Vernon Historical Society Exhibit To Celebrate Rockville HS History

VERNON, CT — At look at Rockville High School through the years will be the topic of a new Vernon Historical Society exhibit and program.

Rockville High School turned 150 years old in 2020. Historical Society officials said they had planned to stage an exhibit and lecture to commemorate the milestone, but as historical society museum director Jean Luddy put it, "Covid happened" and the efforts were temporarily shelved.

"So this year we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first graduating class of Rockville High School," Luddy said. "The year 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the first graduating class of Rockville High School."

To celebrate the history of RHS, an exhibit and lecture at the Society will be presented
by Luddy. The exhibit is scheduled to open on May 21 with an event from 2 to 4 p.m. at the society’s building at 734 Hartford Turnpike. RHS students, past and present and all members of the public are welcome to attend, Luddy said.

The exhibit will include displays with information about the history of the high school at
its four locations.

The first (1870 to 1893). The first high school was torn down in the 1930s. It was built in 1848 as the first school for students in Rockville. At one time grammar school and high school students were in the same building. This school stood where the parking lot is now for the central office.:

The second (1893 to 1925), which now serves as the central office complex for the Vernon public school system):

The third (1925 to 1959), which is now Rockville Superior Court:

The current RHS building (shown in 1959):

A narrative timeline will provide highlights on various aspects of "the high school experience." Visitors will be able to view photographs, uniforms and educational objects from the society's our collection.

The exhibit will remain in place until the fall of 2023 and can be visited when the society is open to the public.

On June 11 at 2 p.m., Luddy will present an illustrated lecture on the high school, while discussing the growth of secondary education in Rockville and Vernon.

She tells us that, as the economy evolved during the Industrial Revolution and into the Information Age, town residents recognized that a high school "with a well-equipped building and diverse curriculum" was necessary to prepare students for their futures.

The lecture will include photographs and stories of students over the years.

"While certain events of high school life are unique to each class of students, there is a timeless aspect to the experience of high school that resonates with all students past and present," Luddy said.

Luddy’s program will begin after a very short business meeting at 2 p.m.