deerfield is located, the name of the Native Americans who once lived here, the name of a dormitory on campus, and the name of the Academy’s annual yearbook. It’s also the name of the ridge from which students get a birdseye view of the school: the Rock, for short. A walk to the Rock is a rite of passage for Deerfield students, faculty, and alumni—it is often one of the first things students do when arriving on campus, and one of the last acts of graduates before they leave.

Just as the Rock borders campus on the east, the Deerfield River defines the western edge of campus. It flows from the eastern Green Mountains of Vermont and, after winding its way along the Academy’s Lower Level,  flows north to join the Connecticut River. The River represents a gathering place, a source of inspiration, and a rite of spring. Swimming, tubing, and spending time by the river are memorable parts of a Deerfield student’s days.

In March and April of each year, the river overflows its banks and floods Deerfield’s athletic fields. This flooding, a symbol of spring, is a seasonal reminder of the close ties to the landscape that the Deerfield community inhabits.