John Hay Benefit Raises $15,000 for Murals     

Nearly 700 alumni, guests, volunteers and student performers saw firsthand the beautiful renovation of Cleveland’s historic John Hay High School on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Back to School: A first look at the new John Hay, the Cleveland Restoration Society’s annual benefit. The event highlighted the spectacular renovation of the historic school and showcased the building’s magnificent interiors, including two Works Progress Administration-era murals, painted by Cleveland artist Clarence Carter. Guests enjoyed live music and dance performed by Cleveland Municipal School District students as they toured the building, viewed memorabilia from alumni and bid on tempting silent auction items. During a presentation in the school’s ornate auditorium, the Society commended the District for renovating this unique and valuable cultural treasure for future generations of Cleveland children. The magnificent, sky-lit cafeteria on the third floor was the site of the evening finale, an elegant, sit-down dinner.

The benefit was the Society’s most successful ever, raising over $55,000 for the Society’s historic preservation programs, and an additional $15,000 for the restoration of John Hay’s murals. While this amount is short of the $80,000 needed to fund a total restoration of the murals, the increased visibility and appreciation as a result of the benefit will assist the District in raising the remaining funds.

Each year, the Society’s benefit highlights a significant cultural treasure in Northeast Ohio. The Cleveland Restoration Society 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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