I was recently passing through Ridgewood again and stopped by RHS to see what's been going on. There never seems to be a shortage of construction projects there these days. As I write this they're adding new stands on the visitor side of the football field which is nice but I fear it will obstruct the great view of the field as you walk along the wall on Heermance Place. The turf field looks great - though the heart misses the real grass (but not the drainage problems though!) They have construction fencing all over the place again - obviously I know this is temporary. I will make it there again next Saturday on our way to a family party so Jennie and I will be able to take more pictures!
Above are the new stands going in on the vistors side - needed but will it obstruct a nice view?
But this day - Aug 6, I wanted to show my daughter Jennie "our" courtyard (hey once you've graduated Ridgewood High School you always refer to it as "our this" and "our that"). We walked into the courtyard around back (a courtyard I fondly remember) and I was struck by how terribly different it looks - how wrong it looks. Its so cramped and is a hodge podge of modern tables and seemingly directionless - a mess despite construction. It also appears to be nothing more than a storage area, pass through area, etc. Granted there is construction going on but honestly there is simply no courtyard anymore - gone are the flowers and the reason for the courtyard in the first place. Look at the pictures in 1973 of what the courtyard looked like - it was condusive to meeting with fellow students or class officers about issues, studying outside during a free period and was pleasing to the eye.
Above is a photo of the "new" courtyard and student commons as it appeared in 1962. It was part of a huge expansion that included the new library above the commons, the new industrail art wing, the new gym wing and a renovated older building. Much thought went into what the end result would be and it succeeded.
Below are photos of the courtyard and student center as they appeared in 1973 - whether it was the winter or the fall you could enjoy the view of the courtyard from the student center and the classrooms above and in the good weather you could enjoy this great outdoor space to relax or study.
The landscaping too was a major appeal.
Above is a sunny view of the courtyard from inside the student center.
Above: leaving the student center or the "block" and heading to class.
Above: as many did, here is the Student Congress posing for a picture just outside the student center.
I realize the lack of space and the need to build as much as possible in what space you have but I hope the school doesn't lose sight of its history - an extraordinary history. Its a school in a town that has much to be proud of.
The old crossway to the industrial arts wing and the boys gym - the windows to the cafeteria are on the far left. I used to take auto mechanics in the industrial arts wing - I don't know why but I ended up not going - didn't cancel the class - just didn't go! Kevin Harper told me for weeks and weeks Mr Mitchell would call my name during attendance - "Flannery - Flannery - Flannery....he's not here Mr. Mitchell!" - it was pretty funny because he literally did that for weeks - I think on purpose - I was a mystery guy so he had fun with it - I finally caught up with him when I graduated and we laughed about it!
In August 2010 I made a trek down to meet up with John Wescott, Jim Ranton, Arne Olsen, Dave Burdick, Roger Sweeney, Fern Gomez and Dave Vanderbush. As told previously in this blog, Dave Vanderbush took us on a great tour of RHS before lunch - thanks again Rusty for arranging all of that! One of the things he pointed out was this gorgeous plaque - this huge heavily laquered, wooden plaque that listed the names of those RHS students who served in World War II. Apparently, this incredible piece of school history had made its way to the dumpster. This was all during another construction project last year - you know, out with the old, in with the new without pausing to say "Wait a minute, this is a piece of the school's history!" As with anything - wars, poiltics, local history - one can never forget the past in order to properly move forward to the future - forgetting can have devestating effects.
Well, Dave told us that a teacher actually saw this huge plaque near the dumpster and rescued it and found a place for it just across from the entrance to the cafeteria - allelujah! It is sad though that it takes the second thought or someone passing by the dumpster in order to save it.
Above is the World War II plaque (rightfully HUGE plaque) honoring RHS students who served during World War II. It was thrown away and saved and hung in a place of prominence across from the cafeteria.
Hey I was pro-RHS when I went there but am more so today. Obviously I understand the full-speed ahead-thinking but you can do that and still preserve history AND do new construction all while keeping the old RHS architecture in mind. Take the courtyard clock for instance - it's not in keeping with the look of the school and even if you like the modern look of the clock, there was really no imagination in its construction - not for a school with as rich a history as RHS. Yeah, I know I'm begging comments here I suppose but don't get defensive on me BOE! Hey having said all this you guys did a phenomenal job on the gym wing!
The clock in the courtyard - just doesn't fit.
Hey Board of Ed before I get sent protesting comments - don't take this all the wrong way - probably many of you didn't even grow up in Ridgewood - but no matter where you live the top priority should always be: grow but preserve - and that can mean architecture, a way of life, status as a town with top schools, limiting over-zealous growth, keeping a plaque - you've got a rich history Ridgewood - it doesn't cost any extra really - you don't even need a grant - to protect it!
UPDATE: the visitor football stands are looking nice!
