From Bath High School Preservation

On Jan. 14, Bath High School Preservation celebrated two long-awaited milestones in the life of the organization and its quest to rehabilitate the old Bath High School building into valuable and usable space for Bath and its greater community.

Pirate Hall, a space adjacent to the Bath Community Library, now completed in its entirety, was dedicated along with the Memorial Walkway, which is intended to memorialize alumni, friends and supporters of Bath High School and its renovation.

More than 100 people gathered to share in the dedication and reception that marked another well-earned benchmark in this restoration project.

Ruth Dorkin, president of BHSP, served as mistress of ceremonies for the dedication. She recognized Geri Lassiter, liaison with Grady-White Boats, the company that generously helped to fund the Pirate Hall project.

Dorkin spoke of the progress being made, but she also reminded listeners of the “position of pride that this old building held in Bath, its surrounding community, and the much broader community served by its school district.”

Dorkin said the pride and honor of the building comes from the “people who were its family: its administrators, teachers, students and supporting family and community.”

Others in attendance were: Mayor Jimmy Latham; Josie Hookway, representing the Historic Bath Commission; and Jerry Waters, speaking for the Historic Bath Foundation.

Pirate Hall is staged to represent both its appeal as a rental space for receptions and gatherings of all kinds, as well as its potential as a gallery space. Jill Jones and Linda Poore, with the assistance of members of BHSP, provided and displayed many forms of artwork for the occasion. Jimmy Taylor shared many of pictures of local lore from his collection of life in Bath. June Wallace also shared much of her artwork depicting the history of Bath High School.

Many other works of area artists were on display: artwork and fused glass by Chip Shackelford; a nautical display by Jim McCurdey; old photos of Bayview; an oil canvas by Juliet Barrus, among others.

Guests also spent much time “finding their names” on the memorial walkway, as well as names of family members and classmates.

The occasion was a fitting conclusion to the months of planning and hard work that led to the completion of Pirate Hall.

BHSP would like to thank the many people who attended the occasion and the many people who had a part in fulfilling this part of the dream. Many other projects are on the planning table, and we encourage any who are interested to become a part of this organization and the tasks that lie ahead.