If you’re interested in families and businesses from a century ago, then check out this December 1924 program for the annual Hopewell High School senior class play. The program lists some 23 names of student performers – plus has 59 small ads for local businesses in Hopewell, Pennington, and Ringoes.
== View the full 1924 Hopewell High School Program (PDF) ==
The play was “A Full House,” a madcap comedy of misdirections and mix-ups that Wikipedia reports was made into a silent film in 1920 but then apparently has been lost.
The program lists some 14 cast members for the performance. Plus there are seven more for the “Yama, Yama, Song and Dance,” plus two for the “Dutch Dance.” (See Wikipedia for more on Yama Yama – including video of a 1939 Ginger Rogers performance.)
But even more interesting for historians are the 59 businesses ads from around our area. Some of the listings have street addresses, while most assume that everyone just knows where they are located. A couple even include phone numbers.
You’ll find a wide range of businesses – manufacturers and contractors, restaurants and general stores, barbers and farm supplies, auto garages and funeral parlors, and more.
Some of the businesses listed in the program that were discussed in previous History Project posts include:
- Gebhart’s luncheonette before it became the Hopewell Inn
- Smith Mfg. Co. in Hopewell before it became Rockwell and then Kooltronic
- Woolsey & Cadwallader Coal & Lumber near the Pennington train station, where some of the buildings and railroad trestle still remain
- Reid’s septic tanks and stonecutting on Mercer Street in Hopewell, later the site of the Legion Hall
- J. B. Hill and Son that lasted over a century on Railroad Place in Hopewell
- Cox & Cray as one in a series of barber shops that still continue on Seminary Avenue
We welcome additional information on the other businesses – including their locations in the towns.
See also the additional Hopewell High School pamphlets in the Pamphlet Collection, including the June 1924 Commencement program (for the previous class), and the Class of 1926 Commencement program.
== View the full 1924 Hopewell High School Program (PDF) ==
About the Hopewell High School
In 1924, the Hopewell Valley High School was located on the corner of Columbia and South Greenwood avenues in Hopewell Borough – the same building that is currently the firehouse and was previously also Borough Hall.
The Hopewell High School building was constructed in 1910, and was used until the high school moved to a larger facility in Pennington in 1929.
See earlier post on the confusing Hopewell high school building
About Columbia Hall
The play was performed in Columbia Hall, located across the street from the High School. This was the predecessor building to today’s Hopewell Theater at 5 South Greenwood Avenue.
Columbia Hall was built in 1897 for the Hopewell Hook and Ladder Company, which was Hopewell’s first fire department. The fire company occupied the first floor, and the second floor had a large hall used for public events including shows and movies. The building was replaced by the current theater around 1939, and the fire department then moved into the former High School building.
See earlier post on the multiple Hopewell fire companies
More on Hopewell Valley Schools
Posts on school materials, including yearbooks, graduation programs, and plays.
- See also post on St. Michael’s Orphanage and School
Browse all School materials in the Image Album and Pamphlet Collection:
- Hopewell Schools History Posters – Hopewell Elementary School at the Harvest Fair
- Images – Hopewell Valley Schools Album – Class photos, classrooms, etc. (search by name, etc.)
- Pamphlets – Hopewell Valley Schools – Yearbooks, commencements, etc. (select by town, name, etc.)
Hopewell Valley Schools – History
- Post on Hopewell School Mascots – and the Frog – School names, mascots and logos
- Post on The Timberlane School Name – The Timberlane Drive development
- Post on Learning Your Letters – School Signs – Princeton High School (1919 / 1920)
- Post on Toll Gate and Hopewell Elementary School Centennials (2026)
Hopewell Borough Schools History – Grammar & High Schools
- Post on Hopewell Elementary School History – Hopewell Schools History posters
- Documents on Hopewell Borough Schools – Briefs and Posters
Hopewell Grammar School (Model Ave.) – 1888 – Posts & Materials
- Post on Model Ave. Grammar School Annex – Jewelry, invention, guitars, metalwork
- Post on c1912 Hopewell Grammar School Kids – Photos on Model Ave.
- Post on 1920s Hopewell Teachers – Scott & Scharring-Hausen
- Brief – Hopewell Grammar School Summary Brief (PDF)
- Brief – Hopewell Grammar School Annex Summary Brief (PDF)
Hopewell Elementary School (Princeton Ave.) – 1926 – Posts & Materials
- Post on the Hopewell Elementary School Centennial – history and additions
- Post on Hopewell Elementary School Class Plaques – 1926-1966 – Photos and names
- Post on 1941 Hopewell Elementary School Newspaper
- Post on 1952 Hopewell Elementary School – Graduation program and yearbook
- Pamphlets – 1956 Hopewell Elementary School “Hi-Lights” Newsletters
- Pamphlets – All Hopewell Elementary School Pamphlets – with yearbooks, graduation programs, newsletters
- Brief – Hopewell Elementary School Summary Brief (PDF)
Pennington Grammar School – Posts & Materials
- Post on 1950s Memories of Pennington – Mike Thomsen – Building evolution
Hopewell High School (Columbia Ave.) – 1910 – Posts & Materials
- Post on The Confusing Hopewell Firehouse – and Boro Hall and High School (1910)
- Post on 1917 Hopewell High School Yearbook – “Blue and Gold”
- Post on 1920s Hopewell High School – Commencement / Class Day books
- Post on 1924 Hopewell High School Program and Ads – Senior class play
- Post on 1927 Hopewell High School Diploma & Autograph Book
- Pamphlets – All Hopewell High School Pamphlets – with yearbooks, graduation programs, diploma
Hopewell Valley Central High School(s) (Pennington) – 1929 / 1958 – Posts & Materials
- Post on 1950s Memories of Pennington – Mike Thomsen – Buildings, school days
- Post on Central High School 1962 Practicum Report – School operations
- Post on Central High School 1961 Student Handbook – Rules & Clubs
- Post on Business Classes at Central High School, c. 1966 – Typing & bookkeeping
- Post on Central High School Class of 1966 – 2016 Reunion Scrapbook – Valley Images
- Post on Central High School Curriculum: 1962 & 1976 – Booklets
- Pamphlets – All Central High School Pamphlets – Yearbooks, graduation programs, curriculum
See also the Document Archive for additional historical school materials.
