Mercersburg Academy is thrilled to announce a renovation nearly 60 years in the making. The new dining center at Ford Hall is scheduled to open in early 2026 and will include updates to the kitchen, servery, dining room, lounges, and lobby, as well as new outdoor spaces.

Ford Hall opened its doors in 1965 with a new and expanded dining area that replaced the school's former dining space in the Edwards Room of Keil Hall. The new building allowed the kitchen staff to offer more dining options to the school community while increasing seating capacity and providing more campus event space.

Over its decades-long history, Ford Hall has hosted family-style meals, semiformal dinners, dances, proms, employee holiday parties, alumni events, and more. But in those nearly six decades, students' tastes have evolved to reflect a desire for more nutritious foods, international cuisine, and selections that accommodate dietary needs and preferences. Culinary technology has also improved, and the way kitchens operate has changed. While the current kitchen and dining hall have served the school well, they are no longer adequate to fulfill their purpose and function: to serve as the heart and home of Mercersburg Academy.

One tradition that will not change with the renovation is family-style meals. "The most important driver of the student dining experience is–and has always been–the family-style table," said Head of School Quentin McDowell P '25, '27. "The new concept for the kitchen and dining room preserves this facet of Mercersburg life that helps build community and fosters meaningful connections."

Mercersburg's beautiful setting is part of its appeal, and the school intends to keep the windows at each end of the dining room that provide ample natural light and expansive views of campus. The renovation will, overall, provide a more aesthetically pleasing atmosphere for the school community to enjoy mealtime.

What can Mercersburg students, faculty, and staff anticipate? While the seating capacity will remain the same, the dining area will receive a modern renovation to include a new floor and ceiling, new lighting, and new tables and chairs. One noticeable addition will be a pizza oven in the center of the room. All of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will be reviewed and upgraded or replaced as well.

The outside facade of Ford Hall will remain largely unchanged, but two covered porches will be added in front of the building to be used for special events, backpack storage during lunch, and shady spots to chat.

Renovations are scheduled to begin after Commencement 2025 and be completed in early 2026. During this time, half of the Hale Field House will be turned into a temporary dining room. A team on campus is working on the logistics to ensure the food quality and experience are not diminished. We intend to make things as easy, consistent, and enjoyable as we can.

Construction projects of this scale can take more time than expected, so the school will continue to provide updates about the dining center in our alumni and parent newsletters, as well as on our social media accounts.

"This renovation will revitalize an essential space for a new generation to continue the school's time-honored traditions and to establish new ones," said McDowell. "I hope the community follows along with the progress as we pay homage to a space that has been the heartbeat of our campus over the last 60 years."

If you would like to support the new dining center, please contact Chief Advancement Officer John Richardson at richardsonj@mercersburg.edu or 717-328-6109.