PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY MUSEUM
GRAND OPENING - AUGUST 27
San Diego’s largest public high school will soon be home to a showcase of its storied past when the Patrick Henry High’s History Museum officially welcomes visitors on Thursday, August 27 from 5 until 8 PM. It coincides with the Fall Open House for parents and students to begin the 58th year of the school’s operation.
Housed in the campus library, the brand-new History Museum will feature displays covering all aspects of student life during the first decade of Patrick Henry’s existence.
“Many of these memorabilia items were gathered back in 2023 when a number of alumni began production on a history film about Patrick Henry’s first years,” said History Museum Founding Curator Scott Aveldson. “We needed visual artifacts from the late 60s and early 70s to help tell the story. A lot of our classmates were still holding on to these cherished items and were happy to donate them to us.
“As I started cataloguing these artifacts, it dawned on me that there could be a second life for all of these treasures in a museum. A number of San Diego County schools older than Patrick Henry have museums in place, but we didn’t. When we suggested the idea to the school administration, they were very enthusiastic about it.”
It took the better part of two years, but through alumni contributions, volunteer efforts, and the Alumni Association, the History Museum was assembled, piece by piece. “Once the word got out that the project was for real, even more donated items poured in,” recalled Leslie Peariso, the History Museum’s Associate Curator. “PHHS faculty members dug into their storage spaces and found old uniforms and trophies for us. We even recovered and completely restored a battered old statue of the Original Patriot – which stands over eight feet tall as the centerpiece of the History Museum!”
For now, the History Museum will feature mostly items from the school’s early years. “But we’re expecting that graduating classes from the 1980s and up will be inspired by what they see and then expand exhibits from their time at Patrick Henry,” said Aveldson.
“We are all Proud Patriots and want everyone to be able to share in that pride for our school. Our goal is to connect Patriots, then, now and forever.”
Admission to the August 27, 5-8 pm opening is free. The History Museum is located in the Patrick Henry High School’s library and will be open during regular school hours. It is recommended, after the opening, contacting the school prior to visiting to confirm the library is open to visitors.
For further information, contact:
Scott Aveldson Leslie (Le Tourneau) Peariso
Founding Curator Associate Curator
[email protected] [email protected]