The Wydown Fortnightly was founded by Dorothy Merrell O’Neil in the early 1950’s (1952-53) as a manners and dance instruction program for students 6^th through 8^th grade.

Mrs. O’Neil wanted an opportunity for her own children and their peers, as well as many others throughout the community, to learn key social etiquette and formal dancing skills prior to the dating and dance experiences they would have in high school.  She intentionally created the program to bring young people together from different schools (private, public, and parochial) to further enhance their social experience. 

Dorothy Merrell O’Neil was a fourth generation member of The Congregational Church which is located on Wydown Boulevard.  The Wydown Fortnightly has been held in the church building all but two of its years in existence and has retained the original name taken from the street address of the church.  Even though the program was developed as and continues to be a nonsectarian program designed to serve children from all faiths, the by-laws give priority admission to church members. 

Dorothy Merrell O’Neil’s vision of The Wydown Fortnightly has provided unique learning opportunities to generations of young people for more than 50 years.