The Swampscott Historical Commission recently held its seventh exhibition at ReachArts, highlighting artifacts that celebrate the town’s school history. The exhibit, organized as Swampscott prepares to open a new elementary school, offered a look back at the town’s educational legacy, according to commission chair Nancy Schultz.
The artifacts, collected over two years, were arranged to mimic a traditional schoolroom, complete with mint-green walls reminiscent of classrooms from the 1950s and 1960s. The display featured items salvaged from local schools such as Hadley and Stanley, as well as artifacts donated by community members.
Among the notable pieces was a 1929 tri-use coat, umbrella, and hat rack from the Stanley School cloakroom, which Vice Chair Jonathan Leamon described as one of his favorite items. Schultz highlighted a 1959 telephone booth from the Stanley School as a particularly meaningful artifact.
“We really appreciate the interest that this exhibition is generating,” Schultz told attendees during a speech alongside Leamon, who shared historical insights on education in Swampscott. He noted that the town’s first school, purchased from Marblehead in 1814, was moved into Swampscott by oxen. “We’ve come a long way since then, with wonderful schools to complement the wonderful teaching that happens in Swampscott,” Leamon said.
Leamon also expressed gratitude to several community members, including Max Kasper, Gino Cresta Jr., Jackson Schultz, Marzie Galazka, Kasey Williams, Ethan Runstadler, Mary Shapiro, and Brendan Bradley, as well as those who donated artifacts, for their contributions to the exhibition.
The exhibit will remain on display at Reed Arts for the next 11 months.
