Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies - www.kevindayhoff.net - Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. The mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist: National and International politics. For community see www.kevindayhoff.org. For art, writing and travel see www.kevindayhoff.com
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Dayhoff: Sirinakis' life story reminds us of Westminster's open arms
Monday, August 09, 2010
Taping Mike Eaton memories on Friday at Cockey's
LABELS: HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF CARROLL CO, HISTORY,HISTORY CARROLL CO, HISTORY WESTMINSTER, PEOPLE EATON MIKE
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
DAYHOFF: Buell College in Westminster started with 8 acres and $10,000
DAYHOFF: Buell College in Westminster started with 8 acres and $10,000
If you consult your notes from last week, you may recall that we were discussing how the WMC Heritage Society is renovating the stone home, at 205 Pennsylvania Ave., Westminster, of the founder of McDaniel College, Fayette Rufus Buell. http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/4551/buell-college-westminster-started-with-8-acres-10000/
LABELS: COLLEGES MCDANIEL, DAYHOFF MEDIA EXPLORE CARROLL, HISTORY, HISTORY WESTMINSTER
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com
Saturday, July 31, 2010
DAYHOFF: Buell College in Westminster started with 8 acres and $10,000
If you consult your notes from last week, you may recall that we were discussing how the WMC Heritage Society is renovating the stone home, at 205 Pennsylvania Ave., Westminster, of the founder of McDaniel College, Fayette Rufus Buell. http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/4551/buell-college-westminster-started-with-8-acres-10000/
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- Carroll County Sheriff's Office: Inmate accidentally released from jail and captured again
- Published July 30, 2010 by Carroll Eagle
- The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office announced that they have an inmate back in custody after he was accidentally released from the county detention center just before noon Friday.Thomas Manley Raver, 42 of the 100-block of Pennsylvania Ave. in Westminster, ... ...
- DAYHOFF: WMC renovation project marks birthplace of McDaniel College
- Published July 25, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
- ... pick up the story in our next class. For your homework assignment, who can tell me why Buell's college was named "Western Maryland College?" Class dismissed. When he's not in summer school, Kevin Dayhoff
- State police recover body from Liberty reservoir near Finksburg
- Published July 20, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
- The body of a Catonsville man who disappeared Sunday under the surface of Liberty Reservoir in Finksburg was recovered today around noon by dive team members from the Maryland State Police and the Baltimore County Police, according to Maryland State ... ...
- Maryland State Police continue search for missing swimmer in Liberty Reservoir
- Published July 19, 2010 by Carroll Eagle
- FINKSBURG — Maryland State Police report tonight that the search for a Catonsville man who disappeared Sunday under the surface of Liberty Reservoir in Finksburg was temporarily suspended late Monday evening.“State Police and search teams are expected to ... ...
- EAGLE ARCHIVE: From the rails to the pews, new churches are big deal in Carroll County
- Published July 18, 2010 by Carroll Eagle
- ... the building fund of the new church; a nickel and a copper coin of 1897 ..." I wonder if the church has ever re-opened the time capsule? When he is not sitting in a pew all the way in the back, Kevin Dayhoff
- Ehrlich joins the party for Manchester's 125th anniversary
- Published July 11, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
- Maryland Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert L. Ehrlich and his lieutenant governor running mate, Mary Kane, visited Manchester Volunteer Fire Department’s 125th annual carnival on Saturday night.The weather gave those attending the carnival a brief ... ...
- ARCHIVE: Cornerstone for St. Paul's was celebrated across Carroll County
- Published July 11, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
- ... better to stick to my historical sermon, and I'll tell more about the laying of the cornerstone for St. Paul's in July 1897. When he is not eating all the cookies in the greeting room before church, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com....
- Haddad to step down as Carroll County Chamber of Commerce president
- Published July 10, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
- The president of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Richard Haddad, 68, has announced that he will be stepping down from his post.Haddad, who has held the reins of the chamber since he was hired on February 27, 2006, is looking forward to ... ...
- George H Miller, 'true patriot' of Westminster, dies at 89
- Published July 6, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
- Friends and family gathered at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home June 30 to say goodbye George Henry Miller. He died at his home June 24, 2010. He was 89.Miller wore many hats over the years and was known by many as a tireless supporter of the community. He ... ...
- Freedom is truly not free, and it carried a hefty price in 1863
- Published July 4, 2010 by Carroll Eagle
- ... �� remember freedom isn't free. Much of it came at a high price, and it sure was messy. When he's not "mustering" a hot dog, Kevin Dayhoff may
New Bedford Herald by Kevin Dayhoff - Carroll County Sheriff's ...
By New Bedford Herald
Carroll County Sheriff's Office: Inmate accidentally released from jail and captured again. Westminster man wanted for burglary found near his home. By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 7/30/10 ...
New Bedford Herald by Kevin Dayhoff - http://kbetrue.livejournal.
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Haddad to step down as Carroll County Chamber of Commerce president
Rich Haddad to step down as Carroll County Chamber of Commerce president http://tinyurl.com/28xlyws
http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/338905.html
He will take his place in a long history of business leaders with the chamber.
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/07/haddad-to-step-down-as-carroll-county.html
July 7, 2010
By Kevin Dayhoff
The president of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Richard Haddad, 68, has announced that he will be stepping down from his post.
Haddad, who has held the reins of the chamber since he was hired on February 27, 2006, is looking forward to transitioning into retirement after a long career in management, according to a release from the local business umbrella organization early Wednesday morning.
“Haddad, and his wife, Valorie, are in the process of selling their home and moving to something smaller now that their five children are grown,” observed the announcement.
The Haddad’s “plan to remain in Carroll County. The ‘downsizing’ is a step toward retirement for Haddad, but he expects that he will continue working in some capacity, possibly on a contract basis, for some 12 to 18 months after leaving the chamber.”
In his retirement announcement Haddad noted, “I can honestly say, that in my entire career I’ve never enjoyed a job as much as I’ve enjoyed being chamber president. The chamber is a great organization with a great staff, it operates in a great community, and I’m proud to have been a part of its history.”
The local chamber has had a long and storied history in its role in promoting local businesses.
The roots of the present-day chamber date back to the first meeting of the “Westminster Chamber of Commerce” on Wednesday, July 23, 1924. The Westminster Chamber of Commerce became the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 1, 1973.
An old newspaper clipping on July 25, 1924 documents that T. W. Mather Jr., Charles W. Klee and C. Edgar Nusbaum called a meeting of "75 citizens" at the Westminster Fire Hall on Wednesday afternoon, July 23, 1924: “to consider and hear the views of the business men as to the advisability of forming a Chamber of Commerce for this city.”
According to a history of the chamber written by Diana Scott, the chamber did, at one time, maintain an office in Westminster City Hall.
The original Westminster chamber was formed 26 years after another business organization in Westminster, called the "Retailers' Association of Westminster, Maryland," formed on April 6, 1898 "for the purpose of the development and growth of the city and for mutual protection" against the railroad. Of note, though, is the fact that members of the "Merchants and Manufacturers Association" were invited. Apparently this association pre-dated the Retailers' Association.
It was four years ago that Haddad joined the ranks of the distinguished men and women who have promoted the business interests of Carroll County. In 1924, the officers included a who’s who of local business owners and business leaders.
Officers elected in 1924 were: C. Edgar Nusbaum, president; Miller Richardson, vice president; and executive committee members Joseph Mathias, Carroll Albaugh, D. S. Gehr, W. H. Davis, William N. Keefer, Joseph E. Hunter and T. W. Mather Jr.
Today the chamber represents over 650 businesses and organizations to serve as a catalyst to foster the business environment of Carroll County.
Haddad, who is originally from Brooklyn, New York, first came to Maryland in 1971. He worked in the 1960s as the Equal Employment Opportunity program director for CitiBank in New York.
In Maryland, he first lived in Howard County before moving to Carroll County about 14-years ago. Once he arrived in Carroll County, he became a member of the local chamber and served as a volunteer in a number of capacities including its business and education committee, and a brief tenure on the board of directors.
In 2006, the “combination of his executive management experience and his volunteer work for several Maryland chambers including the Carroll County chamber was attractive to the board,” noted the release.
Haddad, whose particular field of management expertise is human resources, “counts as among his major accomplishments at the Chamber, the establishment of the chamber’s human resources committee, which provides HR programming and services to the small business community.
“The Carroll County Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management, which grew out of the chamber’s HR committee and collaborates with it, focuses on the professional development of HR practitioners and managers in the county.
Haddad also cites “an upgrading of the chamber website to offer features such as online event registration and payment, and a strengthening of the Leadership Carroll program as among his major contributions during his tenure as president.
“The chamber partners with Carroll Community College in offering the Leadership Carroll program. The program now has over 300 alumni.”
“We’re going to miss Rich,” said Nancy Lynch, owner of My Personal Chef and chair of the chamber’s board of directors, in the retirement announcement.
“We were prepared for this announcement and we certainly wish him the best of luck,” said Lynch who added that a search for a new President would begin shortly.
Haddad will not be leaving the chamber for two to three months, and is expected to work with the board in the search for his successor. “I want to do whatever I can,” he said, “to ensure a smooth transition.”
Since the chamber’s board of directors have been aware of Haddad’s plans to step down for some time, preparations are underway to find a new president.
Related:
LABELS: BUS CARROLL CO CHAMBER COMMERCE, DAYHOFF WRITING ESSAYS,HISTORY WESTMINSTER, WRITING ESSAYS BUSINESS
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com
Monday, June 21, 2010
EAGLE ARCHIVE: Westminster Riding Club has been galloping through history http://tinyurl.com/245e2z7
EAGLE ARCHIVE: Westminster Riding Club has been galloping through history http://tinyurl.com/245e2z7
EAGLE ARCHIVE
By Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/245e2z7
Posted 6/20/10
On June 15, 1945, a newspaper reported that the Westminster Riding Club presented the Carroll County War Memorial Fund Committee a check in the amount of $130.36.It was a fine gesture on the part of the club. According to the article in the now-defunct Democratic Advocate, the money was raised from the proceeds from the Carroll County Spring Horse Show, sponsored by the club in May.
When many folks think of the Westminster Riding Club, the first thing that often comes to mind is the swimming pool or memories of a social occasion held at the "club house" banquet hall.
However, this prominent Carroll County organization -- located on North Colonial Avenue on the old William Reese, F. Yingling and F.A. Sharren properties in Westminster -- actually has its roots in horses, just as the name implies.
The grounds of the club were once the location of a riding arena -- the focal point of the club's social and equestrian activities.
Labels: Ag asparagus, Animals horses, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, History, History Westminster, History Westminster 1930s, Westminster Riding Club
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com
Monday, June 14, 2010
We're not the only ones who 'steer' toward Main Street http://tinyurl.com/27bh95h
Westminster MD history: We're not the only ones who 'steer' toward Main Street http://tinyurl.com/27bh95h Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/1wokwn
EAGLE ARCHIVE By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 6/13/10
http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4395/were-not-only-ones-who-steer-toward-main-street/
If you think traffic is bad in Westminster these days, can you imagine what it was like Saturday, June 10, 1922, when a herd of cattle took a stroll through Westminster on their way to the scales at the Farmers' Fertilizer and Feed Company.
Driving livestock to market through town was actually fairly commonplace in Westminster history.
Common destinations were the train yards -- where the Westminster Volunteer Fire Company is now located -- butcher shops in downtown or the William F. Myers packing house, which was capable of processing 10,000 pounds of meat per week in what was then Westminster's heavy industry part of town, the area of Liberty and Green streets.
Read the entire column here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4395/were-not-only-ones-who-steer-toward-main-street/
Labels: Ag History Carroll Co, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, History Carroll Co, History Westminster, History Westminster 1920s, Westminster File Main St
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/06/were-not-only-ones-who-steer-toward.html
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com
Friday, February 12, 2010
Photo Main St at the railroad tracks 1899 blizzard in Westminster MD
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/134olw or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/388362884/photo-of-main-st-at-the-railroad-tracks-feb-14
The photograph on the left is from the family papers of Caroline Babylon and Kevin Dayhoff ©. Depicted is a scene from the February 14, 1899 blizzard. The view is of Main Street, looking west over the railroad tracks at the intersection of Main Street and Liberty Street. Oral history indicates that the individuals in the photo include family member Frank Thomas Babylon. [18990214 Main St during Blizzard]
For contrast this image to the right is from approximately the same era in time. Although this image is from family papers, the image is well circulated and thought to be from a post card. [19000000 Main St and RR Babylon Bldg]
[18990214 Main St Blizzard 1900] Dayhoff photos snow, History 1890s Westminster, History Westminster, History Westminster 1890s, Weather Winter Snow, Westminster File Main St
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/photo-main-st-at-railroad-tracks-1899.html http://tinyurl.com/yzxbos7
Photo of Main St at the railroad tracks Feb 14, 1899 blizzard in Westminster MD http://tinyurl.com/yzxbos7 http://twitpic.com/134olw
Monday, October 05, 2009
Explore Carroll columns on Gov Schwarzenegger and the Shriver family
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kembk
Life work of Sargent Shriver began in Westminster
Published November 12, 2008 by Westminster Eagle
... children, one of whom, Maria Owings Shriver, is married to another well-known national personality, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The program for the 1988 event listed Shriver's "unparalleled record of public service at the local, national ... ... http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/1548/life-work-sargent-shriver-began-westminster/ http://tinyurl.com/y94wvgj
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/e3qek
Shriver remembered for Special Olympics and also for a connection to Carroll
Published August 16, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... will also remember her as the mother of former NBC newscaster Maria Shriver; and the mother-in-law of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, it is through the Special Olympics that she will live on through the ages. ... ... http://explorecarroll.com/community/3295/shriver/
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger just began following me on Twitter. I took the opportunity to look up several columns that I have written in the past in which I have mentioned him in conjunction with the fact that his father-in-law, Sargent Shriver, grew-up in Westminster, MD.
I sent links to the above articles to him…
Related: http://twitpic.com/e3qek www.explorecarroll.com Shriver remembered for Special Olympics & also for connection to Carroll http://tinyurl.com/q25gf3 http://explorecarroll.com/community/3295/shriver/ http://tinyurl.com/q25gf3 Screenshot from the inspiring web site http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/
http://twitpic.com/kembk www.explorecarroll.com columns on Gov Schwarzenegger and Shriver family http://tinyurl.com/yeo94hb
Sunday, October 04, 2009
New history book on Westminster released by the Historical Society of Carroll County
New history book on Westminster released by the Historical Society of Carroll County: "Images of America: Westminster."
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kc3p5
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-history-book-on-westminster.html http://tinyurl.com/y8p7h9d
Newly released book on the City of Westminster now available at the The Shop at Cockey's This long awaited photographic history of Westminster is now available in the newly expanded museum shop and book store of the Historical Society of Carroll County. Images of America:Westminster, by Historical Society Curator of Collections Catherine Baty, features over 190 historic photographs of Westminster covering its growth from a small crossroad to a thriving city. The book can be found in The Shop at Cockey's for $21.99. Westminster joins Farming in Carroll County by Lyndi McNulty, which was released earlier this year. Also available are volumes on Carroll County, Taneytown and Sykesville. Society members receive a 10% discount on purchases in the shop. Call the Historical Society at 410-848-6494 or contact via e-mail at hscc@carr.org for addtional information. |
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-history-book-on-westminster.html http://tinyurl.com/y8p7h9d
http://twitpic.com/kc3p5 New history book on Westminster released by the Historical Society of Carroll County: "Images of America: Westminster." http://tinyurl.com/y8p7h9d
Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
http://twitpic.com/kc3p5 New Hist Soc Carroll Co history bk on Westminster rel’d "Images of Amer Westminster http://tinyurl.com/y8p7h9d
http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/204779677/http-twitpic-com-kc3p5-new-history-book-on
20090926 sdosm Images of America Westminster
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Drs. J. W. Hering and Ira Zepp, Sacred Places and Westminster City Hall
http://tinyurl.com/nfe522
Pictured above is Westminster City Hall MD around 1953. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/ddez2
The death of Dr. Ira G. Zepp has reminded me of one of my columns which was published in http://www.explorecarroll.com/ on July 25, 2008. Find it here: http://tinyurl.com/6yb23j or find the full story on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ here: http://tinyurl.com/krebky
The column was titled, “Westminster's sacred places are shrines of community life,” and it was about a 1981 book by Dr. Ira Zepp and Marty Lanham, "Sacred Spaces of Westminster."
Concurrently, another local historian and I were recently discussing the work, “Recollections,” by Dr. J. W. Hering, from the mid-1800s; which also brought me back to the same column.
I am working on re-posting the longer, unedited-for-word-length, draft of the July 2008 column, until then; here is an interesting tidbit about Westminster City Hall and Dr. Hering:
Westminster City Hall is considered by many to be one of the many sacred places in Carroll County.
Westminster purchased it from the estate of George W. Albaugh in September of 1939 for $11,000. After extensive renovations and improvements, without impairing the original features of the structure, the City offices were moved there from the old Westminster Fire Department building at 63 West Main Street, during the administration of Mayor Frank A. Myers.
Once, while attending a council meeting I looked around and imagined all the history that room and the building we now know as Westminster City Hall has seen since it was built in 1842 by Colonel John K. Longwell.
I wonder what it was like to have lived there right after it was built by Colonel Longwell...
Or what it would have been like to have been there in August 1863?
That was when, as Frederic Shriver Klein writes in “Just South of Gettysburg” that over forty prominent Westminster citizens were arrested by Union soldiers on the charge of “general disloyalty.”
Those arrested included Dr. Mathias, Dr. Trumbo, Dr. J. W. Hering, Colonel Longwell - and their wives.
According to “Recollections” by Dr. Hering, at Mrs. Longwell’s “trial” on August 27th, 1863, in Westminster, she was told that “among other things, you are charged with feeding the rebel soldiers…”
“Well,” she replied, “I did, I would feed a hungry dog who came to my house. I would even feed you, if you came to my house hungry.” At that, it is reported that Mrs. Longwell’s husband, Colonel Longwell, “nearly collapsed.” Reportedly, Mrs. Longwell subsequently took the oath of allegiance. Others, however, did not and were imprisoned at Ft. McHenry.
Meanwhile: find the column, as published… here: http://explorecarroll.com/community/411/westminsters-sacred-places-are-shrines-community-life/
Or here: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2008/07/westminsters-sacred-places-are-shrines.html
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Westminster High School in the 1920s
Westminster High School, Westminster, MD, in the 1920s
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/08/westminster-high-school-in-1920s.html
http://tinyurl.com/kmgez3
Catching with some old friends today, coupled with some recent reader questions, reminded me of a piece I wrote in March 2007 on the Westminster High School building on Longwell Avenue in Westminster.
The image above is from 1908, is the first Westminster High School building, 1898-1936, at Center and Green Street in Westminster, MD. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/d936f
This image is a 1977 picture of the second Westminster High School building, 1936-1971, at Longwell Avenue in Westminster, MD. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/d92z2
Westminster High School in the 1920s
March 28th, 2007 by (c) Kevin Dayhoff
East Middle School, located on Longwell Avenues just north of Westminster City Hall, originally opened as a new “Westminster High School” on November 30, 1936. It is one of two buildings in Carroll County built in the Art Deco style. The other is the Carroll Arts Center which opened as the Carroll Theatre on November 25, 1937.
Art Deco was all the rage from 1920 to 1940 but some argue that the style had a significant presence in architecture and art from 1900 to 1950. A highly decorative and elegant style, it was considered ultra-modern in its day.
The 1936 school building was not the “first” Westminster High School. The first was located at the corner of Green and Center Streets in Westminster and was built in 1898. By all accounts it was the first “public” high school built in Carroll County. It is accepted that the first “public” high school in Maryland started in Talbot County in 1871. By 1907 there were still only 35 public high schools in the entire state.
It was not too long after the 1898 structure was built that complaints began about the inadequacy of the physical plant. As with so many infrastructure improvements in Carroll County, getting a new high school built was fraught with a great deal of acrimony and dissent. In 1921, the Westminster High School yearbook, “The Mirror,” editorialized the increase in enrollment since 1898 with alarm. It had increased from “less than fifty” to over 260 students.
In those days the school housed all 11 grades. There were 7 students in the graduating class of May 1900. Compulsory school attendance was not passed into law until 1916; however, Lisa Kronman reported in an account entitled a “History of Public Schools in Westminster,” “the attendance rate was 93.8 percent of school age children.”
The Mirror lamented “we have seen the school out-grow its surroundings. The present building and equipment are entirely inadequate to the needs of the school…” The editorial explained dire consequences would result if the school were not replaced quickly. Of course, “quickly” in Carroll County took another 15 years.
According to historian Jay Graybeal, there were 139 schools in Carroll County in 1920. 107 had only one teacher. There were approximately 7500 students and 208 teachers. 158 of the teachers were female and only 9 were married as marriage was strongly discouraged for the county’s female teachers. As a matter of fact, a resolution, passed by the school board in the 1928 – 1929 school year, barred female teachers from getting married unless a special exception was granted.
Mr. Graybeal explained that high school teachers were paid an average $903.70 and “elementary teachers in white and black schools had average salaries of $537.85 and $431.87 respectively… Teachers who had served twenty-five years, reached the age of sixty, were no longer able to continue their duties in the schoolroom, and had no other means of comfortable support received $200 per annum” from a state financed pension system.
In 1920, the Carroll County public school budget was $204,000 and the school administration was a staff of four; Superintendent Maurice S. H. Unger, Miss L. Jewell Simpson, Supervisor; G. C. Taylor, Attendance Officer and Charles Reed, Clerk. In 1916, the state board of education was run by three individuals.
The Union Bridge Pilot reported on February 18, 1921: “Teachers' pay are being withheld owing in lack of funds and it appears the county has reached the limit of its credit.”
It is in this air, atmosphere, and environment that the county unsuccessfully tried three times, May 15th, 1922, September 26, 1927, and April 3, 1934, to get the voters to approve bond bills for roads and schools – to include a new Westminster High School.
E-mail him at: kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com r visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/
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http://twitpic.com/d936f 1st Westminster High Sch bldg 1898-1936 Full story: http://tinyurl.com/kmgez3
20090808 sdsom