West Seattle weekend scene: Fauntleroy Schoolhouse centennial ‘group hug’

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Thanks to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for sharing the “group hug” photo by Jean Sherrard from today’s centennial celebration at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse! The building housed Fauntleroy Elementary School until 1981 and is now home to Fauntleroy Children’s Center on the north end, The Hall at Fauntleroy on the south end, and other community organizations and small businesses inbetween. Watch for video from today’s celebration on the SWSHS website soon.

P.S. Next chance to be in a photo like this is another centennial – West Seattle High School is also celebrating its 100th anniversary, and this year’s All-School Reunion will include a “group hug” photo – 6:30 pm (gather at 6) Saturday, June 3rd – more info here.

Linda Cox May 22, 2017 (12:01 am)

Clay Eals is a genius. He has done an incredible number of promotions for various groups including nonprofits to support the SW Historical Society.

Woodsman May 22, 2017 (7:35 am)

It was a well planned event by everyone . I loved seeing all my friends. It was so good to meet the Whitaker twins and hear their story’s . Fantastic time!

A special thank you to Clay Eals!

Woodsman

Clay Eals May 22, 2017 (11:31 am)

Thanks for the kind words. If there is any genius involved, it is in collaborating with an amazing constellation of Fauntleroy-based groups and individuals, all dedicated for decades to keeping this neighborhood jewel — the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse — alive for 100 years and, we hope, for a second hundred. Not long from now, our Southwest Seattle Historical Society website will display video and photos of Sunday’s wonderful event, which will include ceremonial remarks that detail the building’s and event’s various constituencies. You also will be able to see footage of the speeches of Robert Skotheim and Jim and Lou Whittaker, as well as individual interviews of Fauntleroy alums. This is possible because of the dedication of historical-society volunteers Brad Chrisman, Klem Daniels, Trish Cosgrove and Gail Wodzin. Shout-outs also go to Pacific Rim Equipment Rental and Live Oak Audio Visual. A special thank-you to volunteer Jean Sherrard, who has contributed his photographic magic to our Group Hugs since 2013. One final flabbergasting fact: the committee that put on Sunday’s Fauntleroy Centennial Celebration began work on it five years ago (no typo). That represents unparalleled commitment and heart. It has been an honor for our organization to have served as a co-sponsor.

Clay Eals, executive director, Southwest Seattle Historical Society

Marty May 22, 2017 (2:28 pm)

The old school still has the same faint musty smell it had when I left in 1960. You could have blindfolded me and taken me inside and I would have known where I was.

Vicki Schmitz-Block May 22, 2017 (10:44 pm)

What an amazing and fun event for the ages………………….100 years as a school building in our neighborhood of Fauntleroy! It was a Seattle Public School until 1980 when the school district closed Fauntleroy Elementary School and Briarcliff Elementary School on Magnolia, and others. The Fauntleroy Community rallied to save the school buidling and keep it operational.

The Fauntleroy community acted quickly to place a preschool program in the building – the Fauntleroy Childrens Center preschool program and to find other tenants to rent spaces in the building, in order for the building to remain operational and of benefit to this community. Some of the key leaders in his effort were Dr. Larry Pierce, Roberta Weeks,Kim Sheridan and many others. Kim Sheridan was hired as the First Executive Director/Principal in 1980. (More to follow tomorrow)

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