Community center board to collect remembrances during open house
CONNELLSVILLE — The Greater Connellsville Community Center will open its doors to visitors during the Memorial Day weekend.
The former Connellsville High School that was built in 1916 on Fairview Avenue is now owned by the city of Connellsville, with a board of directors overseeing the day-to-day operations of the building.
The focus of the open house will be to begin the collection of memories of former students and teachers as the board prepares to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the building.
“We are anxious to start collecting memories and memorabilia of graduates, employees and school activities to display in a classroom at the center,” said Sue Wagner, board member. “We are hoping to collect yearbooks, photos, trophies and other items that can be displayed and preserved for future generations to enjoy.”
Wagner added that the collected items will become a part of a permanent museum at the community center.
Visitors also will be asked to share their memories of the school.
Recently, the board received a Sprout Fund Seed Award that will be used to purchase recording equipment.
“Visitors will be asked to share their memories in a recorded interview setting to share their favorite class, a memorable teacher, dances, sporting events or about club activities,” said Wagner.
The recordings will be compiled and then shown during the Dec. 1 and 2 “It’s A Connellsville Christmas” to be hosted by Downtown Connellsville, the city’s “main street” program.
During the open house the hosts will collect contact information to later record the recollections of former students. Written memories can also be submitted.
Wagner said the open house will also provide an opportunity for the board to showcase some recent improvements at the center, including the renovation of the auditorium, the addition of the community gardens and the installation of a new heating system and lighting improvements.
Also, the board will be offering visitors the opportunity to purchase engraved bricks for a “memory lane” to honor loved ones or to memorialize a classmate or teacher.
Wagner said that the bricks will be used to create an outdoor sidewalk leading into the building and past the community gardens. Also, memorial plaques will be sold to pay tribute to individuals, organizations or other groups and will be placed in an interior location.
The building will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Friday in conjunction with the Yough Country Symposium, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday during the Geranium Festival and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday during the Golden Reunion being held at East Park.