Collection Full View
Central High School Collection (1913 - 1993)
Collection IDMG Nwk Central H.S.
Size23 volumes
Collection Description
Central Commercial and Manual Training High School, on High Street between New and Summit Streets, was dedicated on January 31, 1912. Rabbi Solomon Foster gave the invocation, the benediction was by the Reverend William H. Morgan, and John Cotton Dana and Philander P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, were among the speakers. The dedication was held in the school's auditorium, which could seat 1,500. The school, soon renamed Central High School, quickly grew to enroll nearly 1,200 students. In 1913 an evening school was started. The building was enlarged in 1915, and in the same year a summer school was instituted. Central's first principal, William Wiener, served until 1938. Among the school's labs and workshops were a forge and a foundry, a sewing room, a sheet-metal room, and a wood shop. Over the years Central fielded athletic teams or clubs in soccer, baseball, track, football, basketball, golf, tennis, riflery, field hockey, and swimming, among other sports. The teams competed primarily in Essex County but in the early years some games and matches were played against New York City schools, including Stuyvesant High School.
Central HS remained at its original address until 2008 when its imposing structure was renovated to become the Central King Building, part of the campus of New Jersey Institute of Technology. In the same year Central HS began the move into its new $170 million building at 246 18th Avenue in Newark. The move was completed in 2010. Ras Baraka served as principal of Central High School from 2007 to 2013, before his election as Mayor of Newark.
Central HS remained at its original address until 2008 when its imposing structure was renovated to become the Central King Building, part of the campus of New Jersey Institute of Technology. In the same year Central HS began the move into its new $170 million building at 246 18th Avenue in Newark. The move was completed in 2010. Ras Baraka served as principal of Central High School from 2007 to 2013, before his election as Mayor of Newark.
Collection Contents
The collection is comprised of 23 binders containing clippings, correspondence, programs, awards, photographs, sports memorabilia, etc., collected by Robert A. Illig (CHS, 1950). Illig also compiled a two-volume collection of photocopied Central High School memorabilia, entitled "Our Lady on the Hill." These volumes, which are described in a separate entry, reproduce some of the material found in these binders.
Volumes 1-4, "Letters," consist of correspondence, primarily responses from Central HS graduates or the families of alumni to Illig's requests for reminiscences, photographs, yearbooks, class rings, sports-memorabilia, and other material or information related to the school (1990-1993). Letters, with biographical details and reminiscences of the school and of Newark in general, relate to, but are not limited to, the following alumni:
Volume 1: Daniel Ruhnke, Joseph Gamba, Frank Preston Gill, Eleanor (English) Gallagher, Pete Steffens, Ernest Kritzmacher; Volume 2: Irv Schnitzer, Isadore (Dore) Schary (by David Steinberg), Nancy Frederici, Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell, William Koczyk, Mel Bourne, and the Rev. Michael A. Fuino; Volume 3: Isadore Wasserman, Max M. Novich, Florence M. Smith, Roy Wright, Alexander Matturri, Connie Springer, Sigmund Rothschild (by Sigrid Rothschild), and Tony Farina; and Volume 4: Frank Loskot, John Kreig, Willard Burnett, Robert La Torre, Nat Bodian, and Joseph Kruger. A few individuals, including Daniel Ruhnke, Frank Gill, and Max Novich sent several letters, scattered throughout the volumes. Volume 2 also includes lists of incidents of fires and false fire alarms from 1978-1988.
Volumes 5-10: "Sports 1 (1913-1949)," "Sports 2 (1916-1991)," "Sports 3 and Cross Country (1935-1991)," "Basketball (1940-1944)," "Fencing (1937-1971)," "City Champ (Baseball team, 1947)," consist primarily of clippings of articles from local Newark newspapers and from Central HS publications related to the school's teams and individual athletes; also included in the volumes are a few rosters, schedules, team photographs, and the occasional varsity letter
Volumes 11-13: are dedicated to individual athletes -- "Greg Cordones, baseball and basketball (1946-1952)," "Vince Carnevale, cross-country (1934-1990)," and "Bill Helbig, football, track (1920-1992)"
Volume14: "Newark Athletic Hall of Fame from Central High School" (1917-1989), consists of brief biographies and athletic career summaries of 20 CHS inductees into the Newark Athletic Hall of fame. Inductees include former students, coaches, and one championship football team.
Volume 15: "Central High School Football Scrapbook (1945-1949)"
Volume16: "Pre-Central," contains typed excerpts from newspapers, and the Central High School Handbook regarding the construction of the school, the dedication of the school, "historical facts," and diagrams of the floors
Volume17: "Central's Distinguished Alumni," consists of a list of distinguished alumni by profession, followed by related clippings, photographs, etc. Individuals represented in this volume include Brigadier General Kenneth Reith, Police Director Hubert Williams, Vietnam War POW Larry Guarino, orthopedic surgeon Max Novich, World War II POW Otto Schwarz, Prudential Insurance Company Executive Joseph Vecchione, Metropolitan Opera First Violinist Joseph John Malfitano, art appraiser Sigmund Rothschild, Paterson school principal Joe Clark, Mother of the Year Josephine Zuccarello Alagna, Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson, New Jersey state senator Donal C. Fox, and others.
Volume 18: "Central's Misc. History, 1912-1993," consists largely of clippings, including obituaries, from newspapers and CHS publications, regarding the school's alumni, teachers, coaches, and principals. Also included are a few photographs of alumni and several lists: of principals (1912-1989), of authors who graduated from CHS, of fire incidents, etc. Individuals mentioned in the clippings include, but are not limited to: Principal William Wiener, English teachers Alex Lewis and Jessie Boutillier, fencing coach Constantine Rotunda, Physical Education chairman Harry "Doc" Sargent, Hollywood producer Dore Schary, and Newark City Councilman Donald Bradley
Volume 19: Carl G Anderson (ca. 1913, copies-1993), clippings, letters
Volume 20: Miscellaneous No. 1, Plan for Central HS from 1940 Handbook; John F. Bateman biography; football flyers/schedules (1924-1927); report cards (1920, Kitzmacher and 1938-1940 Margaret Spry); articles (1912-1982, some copied); postcard (1916); Class Day programs (1945, 1949); list of principals; medal (Bessie Kasem, 1921); photos (not original, 1917, 1921); Track and Field timeline (1914-1968); "History of Central High School," tickets, awards and certificates (Margaret Spry, 1938-1940; Gill sports letter, 1916); "Central's First Faculty"; Nicholas Scalera, Judge's questionairre, Roll of Honor (1922); Frank P Gill, Dore Schary, and Albert Lewin photos); 25th Anniversary Dinner Dance program (1962)
Volume 21: Miscellaneous No. 2, Dedication program (1928, copy); flyers, brochures, articles (1934-1991); "Memorial for William Bauer" (1990); Pivot (Jan 1922 issue); Tangent (Jun 1990); Alma Mater song; football programs (1926-1946); miscellaneous programs; handwritten document, Student Council (1932); Central Chatter (1926-1927 and undated); "The Goals of Education" (1931); "Football at Central" (1943); Stadium News (1928), "Songs and Cheers" (1925); material on Jacob Schaffer, DDS; class election material; material on Helen Reingold; "Down Memory Lane"; Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell clippings; etc.
Volume 22: Miscellaneous No. 3, commencement programs (1917-1965, with gaps); Valedictorian speech od Irene Marchuk, class of June 1949; articles (1929-1991); invitations; certificates of Marion Yanick (Class 1940) and Helen Metsopolish (1937); material on Dr. Max Novich; "Great Black Athletes" compiled by Jocko Maxwell, class of June 1928; class song; sports letter of Emma D'Aloia Jacobus, class of 1936; reunion material; material from Antoinette Casciano, including "Some Memories from Central High School," photos, and award pins; report cards of Alex Caprio, Gertrude Riker, Antoinette Casciano, and Marion Yanick (1933-1947); testimonial dinner for Salvatore Commisa (1959); school pins from Gertrude Riker Meeker; material on Horace S. Bellfatto (1981); John Bateman photo; photo of school; articles on Fred Kilgus, Inc. contractors who built Central HS (1911-1949); etc.
Volume 23: Miscellaneous No. 4, articles (1912-1992); photos of Helen Budznski, Celia Horowitz, and Evelyn Schieling; reunion material; Class Day 1945 program; Senior Recognition Day (1961, 1963); handbook; "Our Best" (Jun 1945 Class Project); speech, June 1949, Barron Castle; miscellaneous tickets and programs; Class Day (1912); Interscholastic Championships (1919); Gertrude Riker photo and certificate; John Broadbent photo; etc.
Volumes 1-4, "Letters," consist of correspondence, primarily responses from Central HS graduates or the families of alumni to Illig's requests for reminiscences, photographs, yearbooks, class rings, sports-memorabilia, and other material or information related to the school (1990-1993). Letters, with biographical details and reminiscences of the school and of Newark in general, relate to, but are not limited to, the following alumni:
Volume 1: Daniel Ruhnke, Joseph Gamba, Frank Preston Gill, Eleanor (English) Gallagher, Pete Steffens, Ernest Kritzmacher; Volume 2: Irv Schnitzer, Isadore (Dore) Schary (by David Steinberg), Nancy Frederici, Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell, William Koczyk, Mel Bourne, and the Rev. Michael A. Fuino; Volume 3: Isadore Wasserman, Max M. Novich, Florence M. Smith, Roy Wright, Alexander Matturri, Connie Springer, Sigmund Rothschild (by Sigrid Rothschild), and Tony Farina; and Volume 4: Frank Loskot, John Kreig, Willard Burnett, Robert La Torre, Nat Bodian, and Joseph Kruger. A few individuals, including Daniel Ruhnke, Frank Gill, and Max Novich sent several letters, scattered throughout the volumes. Volume 2 also includes lists of incidents of fires and false fire alarms from 1978-1988.
Volumes 5-10: "Sports 1 (1913-1949)," "Sports 2 (1916-1991)," "Sports 3 and Cross Country (1935-1991)," "Basketball (1940-1944)," "Fencing (1937-1971)," "City Champ (Baseball team, 1947)," consist primarily of clippings of articles from local Newark newspapers and from Central HS publications related to the school's teams and individual athletes; also included in the volumes are a few rosters, schedules, team photographs, and the occasional varsity letter
Volumes 11-13: are dedicated to individual athletes -- "Greg Cordones, baseball and basketball (1946-1952)," "Vince Carnevale, cross-country (1934-1990)," and "Bill Helbig, football, track (1920-1992)"
Volume14: "Newark Athletic Hall of Fame from Central High School" (1917-1989), consists of brief biographies and athletic career summaries of 20 CHS inductees into the Newark Athletic Hall of fame. Inductees include former students, coaches, and one championship football team.
Volume 15: "Central High School Football Scrapbook (1945-1949)"
Volume16: "Pre-Central," contains typed excerpts from newspapers, and the Central High School Handbook regarding the construction of the school, the dedication of the school, "historical facts," and diagrams of the floors
Volume17: "Central's Distinguished Alumni," consists of a list of distinguished alumni by profession, followed by related clippings, photographs, etc. Individuals represented in this volume include Brigadier General Kenneth Reith, Police Director Hubert Williams, Vietnam War POW Larry Guarino, orthopedic surgeon Max Novich, World War II POW Otto Schwarz, Prudential Insurance Company Executive Joseph Vecchione, Metropolitan Opera First Violinist Joseph John Malfitano, art appraiser Sigmund Rothschild, Paterson school principal Joe Clark, Mother of the Year Josephine Zuccarello Alagna, Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson, New Jersey state senator Donal C. Fox, and others.
Volume 18: "Central's Misc. History, 1912-1993," consists largely of clippings, including obituaries, from newspapers and CHS publications, regarding the school's alumni, teachers, coaches, and principals. Also included are a few photographs of alumni and several lists: of principals (1912-1989), of authors who graduated from CHS, of fire incidents, etc. Individuals mentioned in the clippings include, but are not limited to: Principal William Wiener, English teachers Alex Lewis and Jessie Boutillier, fencing coach Constantine Rotunda, Physical Education chairman Harry "Doc" Sargent, Hollywood producer Dore Schary, and Newark City Councilman Donald Bradley
Volume 19: Carl G Anderson (ca. 1913, copies-1993), clippings, letters
Volume 20: Miscellaneous No. 1, Plan for Central HS from 1940 Handbook; John F. Bateman biography; football flyers/schedules (1924-1927); report cards (1920, Kitzmacher and 1938-1940 Margaret Spry); articles (1912-1982, some copied); postcard (1916); Class Day programs (1945, 1949); list of principals; medal (Bessie Kasem, 1921); photos (not original, 1917, 1921); Track and Field timeline (1914-1968); "History of Central High School," tickets, awards and certificates (Margaret Spry, 1938-1940; Gill sports letter, 1916); "Central's First Faculty"; Nicholas Scalera, Judge's questionairre, Roll of Honor (1922); Frank P Gill, Dore Schary, and Albert Lewin photos); 25th Anniversary Dinner Dance program (1962)
Volume 21: Miscellaneous No. 2, Dedication program (1928, copy); flyers, brochures, articles (1934-1991); "Memorial for William Bauer" (1990); Pivot (Jan 1922 issue); Tangent (Jun 1990); Alma Mater song; football programs (1926-1946); miscellaneous programs; handwritten document, Student Council (1932); Central Chatter (1926-1927 and undated); "The Goals of Education" (1931); "Football at Central" (1943); Stadium News (1928), "Songs and Cheers" (1925); material on Jacob Schaffer, DDS; class election material; material on Helen Reingold; "Down Memory Lane"; Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell clippings; etc.
Volume 22: Miscellaneous No. 3, commencement programs (1917-1965, with gaps); Valedictorian speech od Irene Marchuk, class of June 1949; articles (1929-1991); invitations; certificates of Marion Yanick (Class 1940) and Helen Metsopolish (1937); material on Dr. Max Novich; "Great Black Athletes" compiled by Jocko Maxwell, class of June 1928; class song; sports letter of Emma D'Aloia Jacobus, class of 1936; reunion material; material from Antoinette Casciano, including "Some Memories from Central High School," photos, and award pins; report cards of Alex Caprio, Gertrude Riker, Antoinette Casciano, and Marion Yanick (1933-1947); testimonial dinner for Salvatore Commisa (1959); school pins from Gertrude Riker Meeker; material on Horace S. Bellfatto (1981); John Bateman photo; photo of school; articles on Fred Kilgus, Inc. contractors who built Central HS (1911-1949); etc.
Volume 23: Miscellaneous No. 4, articles (1912-1992); photos of Helen Budznski, Celia Horowitz, and Evelyn Schieling; reunion material; Class Day 1945 program; Senior Recognition Day (1961, 1963); handbook; "Our Best" (Jun 1945 Class Project); speech, June 1949, Barron Castle; miscellaneous tickets and programs; Class Day (1912); Interscholastic Championships (1919); Gertrude Riker photo and certificate; John Broadbent photo; etc.
FormatsArtifacts; Photographic materials; Textual materials
SubjectsArchitecture / Building; Education; Italian-American History; Medicine / Public Health; Music; Politics and Government; Sports
Time Period20th Century
LanguageEnglish
Access policyOpen for research
Finding AidYes