75th Anniversary of Charles Sumner School–Those were the days…

The Knights of Columbus Hall in Roslindale recently hosted a gala dinner program to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Charles Sumner School. Food was provided by the Outback Steakhouse, with music and dancing to the sounds of Ty dePass. It was a delightful evening for many teachers and former students of the school.

The original Charles Sumner School was located on Ashland Street (now Cummins Highway,) in the spot now occupied by the United States Post Office. In 1931, the Sumner School was renamed the Anne Hutchinson School and a new Charles Sumner, designed by Dana Somes, was built in it’s current location at 15 Basile Street.

I attended the Sumner from kindergarten until the 6th grade and graduated with the class of 1949. I sat in the first row, first seat all through school because I was the smallest in class. I”ll never forget taking my first sewing class and making a gingham apron, all hand stitched. I have fond memories of many of my teachers, including Miss Macomber, who taught 1st grade, Miss Dunn, who taught 2nd grade, Mr. Pine, who was my 6th grade teacher, Miss O’Keefe and Miss Butler.

The oldest alum in attendance at the gala was Bill Lannon, 89, who went to the original Sumner. Bill gave a delightful talk, reminiscing about his days at the Charles Sumner on Ashland Street.

Micheal Contompasis was honored as a distinguished alumnus. Other alums in attendance, many of whom will be instantly recognizable to long-time Rossie residents, included Beverly Basile, whose father built the homes on Basile Street, and Mary Pagliarulo, whose parents had a bakery on Washington Street and used to hand out bread to Sumner students on their way home from school.

Ah, those were the days.

Read more about Charles Sumner

Other Links:  75th Anniversary

Posted by: Rona Cronin on May 30, 2007
Filed Under Roslindale 

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