-Information courtesy the HHS Class of 1968 Reunion Committee and Mayor Eddie Ellington’s “Remember Henderson High School Day” written proclamation
It’s gone by several names since first completed, but for the graduating Class of 1968, the building located at 219 Charles Street in Henderson will always be fondly remembered as Henderson High School (HHS).
After 82 years of educating Vance County students, the HHS building, also formerly known as Henderson Junior High School and, most recently, Henderson Middle School (HMS), will be closed and sold. The closure is due to the Vance County Board of Education’s recent decision to consolidate HMS with rival Eaton-Johnson Middle School to form the newly named Vance County Middle School.
Front of the building formerly known as Henderson High School, Henderson Junior High School and Henderson Middle School – 219 Charles Street, Henderson. (Photo WIZS)
With the closing of their “alma mater” coinciding with their upcoming 50th reunion, the HHS Bulldogs Class of ’68 are planning a school tour for ALL former HHS students on Saturday, August 18, 2018, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
In a written statement, the HHS Class of 1968 Reunion Committee explained their reason for organizing the tour, “We want to acknowledge the beautiful architectural structure and the impact the building and grounds have had on the people of Henderson.”
The Corbitt/City of Henderson Museum, 180 Church St., Henderson, will also be open from 9 – 11 a.m. on August 18 and is available for touring. The museum includes photographs, memorabilia and historical information about Henderson and Corbitt vehicles, which were manufactured from 1899 to 1954.
In honor of the importance of this event, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington has officially declared August 18, 2018, as “Remember Henderson High School Day.”
In his written proclamation, Ellington declares the HHS Class of ’68 the largest – with 180 graduates – and last graduating class before a fire “that was believed to have started in the Home Economics area” forced the school to close. The building was repaired and reopened in 1971 as Henderson Junior High School.
Ellington’s proclamation also provides several historical facts regarding HHS including the tidbit that the school opened in 1936 to 360 students. The first principal was W.D. Payne and in 1942, both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won the Golden Belt Championship.
The HHS Class of ’68 Committee invites you to join them in touring the school and local museums on August 18 and to make “wonderful new memories.”
If you have questions regarding the reunion or tours, please contact Jackie Greenway by email at cheyenne42@nc.rr.com (include HHS reunion in the subject line).
*WIZS would love for you to share your own memories of HHS. Please comment on this post via our Facebook page.