Memories of Washington School

History - Newark

Memories of Washington School

The following articles by Theresa Colacino ran in the Courier-Gazette in July 1990, as part of the We Remember... series, started by Helen Tayor Armitage Walker.

Old Washington School Bell Rings Again
By Theresa Colacino, Class of 1928

old Washington School The Seth Thomas Tower Clock and beautiful bronze bell, given to the Newark school district by Miss Lois Sherman as a memorial to Miss Lois Allerton, was installed in the newly constructed bell tower of the Newark High School the first week of March 1928.

Fifty years and four months later, David Culver, president of the Class of 1928, at its 50th class reunion, presented a motion to help sponsor the restoration of the bell and its installation in the small park next to the present High School athletic field. The class voted unanimously to sponsor the bell project.

The members of the Class of 1928 remembers with great respect E.R. Woelfel who was the popular principal of the school at that time. The reunion committee requested and received approval from the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Schmidley, to dedicate the bell "In Memory of E.R. Woelfel." The year "28" appears on the bell, in the restoration and placement of the old school bell at the new location. The dedication services were held in the fall of 1982 before the start of the football game.

During the 12 years from the time the bell was hung in the bell tower until the school closed in 1940, thousands of Newark residents were called to class by the school bell and, daily, hundreds of Newark residents turned to the tower clock for the time of day. The old school bell was no longer used once the new bell was installed in the clock tower.

In 1948, 20 years after the Washington School property had remained idle for eight years, the school property was sold to the Village to be used as a parking lot. The clock and bell belonged "without strings" to the school system. In making the sale to the Village, the entire property of lot, building, clock and bell became the property of the Village. The bell was offered to several churches and schools but they all had no use for it. The clock wasn't an electrical clock and to turn it into an electric clock would be too expensive.

As the Village had no place to put them, in respect to the memorial for which it was intended, Mayor Milton Elzufon had them stored in the car barns.

In 1978, the village decided that the bell was taking up too much storage space and called on Mr. John Slagle, curator of the clocks at the Newark Public Library, if he knew of anyone who would have any use for the bell. When Mr. Slagle saw the bell, he thought it should be saved for Newark and he decided to pioneer the effort to establish it in a prominent position as a part of the memorabilia of Newark. He contacted Rodman Robinson, Class of 1928, who was a very active member of the Newark Booster Club, to help him find a place for the bell. When Robbo saw the "28" on the bell, he told John that the bell was the property of the school system and that it should be placed on the school grounds.

The bell was installed in the small park next to the present Senior High School athletic field located on Peirson Avenue. The dedication services were held in the fall of 1982 before the start of the football game.

The clock, according to reliable sources, was smashed when village employees kept piling heavy equipment on top and, as a result, the clock was beyond repair and therefore was taken to the dump.

Fifty-five years after the installation of the bell, it was sounded three times after the members of the class of 1983 received their diplomas. The ringing of the bell, which was unexpected, left such an impression on the people attending that it was decided to make it an annual event.

The graduation exercises have been held on the athletic field (weather permitting) to accommodate more people since the classes are now over 200. The auditorium cannot accommodate all who wish to attend.

In 1990, the committee members of the Class of 1928 decided that the engraving on the plaque placed on the bell in 1978, was worn and could not be read. The committee members decided that a new plaque should replace the old one. Bruce Clark was in charge of purchasing a more expensive plaque from the Newark Granite Works and seeing that the plaque was placed near the bell in memory of E.R. Woelfel before the beginning of the Class of 1940 festivities. Members of the Class of 1928 donated money to help defray the expense of this project.

(HTAW addendum): After many years at a typewriter at a desk in the Newark Courier-Gazette office, Theresa Colacino remains prolific in her pursuit of "copy" at her new computer in her East Miller Street home. She shares her St. Michael's Church History, the family genealogies and the Class of 1928 reunion booklets she has produced.

A current project is a collection of the "We Remember" weekly C-G articles into booklet form for each of her 1928 classmates.

Theresa's committee has ordered a new weather-worthy plaque for the Washington School Clock Bell. The inscription: The WASHINGTON SCHOOL CLOCK BELL, INSTALLED BY CLASS OF 1928, IN MEMORY OF E.R. WOELFEL, PRINCIPAL-SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1921-1947.

Five members of the Class of 1940 have been invited to attend the Class of 1990 graduation. On hand to once again hear their former rallying clarion (the Clock Bell) will be Richard Combes (Sodus), Frances DeMarco and Marian Rykbost (Newark), Madaline Evans Mills (Wolcott), Helen Walker (Phelps). These five will recall having a senior ball on their graduation night. (Tuesday after tests). All agree that it is best to leave the all night Surf's Up Operation 1990 for the present day youths. Congratulations Class of 1990.

THE SPIRAL FIRE ESCAPE

The School Board raised $500 for the erection of a fire escape. After batting the matter back and forth from the time of the building of the school in 1891, no fire escape was built. In 1894, the fire escaped was no longer a subject of debate.

The State Fire Marshall ordered the school officials to build the fire escapes. Many old-timers recall the spiral fire escape built on the west side of the building, affectionately called the "Silo." The Silo was dark and spooky but no quicker manner of exit could have been used.

When the fire alarm sounded, one of the male students would slide down on a burlap bag to clean it up before the girls went down the chute. The younger students enjoyed going down the chute - others did not like it at all.

The teachers, after making sure that all students were out of the building, were the last to leave.

Margaret Fortmiller, class of '28, recalls that the first time she went down that circular fire escape, she was absolutely terrified and somehow she managed to come out head first. Whomever was at the exit that day, caught her, preventing her from hitting her head on the ground.

E.R. Woelfel, principal, thought that if Hugh McClellan, Class of 1928, had more responsibility, it would improve his behavior and consequently he appointed him Fire Chief. The most desired location, according to Hugh, was at the bottom of the spiral chute fire exit. Not only was it fun to clean the chute surface with the seat of your pants, but greater sport to assist the girls at the bottom of the chute. Hugh recalled that they were usually so busy keeping their skirts in proper position that they had to be grabbed as they emerged. For a time, Hugh could select the time of a fire drill. However, that privilege was taken from him when Mr. Woelfel realized he always selected the period during a test.

There was a rumor that Rodman Robinson, Class of 1928, once rode his bicycle down the chute. We wrote to his sister, Eleanor Robinson-Fulton, also Class of 1928, to inquire if that rumor was true. She replied that it was. Robbo had several of his friends standing guard watching for the janitors' movements. When the coast was clear, Robbo carried his bicycle to the second floor and hid in a cloakroom until the "gang" was ready to execute the project. Of course, he had some of his friends at the exit to cheer him on.

Tommy Bowerman once rode his bike down the open fire escape on the east side of the building and he found out that once was enough.

THE MYSTERIOUS BELL RINGER

On Halloween night in 1928, the bell on top of the Washington School started ringing. Two police officers, James Severson and Irving Clark, were summoned to the school to find the bell-ringing culprit.

As they entered the building and headed for the eighth grade cloak room, they were certain that they would nab the bell ringer as the bell was still ringing. When they entered the room, there was the rope used to ring the bell, going up and down and no one around. They were perplexed to see the rope going up and down and no one around. Even Wallace Follette, Sr., custodian and official bell ringer, was puzzled as to how the bell was ringing with no one around.

When the committee members of the Class of 1928 met in 1978 to plan for the 50th class reunion, it was learned that Rodman Robinson was the mysterious bell ringer - but he would not tell how he did it.

According to Bruce Clark, class of 1928, and also a committee member, said that Rodman told him how it was done. After the school was locked up for the night, Rodman climbed up the fire escape on the east side of the school, but how he got on the roof still remains a mystery. He told Bruce that he had to struggle to get to the top of the peak on the roof. He then tied a piano wire to the bell and strung it across the court and gym onto the George Richmond property (now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Rook) on Williams Street.

Robbo was pulling the piano wire and having the time of his life knowing that the police officers would not be able to solve the problem.

This bell was the one installed in the then-new school which was opened in 1891 and was in use until 1928 when the Allerton clock and bell were installed.

At the 50th class reunion of the Class of 1928, Richard Meyer presented Robbo with an award and when he opened it there was a bell, which Robbo began to ring.

CENTRAL PARK

The opening festivities of the Class of 1940 started at Central Park Tuesday, July 17, 1990, with a Community Band Concert conducted by Robert Franchi. Mr. Franchi featured Big Band Era Medleys, school, college songs and NHS Alma Mater.

On Saturday, July 21, 1990, festivities began at noon with the playing of Stinson Band Organ Music, courtesy of Alumni Russell and Betty Chase Pelow.

Central Park, located on South Main Street, was the first park located in Newark.

According to One Hundred Years 1853-1953 by Cetilia Bolles Jackson, the land was donated in 1847 by Stephen Culver. Trees were planted in the Park by Culver and Clark Mason. The Park was fenced to keep the farm animals off the land since in spite of an early ordinance to keep them off the streets, the cows preferred to seek shelter from the noon-day sun under the trees planted there.

Stephen F. Sherman contributed the band stand which is still used for weekly band concerts held during the summer months. The present day band concerts were a direct result of the early band formed by the cigar makers. In those days, the concerts were held from a band wagon parked at the Four Corners on Saturday nights. Three of the musicians went on to play for John Phillip Sousa, according to William Croucher. They were John Richardson, Arthur Bryer and Walt Shafer.

When Sousa's band came to Newark in the early 1920's, a number of players were sent to the Croucher home to serenade George Croucher, who was ill at that time.

All Memorial Day parades end at Central Park. The school children who march in the parade were given a free ice cream cone. This custom was instituted by Newark's first park commissioner, E.R. Elliott, Sr.

The various veteran organizations; such as, the GAR and the Legion voted for a permanent living Memorial for our servicemen and as a result a granite monument was dedicated May 30, 1928. This monument is located on the South Main Street side of the Park.

On Memorial Day in 1989, a Vietnam Memorial was erected in the park of the Church Street side.

OLD WASHINGTON SCHOOL GYM
(now Alex Eligh Community Center

The afternoon of July 21, 1990, Alumni of the Washington School gathered at the Old Gym for a social hour. Former students and guests renewed old acquaintances after the festivities held in Central Park and before attending the (re)graduation of the members of the Class of 1940, at the Presbyterian Church. Some of these alumni had not seen each other in over 50 years.

When the Washington School closed June 1940, three men, who played volleyball at Perkins School one evening a week, thought the gym would be ideal for a place for sports.

The three men were Richard Chaffee, Robert Kalb and Don Bird. They met with Leslie Engleson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, to make plans and draw up the by-laws. Marshall Livingston, attorney, volunteered to draw up a charter for the non-profit organization.

Many people contributed time, material and effort to improve, remodel and repair the building. By 1941, it was ready for a tea and open house and it was named "Newark Community Center." William H. Williams was the first director.

Alexander Eligh came to Newark on March 13, 1948, from Rochester and began his duties as director. Under his direction, he supervised the installation of a tennis court and during the winter months it was used as a skating rink.

(In 1970, the Board of Directors decided to honor Alex by naming the Center the Alex Eligh Community Center because of his work and interest with the young people of Newark and because of the respect the young people had for Alex.)

Alex retired in 1974.

Michael Muscolino, the present director, assumed his duties in December 1987. Michael was involved with the social hour of the Class of 1940 reunion. He worked with Helen Taylor A. Walker to make sure the Center was in a presentable shape for the reception. Michael has done a lot of work to the Center to make it an ideal place for the young people to meet and play. He is also very much involved with the welfare of the young people.

The Alumni, attending the reception, were very pleased to see what was done to our former gymnasium,

In 1917, it was decided that the Newark Union School and Academy needed a gymnasium - a good up-to-date one. The gymnasium was to have a basketball hall, or a place that could be cleared for that purpose. Games were played in the City Hall. The disadvantage to this arrangement was that, before the games, both teams had to dress for the games at a hotel and then run up to the hall through the cold and snow. After the game, they had to run back to the hotel to dress, without having a shower bath.

The gym could also be used for the Junior and Senior dances, Senior plays, assemblies, etc.

The formal opening and dedication of the new gymnasium took place on Saturday, Dec. 30, 1917, at 3 p.m. The building which has a seating capacity of 900 was nearly filled for the dedication.

The principal speaker and guest of honor was the Hon. John Houston Finley, State Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York. He stated that he brought a greeting from Gov. Whitman to this first tangible expression of the new Physical Training Law. He also said that he was going to ask Governor Whitman to have this law embossed and presented to Newark to be hung in the gymnasium. (Alice Marie Galusha Class of 1917).

WASHINGTON SCHOOL CUSTODIANS

The history of the Washington School would not be complete unless there was something written about the Follettes.

Wallace Follette, Sr., began his duties as custodian in the early 1920s and retired at the end of the school year in 1939. Because of his fondness for the children, he was called "Pops" and when the younger generation of students entered school, they called him "Gramps."

It was "Pops'" duty to ring the school bell and he was always on time. The bell was located on top of the school building and was attached to a rope. He had to pull the rope to make the bell ring. The rope was located in the cloak room of Grade 8.

One day a girl asked "Pops" if she could ring the bell. "Pops" told her she could. She pulled the rope down but as the rope was going up, she went up with it. Two of us started to scream "grab her." We thought that the girl was going to the ceiling through the opening to the top of the roof. "Pops" started to laugh, and the louder we screamed the louder he laughed. When she was two feet off the floor he grabbed her and down she came. We did not realize at the time that the rope went just so high and then stopped.

Harold Follette, class of 1940, helped his grandfather, Wallace, under a program called NIA. Leonard VanDusen, Class of 1939, also worked under the program.

LeRoy Follette started working with his father, Wallace, in 1928 and retired in 1965. He then worked part time during 1965-66 school year to help the new custodian. LeRoy worked in three different schools - the Washington School, the new Newark High School when it opened on West Miller Street in 1940 and then when the Newark High School opened on Peirson Ave. in 1958, he started working there.

In 1940, John Frantz started working as custodian at the Washington School. John, because of his concern for the students, would give a pep talk over the loud speaker before any sports game. He helped with the moving of equipment from the Washington school to the school on West Miller Street. In 1957, he resigned due to a hip injury and became the Collector of Taxes.

THE DEMOLITION OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL

In 1944, the school housed between 160 and 175 German Prisoners of War for several years.

A barricade fence, with 35 stands of barbed wire was placed around three sides of the building. The west wing was blocked off.

A tower was built on the corner of East Avenue and Church Street which was used by the 30 military police guards.

According to an article in the Courier-Gazette dated July 15, 1948, a wrecking crew began removing the three-story old Washington School building from it 57-year site at the corner of Church Street and East Avenue.

The contract between the village (who owned the building) and the Alliance Wrecking Co. of Rochester, low bidder for the job, was signed July 16, 1948. Village Attorney Avery B. Robinson drew up the contract.

Sam LaPlaca, head of the wrecking firm, stated he would start the demolition work as the contract was executed. His bid for $1,790 was low among four submitted to the Village Board.

Mr. LaPlaca, the supervising personnel, and his crew came from Rochester. Several local men from Newark were hired. Mr. LaPlaca said that little of the thousands of bricks and sandstone in the structure was of any salvage value.

The first thing they did was to dismantle the big memorial clock and bell atop of the building. The clock, which cost $70, and the clock bell were place in storage. Next the proof came off, the walls collapsed inward and a power shovel scooped up the debris which was carted away.

The concrete basement floor was broken up first, however, to prevent water from collecting and stagnating there.

The completion took less than six months. There were many people viewing the wrecking with memories of their school days.

Fay Rumsey, Newark Salvage Chairman, on a snooping tour for scrap metal, climbed on top of the old High School Building to retrieve the original school bell (not tower bell). The bell will ring for victory as part of the village junk heap.

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