As we celebrate and commemorate the 30th anniversary of our graduation at Andrew Warde High School, this year is significant for another reason. It was 50 years ago this September that Fairfield opened a second public high school. This year marks the golden anniversary of Warde High School!
Roger Ludlowe High School, the town's charter secondary school, was originally located in what is now Tomlinson Middle School on Unquowa Road. According to the school's Web site, "In 1952 due to crowded conditions, it was necessary to hold two sessions of school. This arrangement continued until June, 1956. In September of that same year, a second high school, Andrew Warde Senior High, was opened."
Four years later, 1962, marked the last year Roger Ludlowe High School existed as a high school on the old Brown property. Mill Plain School, down the road, was converted to a senior high school retaining the name of Roger Ludlowe High School. In 1986, the school was closed when the town consolidated both Warde and Ludlowe into Fairfield High School at the Warde site. The RLHS building eventually became Roger Ludlowe Middle School in 1998 when the town opened a third public middle school but still had only one public high school at the Warde site.
The first high school in Fairfield became Tomlinson Junior High School, named after Gideon Tomlinson, one of the most prominent residents of Fairfield. He served as a member of Congress, Governor of Connecticut, and a U.S. Senator. He graduated from Yale in 1802 and settled in Greenfield Hill to practice law.
Now, 50 years after opening the town's second public secondary school on Melville Avenue, Warde High School is still going strong. The campus and facilities have undergone renovations, and it looks better than ever. Fellow 1976 alum Jeff Roseman is proud of the school and the work he and others did to design and renovate the campus. He wrote the following on our class reunion Web site:
"One of my most rewarding accomplishments has been my work for the Town of Fairfield and the Board of Education. Along with some very talented people, our team helped design and manage the renovation and construction of four schools. Obviously, the Warde project was very special to me, and at times it seemed like I spent more time there during its renovation than I did as a student. I hope everyone will have a chance to see the new Fairfield Warde High School. A brand new synthetic playing field, a spectacular music wing, media center and a new look for each house. Take the time and stop by for a visit."
My son and I will be at the school this weekend to take in a performance of Seussical: the Musical, presented by the Fairfield Teen Players, in the school auditorium. Performances are Friday and Saturday, August 4, 5, 11, and 12, at 8 p.m. and a matinee this Sunday, August 6, at 2 p.m. If you're in the area, take in the show and enjoy the beautiful campus and auditorium.
I spent an entire afternoon at the school in May taking photographs inside and outside for the class reunion Web site. I'm proud to say I'm a graduate of Andrew Warde High School.
Happy anniversary!
Paul
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