The South Huntington school district unveiled its Heritage Room this week, highlighting the district’s history, students and accomplishments.
The room at the district headquarters on Weston Street features an interactive screen that allows users to look up past classes, history and photos. Photos of some of West Hills’ most famous sons, poet Walt Whitman, Henry Stimson, who served as secretary of war and secretary of state under three presidents, and Silas Wood, a 19th Century congressman. The walls include clippings from the Long-Islander newspaper about the establishment of the school district in 1924, the sale of Central School and other historical markers.
The district turns 100 years old next year.
Deputy superintendent and interim Walt Whitman High School principal John Murphy said the room reflects the diversity and talent of the district. “100 years is a blink, and we look to add more to this room,” he said. Someone can come into this room tomorrow or 50 years from now and see what life was like. They’ll be able to remember the teachers who changed their lives or the events that shaped them.”
School board president Nick Ciappetta said the renovated room would serve as meeting space, and thanked the members of the public relations team, Lea Tyrrell, Thomas Ciravolo and Liz DeMonte, who located and assembled the photos and coordinated the displays. The district worked with Stephanie Gotard, executive director at the Huntington Historical Society, on the project.
State Assemblyman Steve Stern and former Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci, who also served on the school board and as a state assemblyman, were on hand to celebrate. Ciappetta said Stern was instrumental in obtaining funds for the room and other school aid.