Refugees & Rowntrees

The Rowntree Society’s Refugees & Rowntrees Event, proudly hosted by The Mount School

As part of Refugee Week, we explored how the Rowntree family (including Mount School Old Scholars), company, and Trusts supported refugees across the twentieth century.

Attendees discovered the stories of Belgian refugees during the First World War, former Mount pupils Jean and Tessa Rowntree’s humanitarian work in Prague ahead of the Nazi invasion and the resettlement of Ugandan Asian refugees in York during the 1970s.

The event brought together historical archives, community stories, and local heritage, exploring how members of the Rowntree family, the Rowntree company, Joseph Rowntree Trusts, and The Mount School were involved in supporting refugees during times of conflict and displacement across the twentieth century.

This event also highlighted The Rowntree Society’s work with refugee groups and communities in York, bringing past and present experiences together. There will be an exhibition and a talk featuring several speakers.

The Mount School has a strong Quaker history dating back to 1785 with one of its School Houses called Rowntrees, to pay respects to this leading Quaker family with such important connections to the establishment and history of the school. The leading independent school is coeducational in Prep, and proudly all girls for Senior School and Sixth Form, which reflects the original intention of the school as aQuaker college to educate women.

More content from this event will be coming soon!