DERBY - The Derby Neck
Library staff invites all former Hawthorne School students and history
enthusiasts to an unveiling at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday of a local history display featuring
the original Hawthorne School sign.
 |
| Derby Neck Library |
Donated by Derby resident
Rodney Erickson, the sign has been mounted over the library’s old
entrance accompanied by school, library, and neighborhood memorabilia.
The new local history display is housed in the reading room,
the library’s oldest section.
The library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.
Light refreshments
will be served.
Erickson’s family
salvaged the sign when the school was demolished in 1972. It was then
placed in the family’s garage where it remained for nearly 40 years.
Erickson contacted Ian Parsells, the
head librarian, about donating the sign and some
old photographs to the library. After finding a suitable location for
display, the sign and photos were gratefully accepted.
The sign itself
was not restored, only gently cleaned and retains
its original colors. It has been mounted to a cherry-stained walnut
panel that has been affixed to the wall. To each side of the sign stand
two glass cases filled with photos, news clippings, and memorabilia from
the library, the school, and the Derby Neck
area.
The Hawthorne School was
erected in 1882 to serve the Derby Neck section of town. While initially
intended to serve all elementary grades, in its last years it only
enrolled the first and second grades.
In 1897, the
Derby Neck Library was established and housed on the school’s second
floor forever entwining the two institutions. The school’s final year of
operation was in the 1963-1964 academic year. Although not in use for
several years, it was not demolished until 1972.
For more information contact Ian Parsells, head librarian, at headlibrarian@biblio.org
or call 203-734-1492.
This is taken from a press release from Derby Neck Library.
No comments:
Post a Comment