Back to School: A First Look at the New John Hay High School

A Benefit for the Cleveland Restoration Society
Location: John Hay High School, 2075 Stokes Boulevard & Carnegie, Cleveland
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2006
Time: 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Be the first to see the new John Hay! The Cleveland Restoration Society’s Annual Benefit at this historic school building on Saturday, April 29, 2006 will welcome John Hay alumni and the community at large into the spectacularly renovated John Hay High School, 2075 Stokes Boulevard and Carnegie Avenue, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The evening will offer an opportunity to visit with fellow alumni, tour John Hay’s newly renovated facilities, and mingle with the Society’s Board of Trustees, staff, and other guests while helping to raise much-needed funds for the Society’s historic preservation programs. Proceeds will be shared with John Hay to help complete the restoration of two murals located in the building’s grand foyer.

When John Hay reopens for the 2006-2007 school year, it will be the first renovated Cleveland Municipal School District building that preserves its historic character, meets green building standards and is fully equipped for learning in the 21st century. Plans call for the building to house three small schools: the district’s Early College program, the School of Science and Medicine, and the School of Architecture and Design. Each school will have its own space on separate floors, while students will share space for core curriculum classes. The magnificently renovated auditorium and a new library on the first floor will be accessible to the community from an outside entrance.

The benefit will help raise funds for the restoration of two Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals painted by Clarence Holbrook Carter in 1938-39, located in John Hay’s grand foyer. Several of the renovation projects at John Hay require funding with local dollars because they do not qualify for state funding under the Ohio School Facilities Commission guidelines. Many older schools contain historic artwork, decorative detailing, and separate auditoriums, which are among the items ineligible for state funding.

The benefit is made possible through the generous support of The Cleveland Clinic. Since 1921, the Clinic has provided world-class health care to Cleveland and beyond. In 1989, John Hay High School and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation formed a partnership to provide students with learning opportunities in preparation for college and a career in the health fields. Additional support is provided by Richard L. Bowen & Associates, Inc., Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and OHGR Group.

Self-guided tours of the building, an on-line and on-site silent auction, performances by Cleveland school students in the historic auditorium and throughout the building, cocktails and dinner will be part of the program. The Society’s on-line auction runs from March 15 - April 26, 2006 at www.crs-johnhay.cmarket.com. To purchase tickets or receive additional information about the benefit, contact the Cleveland Restoration Society at 216-426-1000 or visit www.clevelandrestoration.org.

The Cleveland Restoration Society/Preservation Resource Center of Northeastern Ohio is the region’s largest non-profit preservation organization and is a Local Partner affiliate of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Founded in 1972, the Society is dedicated to the preservation of Greater Cleveland’s historic resources.

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