“The Story of Our Schools and Eastern High School Unveil Exhibit Detailing 100 Years of School History”

photos courtesy Story of Our Schools

From a press release:

“The Story of Our Schools and Eastern High School are proud to present “100 Years of Eastern High School” as part of the school’s 100th anniversary celebration. The exhibit features a replica of the Greensboro Four lunch counter, where civil rights activist and Eastern Alum, Franklin McCain, staged the famous sit-in, as well as a photographic timeline that honors Eastern’s academic, athletic, and creative accomplishments over the last 100 years.

In the fall of 2022, a group of Eastern students led by Ellen Dodsworth undertook a project to celebrate their East Capitol Street building’s centennial anniversary. Using information collected from local archives and oral histories from alumni, the exhibit describes the school community that developed over the past hundred years. In addition, each student selected a focus area to further explore by creating a mini-documentary film. Their films, displayed in the exhibit, create a digital archive that can be added to for years to come.

“We are honored to have partnered with Eastern High School leadership and students on this project ,” said The Story of Our Schools Executive Director, Jennifer Harris. “With the support from the alumni community, we were able to give the exhibit an authentic voice by detailing the history of those who live it.”

Originally named Capitol Hill High School at its founding as a school for White students in 1890, by 1923 the school had been renamed and moved to its current location. Racial integration was mandated by the Supreme Court in 1954 and approximately half of Eastern’s 1,900 students were Black. A group of White Eastern students assembled outside the school to protest the school’s new integration policy and within a few years after integration, Eastern’s student body had shifted from all White to all Black.

As the Civil Rights Movement surged nationally, some students began to speak out about low achievement scores, poor lunchroom food standards, and dissatisfaction with Eastern’s leadership and curriculum. A group of 20-40 students formed the Modern Strivers when they saw a need for coursework that reflected the Black experience and Black culture. This willingness to stand-up and advocate for improvements persists through today with Eastern students creating classroom projects to shine light on issues of human rights–LGBTQ inclusion and systemic racism, White supremacy, and police brutality.

“It is my hope this exhibit allows future generations of Eastern students to be inspired by the Ramblers who came before them, adding their own remarkable chapters to our school history,” said Steve Miller, Eastern Principal.

Eastern High School boasts a strong alumni network that features many who went on to become professional athletes, entertainers, actors, and musicians.”