Opening BB&N Minds

October 10, 2008 School sends letter to alumni, students and parents describing turning point in attitude about Washburn's activities, including acknowledging the extent of the abuse, apologizing for not investigating sooner and providing services to people affected by Washburn. 

June 5, 2008 Jeff Rudman declines invitation to meet.

May 24, 2008 Weinreb contacts Jeff Rudman, board member during the "Washburn era."

May 5, 2008 CEO of Washburn's employer responds with letter stating that Washburn is not in contact with young boys.

April 29, 2008 Weinreb sends letter to Washburn's manager to inquire whether Washburn has contact with young boys.

Fall 2007  In a conversation between Weinreb and Fran Ackerly, former head of BB&N Middle School, Ackerly states that she feels that Washburn had started abusing children soon after he started teaching in 1967. 

1990 After completing his 2000 hours of community service, Washburn is employed by the Boston office of a national non-profit serving the blind and dyslexic.

July 1990    School settles $70,000 civil case.

January 14, 1988    Gunness sends second letter to BB&N community 

December 1987    Washburn changes plea to guilty and receives suspended sentence.

October 1987    Washburn indicted and pleads not guilty.

30 September 1987    Gunness sends letter to 900 BB&N students and their families.

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Fall 1987    Simmons College, unaware of Washburn's indictment, hires Washburn as a part-time instructor.

Spring 1987    A victim's mother tells Peter Gunness, former BB&N Headmaster, that Washburn had sexually abused three boys and propositioned another.  The District Attorney's office investigates.

1970s    Washburn takes students on many overnight trips including stays at his private house on Squam Lake in New Hampshire.  Fran Ackerly, former Head of BB&N Middle School, learns that Washburn has been providing pornography to students on trips to New Hampshire.

1965    Ted Washburn receives his master's degree from Harvard, and begins work at Browne & Nichols.

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"As I have tried to make sense of what unfolded, I’m struck not only by the failure to ask more questions after these inappropriate activities first came to light but also by the atmosphere of silence and privacy at the School during the Washburn era."

Rebecca Upham, Head of School
October 10, 2008