New location sought for Rockland school memories
ROCKLAND – For 14 years, old Rockland school-related memorabilia have resided in a classroom in the old Rockland High School on Lincoln Street. The most recent donation, a large diploma, settled in only four months ago. Now, however, the items are being removed, buried away in storage.
Until now, the collection’s keeper, Ben Perry, has enjoyed rent-free space in the Lincoln Arts Center, which began as the Rockland High School in 1868, changed it’s focus to Rockland Junior High, and then erased its chalkboards for the final time around 1995 as the Rockland District Middle School.
In mid-June, Perry received word that the building owners want to provide the space to paying tenants. With a contract end date of July 31, Perry and his 150 years of artifacts now seek a new, rent-free location.
“I want people to be able to see this collection,” Perry said. “But, I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to end up in storage somewhere and nobody will care.”
With the Rockland Historical Society tight on space, Perry is seeking a new location for his specific collection.
Since Summer 2004, he’s opened his Alumni Room to people, mostly upon request, but with at least one open house, as well. Those who visited were usually older folks looking for mention of bygone relatives.
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The year Rockland High School changed from being the Tigers to being the Mariners, several members of the class of 1954 held a funeral. One classmate made a small coffin. Ben Perry, himself, inserted the toy tiger, and the local funeral home transported the casket to the school.
“And then we had a service down in the gym,” Perry said. “A memorial service.”
In attendance were a few representatives from Perry’s class, members of the general public, and other former graduates.
Pallbearers carried the box, and a photographer recorded the event.
Perry maintains that younger generations, from the 1960s to present, have no interest in the “early years.”
Yet, Ann Morris, curator for the Rockland Historical Society, can imagine interweaving local educational curriculum with Perry’s historical items.
As elementary school students in the fifth grade are required to learn Maine history, Morris suggested even tasking students with organizing a museum space at South School. Once arranged, the students could practice leading tours. They could also invite a grandparent or elderly acquaintance to come record personal stories.
Workers in tourism are paid approximately $8 per hour, according to Morris.
“Museum people are paid professional salaries,” she said. “And, what if a kid became interested in becoming a museum curator?”
As of Thursday, July 12, Perry has transported three pickup truck-loads of items to a storage unit. He estimates that he’ll haul away up to five more loads before he’s done, and not all will fit in the storage unit.
But, he’ll try.
“It’s a labor of love to keep the memories alive of those who attended those schools,” he said.
Anyone with storage space to house historical items may reach Perry at 207-354-0582.
Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com
