THE ECKSTEIN SCHOOL INTRODUCTION
We hope this exhibit (from 2011) highlighting the history of the Eckstein School in Glendale will increase your understanding of the role the Eckstein School played both in the lives of the children who attended the school, and in the community that surrounded it. Most students have fond memories of their school days and express affection and pride for the school and the education they received.
For those who attended Eckstein School or have family members who attended the school we hope this exhibit does justice not only to your memories, but to the teachers, parents, and community members who, despite the limited resources, did so much to ensure that the students were encouraged to have high academic standards, big dreams, and exemplary conduct.
While this trip down memory lane highlights the good times shared, the academic achievements of the students, and the close community ties of the Eckstein neighborhood, we should not forget that this was a segregated school. The Negro children attended a separate school that was not equal in building quality or in resources to those available at the Congress Avenue School.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students who shared their experiences with us, without them this exhibit would not have been possible.
After consultation with former Eckstein students we have selected to use the word Negro throughout this exhibit. They believe this to be the most appropriate word as it is in keeping with the historical context and time period of the exhibit. Glendale Heritage Preservation
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Glendale Heritage Preservation would like to thank members of the community and the alumni of Eckstein School for their valuable contributions of information, photographs, and artifacts for this exhibit. Without your cooperation the Eckstein exhibit would not have been possible. Special thanks go to:
Clyde Cooper The Parrish family, especially Charles, Geraldine and Kevin
Lillian Griffith, Camilla Steward and the Ole School Reunion Committee
Beth Ecker and the Princeton Archival Museum
Betty Francis
George Hall
Raymond Terrell
Solitary Reminiscence
Last evening as I sat in my quiet room, I was all alone except for thoughts that wove vaguely through my mind. For some reason, I know not why, my thoughts began to dwell upon the days I spent in “dear old Eckstein.”
Softly, as if someone was trying to whisper, I heard Miss Medley’s voice no, Mr. Kelly’s no, Miss Burgess’ no, I know not whose voice, but it seemed to say, “Have you forgotten Eckstein?”
Those happy days that you spent frolicking around the school, like a fawn who had just strayed from his mother? Come now, don’t you remember the day George put a tack on the teacher’s chair? How you laughed at that! I can see you haven’t forgotten. Or perhaps you don’t remember the time you got a whipping for slamming the school… Oh, but you do! I can tell by the smile on your face. Then, the whipping made you angry, but now you understand and are amused by it.
The time you graduated, weren’t you frightened? Your knees knocking together so hard I could hardly hear what you were saying. And after the program was over, you no longer were a student of Eckstein. You left us like an adventurer, not knowing, but caring, what the future would bring. We all wished you good luck, and shed our tears in private, for we were going to miss that little girl.”
It seemed so real that when mother called me I could hardly recognize her voice. Of course it was imagination, but I can’t help wondering whose voice that was.
Author Unknown (Glendale Monitor December 1943)