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ESHA

Easley High School Auditorium is a historic building built in 1909 in Easley, SC and now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is historically significant for its long association with education and civic life in Easley in the first half of the 20th century. The building served as Easley’s first and only high school from 1909 to 1940 and was central to the early experience and training of almost every local resident of that period.[1]


Architecture

Architecturally, the load bearing masonry building in the Renaissance Revival style is significant for its early efforts to introduce steel trusses into traditional masonry-bearing wall and heavy timber construction. It has also been noted as an outstanding early example of the work of architects Frank H. and Joseph G. Cunningham.[2] The building illustrates the early use of steel trusses to provide a clear-span auditorium with 18-foot ceilings.[3]

At the time of construction, use of steel trusses was still in the experimental phase. The design of the building is an early example of “the gradual replacement of load-bearing masonry and heavy timber structures with steel frame construction.”[4] The building has 86 tall windows with segmental arches, laid out like those in many textile mills in the region.[5]


Later Use

When the building opened in the fall of 1909, its classrooms allowed the seventh through tenth grades to have their own rooms for the first time (an eleventh grade was added in the 1920-21 school year). [6]


The school had outgrown the facility by 1938 and a new building was constructed on a different site in 1939-40.[7] Following completion of the new school building, the auditorium was occupied by a shirt manufacturer until 1964.

From that time until its listing on the National Register, the building went through various periods of vacancy and occupation by a local furniture store for limited storage use.[8]

Recent Restoration

The building had fallen into disrepair when the Easley Chamber of Commerce applied for its recognition as one of the most-endangered properties in the state. A period of planning on how to return it to a place of prominence within the community followed.[9] In the early 2000s the building was rehabilitated and restored to private use as residential condominiums.

The building stands at 112 Russell Street and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History has additional pictures and information,[10] and copies of the nomination forms..[11]

References

  1. ^ "South Carolina Department of Archives and History". Retrieved 2008-08-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "South Carolina Department of Archives and History". Retrieved 2008-08-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 7, Page 5, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 7, Page 5, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 7, Page 5, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 8, Page 8, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 8, Page 8, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 8, Page 8, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, pp. Section 8, Page 8, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  10. ^ "South Carolina Department of Archives and History". Retrieved 2008-08-30. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ Bainbridge, Robert W. (1998-04-29), "Easley High School Auditorium nomination form" (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, retrieved 2008-08-30 {{citation}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coeditors= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)

Previous article draft

The Baron Hirsch Synagogue, founded more than one hundred forty years ago in Memphis, Tennessee, is a flagship of American Orthodox Judaism. In the 1950s, it emerged as the largest Orthodox congregation in the United States, a position it still holds.[1]

The congregation is lead by Senior Rabbi Shai Finklestein.

History

Around 1884, a group of Jewish immigrants who wished to follow religious Orthodoxy began to pray together in rooms above various downtown Memphis stores, at private homes, and on the second floor of a modest hotel. In 1892, the group was chartered as the Baron Hirsch Benevolent Society, named in honor of the famed French Jewish philanthropist. That same year they purchased a former African American church at 4th Street and Washington Avenue for use as a synagogue, moving in in 1912. Rabbi I. Myerowitz was the congregation's first spiritual leader, serving from 1891 to 1893. [2] [3]

The Baron Hirsch congregation continued to grow and soon tore down their old building and built a new synagogue, at a cost of $35,000, on the same site in 1915. The new synagogue's sancturary could hold over 700 worshippers. The congregation built the Menorah Institute next to the synagogue in 1928, providing classrooms and space for congregation social activities. [4]

The congregation struggled somewhat in the Depression years. However, by 1941, Baron Hirsch had 500 member households and 300 children in its religious school. [5]

During World War II, it opened the Menorah Institute to soldiers stationed in the area, converting part of the building to a USO Center with sleeping quarters. The outside area between the synagogue and the Menorah Institute was paved for use in USO dances. [6]

Flourishing in the post-War years under the leadership of Rabbi Isadore Goodman, by the late 1950s, it had grown to over 1000 households and 500 children in its school. This dramatic increase in membership coupled with the movement of Jews out of the downtown "Pinch" area, spurred the congregation to begin planning for a new synagogue. In 1957, its enormous new synagogue on the site of a former golf course at Vollintine Avenue and Evergreen Street in midtown Memphis was completed, with 2200 permanent seats in the sanctuary and accommodation for an additional 1000 worshippers.[7] [8] The $1,6000,00 rectilinear International style building was designed by architect George Awsumb with powerful gray limestone wall cladding enhancing its clean modern lines. Artisan Jac Grue designed the stained glass windows.[9]

A testament to the strength of orthodox Judaism in Memphis, the congregation's membership doubled in the new synagogue, emerging as the largest Orthodox congregation in the United States. [10]

In September 2007, The Tennessee Historical Commission announced that The Vollintine Hills Historic District, the neighborhood around what is now the former site of the synagogue, had been added to the National Register of Historic Places. A press release issued at the time stated, "The neighborhood represents the efforts of members of an Orthodox religious group to accommodate their beliefs by developing a synagogue and housing for the congregation within easy walking distance. The 78 houses in the district "are good examples of post World War II Minimal Traditional and ranch-style houses". [11]

Recent Changes

Continual neighborhood transitions and the ongoing movement of members toward the east-lying Memphis suburbs, meant that the congregation again needed to find an additional location to remain within walking distance of most of its members. [12]

Under the leadership of Rabbi Rafael G. Grossman (now Senior Rabbi, Emeritus) the congregation began a transition from its edifice in midtown Memphis.

Baron Hirsch acquired the estate of musician Isaac Hayes and converted the mansion for its use as a satellite campus. By the mid-1980’s, almost all Baron Hirsch members were in this area and it was determined that the entire synagogue complex would have to move as well. Additional land was purchased next to the satellite site, another building campaign was undertaken, and the magnificent new synagogue and campus on South Yates Road was completed in 1988. [13] [14]

The Congregation Today

Although it has declined somewhat from its post-World War II peak, Baron Hirsch continues to flourish.[15]

Baron Hirsch is a modern Orthodox Zionist congregation that seeks to engage its membership in experiencing all aspects of Jewish life with a strong commitment to Am Yisroel, Eretz Yisroel and Torat Yisroel. [16]

The Memphis Jewish community is a strong, stable, and vibrant one. As a result, Memphis is often referred to as "the Jerusalem of the South.” [17]

  1. ^ [1]About Us, The Baron Hirsch Congregation web site. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  2. ^ [2] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  3. ^ [3]About Us, The Baron Hirsch Congregation web site. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  4. ^ [4] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  5. ^ [5] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  6. ^ [6] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  7. ^ [7] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  8. ^ [8]About Us, The Baron Hirsch Congregation web site. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  9. ^ [9] Judith Johnson, The Art of Architecture: Modernism In Memphis 1890 - 1980. Accessed 2008-08-22.
  10. ^ [10] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  11. ^ [11]State of Tennessee, Environment and Conservation Newsroom News Release, September 21, 2007. Accessed 2008-08-22.
  12. ^ [12] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  13. ^ [13] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  14. ^ [14]About Us, The Baron Hirsch Congregation web site. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  15. ^ [15] History of the Orthodox Congregations of Memphis, The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  16. ^ [16]About Us, The Baron Hirsch Congregation web site. Accessed 2008-08-21.
  17. ^ [17]About Us, The Baron Hirsch Congregation web site. Accessed 2008-08-21.
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