People in Greenfield, Ohio are waking up this morning with a nagging question on their minds.
Who was that blond in the black shirt at alumni yesterday? She looked familiar but no one knew her.
That’s because I more or less crashed their alumni day just to see inside their gorgeous high school. To be fair, the high school open house was open to the public but it was a sea of people with name tags like – “Bill, Class of 62” and Shannon, Class of 94.”
One of them seemed to think he knew me and struck up a conversation. I’m a little ashamed to say that I didn’t confess to being a tourist. Honestly, I was having such a fun time I hated to out myself!
What brought me to this place?
My lovely reader Christine Lewis recommended that I take a tour of Greenfield’s McClain High School. She said that it’s a beautiful old building filled with artwork and she said it is the kind of place I would enjoy.
Christine was not wrong. This place is like no high school I’ve ever seen. It is magnificent.
Built in 1914, this brick three story behemoth was a gift to the community from inventor and industrialist Edward Lee McClain.
The building resembles an art museum with its marble staircase, murals, statues and hundreds of works of art in seemingly every nook and cranny.
The wood floors are almost blindingly shiny and the light is stunning.
The pool was built in 1923 and is believed to be the oldest high school pool still in use. The theater has a balcony that overlooks a large stage, pipe organ and gorgeous friezes that line the side walls.
The water fountains! Oh, how I loved them. They are backed by Rookwood tile from Cincinnati’s Over-The-Rhine neighborhood.
And the library! The library is anchored by two large murals and lined with busts of influential classic writers and paintings that depict them.
The old card catalog is no longer in use but it’s still there.
Plus, they still have the old bell system. I really liked this space.
Not to mention, the classrooms are pretty fabulous too.
I learned some things about Mr. McClain but my favorite factoid is that he built this school for all high school students in the community. There was no mention of race, religion, nationality or anything else. This school was integrated in 1914 – a full fifty years before most in southern Ohio.
What a gift to the community – not just the building but all it stood for in terms of equality and even access to beauty and art in a rural community where museums would not be easily accessible.
One thing I noticed is that they have done a nice job of keeping up with the times while honoring the integrity of the history and the artistry of this place. For example, the classrooms still have the original wood framed chalk boards. They also have white boards and technology tools that make the classrooms functional and modern.
The place buzzed with people surrounding the various alumni activities but I managed to find some quiet spaces. Those spaces felt different. They felt solemn and important. Those quiet places with dim light and antique features felt sacred. It felt like a cathedral of learning and I hope the students who get to learn there appreciate their surroundings.
I never would have known to go without Christine’s tip and I am grateful that she thought of me. If you ever get a chance to tour McClain High School – GO. You won’t regret it.
I am so HAPPY that you got to see the school! I saw some photos posted on-line and I looked for “a mystery girl”…you must have been very careful to shy away from those pesky people trying to take your picture :>) I did not go to school at McClain, but my husband did. I love the idea of those people trying to figure out who you were! (I have always wanted to crash a big family reunion, join them for a picnic, then leave, and let them wonder who I was related to.)
Loved your photos….you certainly captured the essence of the place!
Haha. It was so much fun. The one guy that tried to talk to me was hilarious. He said “Hey! How’ve you been? Long time, right?” Poor guy. I should have come clean but really was having too much fun.
I never would have had this experience without you. Thanks for the tip!!
Reunion season is in full swing. There’s still time to check that off the bucket list this year!
I especially like the photos of the marble stairs and also the lone statue at the top of a stair way.
Oh my gosh. THAT spot with the statue and the stairway was one of my favorites. It’s just outside the door to the auditorium balcony and there was no one else around. I wanted to just stand and absorb the quiet and the weight of the history.
I graduated from McClain. I haven’t lived in the community for a long time, but I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say : we love for people to see our school. I’m glad you liked it.
It is beautiful! Something I didn’t mention in this story is that they had students available to give tours and to answer questions. I was impressed with those young people and their enthusiasm for their school! Thanks for stopping by and for sharing!
My husband is a Greenfield McClain alumni! I remember visiting the school several years ago, what an amazing place! Your words and photos have captured it perfectly!! 💗
It’s like a beautiful museum! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Such a great article!! I graduated from McClain and I am so proud of my school.
You have every reason to be proud. It’s gorgeous! Plus, you have some great young people too. There were polite and helpful students available to give tours and answer questions that day. It was wonderful!
Wow! That is really cool!
It’s a gorgeous building!
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I am a 1966 McClain graduate. What a thrill to see these beautiful pictures, and to know the building is being lovingly maintained by the community.
Your alma mater is beautiful and I was impressed at how lovingly they have cared for this old building. How fortunate for you that you attended class here!