New Britain herald., 1928-12-29
FRIENDLY GHOSTS
HAUNT old L. 5.
Alumni Regret Razine Of Gym,
Basium and Auditorium

This week two of New Britain's
greatest institutions passed on to
eternity--the auditorium and GYM
nasium OF the New Britain Senior
High school which are being razeo
as part of the building program in
connection with the construction OF
the new addition on Bassett street,
Back in the late COS when the
academic building of the school
was constructed, people were great
ly impressed with the new gym
nasium and auditorium which stood
in the rear OF the building. The
building was OF three stories, but
The gymnasium and auditorium oc-
cupied all the space from the first
floor to the roof in the rear.
The gymnasium. though small.
was considered one OF the most pic
turesque in the state. The auditorl-
UNI was large enough to take cars
OF the schools enrolment which az
that time Mas less than 500. As
time went on the enrolment IN
creased and in recent years the au-
iitorium has not been large enough
50 II has been necessary to have
the school assemblies divided.
Called "Bowling Alley"
The gymnasium, once the proud
wel-eauipped hall which could be
used satisfactorily for either pas
ke,ban game or a dance was hotn-
mo hut a shell of its former sell
toward the end. 1t was ridiculea
and referred to as the bowling al
lev" Out of town teams coming
here used to consider themselves
asteated even before the game
started because OF the so-caileo
.,rick" floor and over haf~ns
beams. h
The New Britain High school pas-
ketball team won many games On
that floor. Last year one OF the
baskets had the most accomihooa'-
in, way OF bending forward ana
gathering the ball into ITS he.'ins
when /, seemed as if the sphere
VA. going to bound out after II MI
the rim. 1t was impossible 70 a'cf'
the ball or 1t would come IN con-
tact with the ceiling.
But there was a day when ,he
old high xym was not the laugh'ns
stock Of the town. 1t was IN tne
good old days when it was the scene
~ more than one good basketpai'
contest. Men who have since maze
their mark in the business world or
IN the professions remembered Inc
dav. when they either leaned over
the old iron railing and cheered inc
teams or when they were down OH
the floor doing their best for aima
mater.
Senior promenades, junior prom
enades, freshmen's receptions, class
day, senior banquet and all the
other socials at the school are old
traditions at the school. They were
held in the gymnasium. ...
When the gymnasium was still
new it was not necessary to deco
rate 1t but Of recent years it did not
appSlr like a ball room.
More than one boy or girl took
his first step into society, more
than one social lion of the present
time was a bashful boy who stood
along the sidelines wondering II it
was possible that girl would dance
with him. These Incidents occurred
during the afternoon dances. the
prices Of which varied according to
the times. Once the dance cost a
nickle, later 1t was a dime, and of
late years it has cost quarter, but
whatever 1t cost the boys and somN
times the girls did not have 1t
ate-crashing'' was the result.
Then there was the junior prom
enade and the senior promenade.
The boys who were Just stepping
out to their first real big time we're
there and their hands were their
creates. trouble. They put them in
front OF them. behind them, In their
pockets, folded their arms and then
rub their hands
On the reception line were found
Principal Slade and several MEM
bers of the faculty together with
the officers. Blushing and self
conscious the officers would greet
their fellow school mates who were
equally self-conscious.
Famous Auditnrium
The greatest event in the lifetime
of most people is their graduatic',
from high school. Many graduation.
have been held and there were
many diplomas presented from ths
stage Of the auditorium but when
the class Of June, 1928, was given
diplomas little did they know that
they were the last class which
would walk across the stage and be
given the most-coveted prize the
school can offer.
On no solemn an occa sion as a
high school graduation there have
been many amusing incidentc. On
enc occasion a boy who was to be
graduated was Just a year and a
half behind his own class and he
was much older than his fellow
graduates.
The speaker. member OF the
school board, brought out the idea
that when the graduate comes I'D
the left stairs OF the auditorium
stage to get his diploma he is a boy
but when he receives the parch-
ment and goes down the other
stairs he is a man.
The class passed up the stairs
nd down the other stairs success.
fully until his turn came toward
lie end of the line. His name was
called and the entire class applaud.
I'd generously because of the fac,
that he was finally being graduated
He managed to get up the len