1926 - 2026
Celebrating 100 years of the Hendrick Hudson High School

A vote is held on a proposition to purchase one of two properties on Albany Post Rd. for the purpose of building a new schoolhouse.  Voters approve the purchase of the Shedd property for $24,000.

The Highland Democrat reports that the transfer of the deed for the Shedd property has successfully been negotiated after some delay, and the architects, Knappe and Morris Architects of New York City, have completed their plans for the new high school. The estimated cost of the proposed building, including architects' fees, is no more than $326,000. (need photo of proposed school from this article)

District voters overwhelmingly approve the Board of Education’s plan to build a new schoolhouse on the Shedd property.

At the Board of Education meeting, the District Clerk opens sealed bids and proposals for construction of the building, heating and ventilation, plumbing, and electrical work. No selections are made at the meeting.

At the Board of Education meeting, bids are accepted for plumbing, electrical, and heating.  The main bid is held up.

Voters approve the renaming of the district to Central School District No. 3 at a special meeting. The reconfigured district, which already included Buchanan, Crugers, Montrose, and Verplanck, will now include Furnace Woods and will no longer be considered a “rural” district. This change allows the district to receive state funding for 25% of the principal and interest costs of the construction of the high school.

The Board of Education approves Louis Kiel of Ossining as the main contractor of the high school building with a bid of $266,700.

The groundbreaking for the new high school is celebrated.

Caption reads:  

The above picture shows the Board of Education of Central School District No. 3 when the first shovel of earth was taken out, for the foundation of the new Hendrick Hudson High School at Montrose. 

From left to right:  Louis Kiel, contractor; Frank G. Lindsey, supervising principal of district; Thomas Cole, president of the Board of Education handling shovel, who laid the cornerstone Saturday; David O. Henion, James Chase, James Herbert Ferris, George Welsch, members of the Board of Education, the latter clerk.

Credit: The Evening Star, May 28, 1926

Per an order by the NY State Department of Education dated June 23, 1926, effective August 1, 2026, Consolidated District No. 6 is to be known as Central School District No. 3.

The Board of Education reports that the NY State Department of Education has approved the renaming of the high school, previously known as the Buchanan High School and Roosevelt High School, to the Hendrick Hudson High School.

A strike by construction workers due to the use of nonunion stone and a period of cold weather delayed work on the new building for weeks.

Before a crowd of 600 people, the Board of Education holds a ceremony marking the laying of the cornerstone of the new high school. County Judge William F. Bleakley speaks on the value of education and congratulates the people of the district for their vote. BOE President Augustus J. Cole lays the cornerstone, behind which is placed a large copper box. See the Time Capsule page for details of its contents and the cornerstone ceremony program.

Memorable quote from The Highland Democrat, April 16, 1927:  Even the tightest of taxpayer tight wads relaxed his stern jaw, admitting that everybody at least seemed to be glad that the District was to have one of the largest, most modern, well equipped High School buildings in many counties.

The first graduating class of the Hendrick Hudson High School celebrates their commencement with Supervising Principal Frank G. Lindsey presiding over the ceremonies. Although the new building is not yet complete, the Class of 1927 is proud to be the first graduating class of the newly renamed high school.

The class list to the right shows all 11 graduates and is indicative of the nautical theme inspired by the renamed high school.

The doors of the new high school building are opened to students! Attendance is noted to be 135-140 students in the junior and senior high school.

Dedication ceremonies are held for the completed Hendrick Hudson High School building after nearly two years of construction. Frank G. Lindsey, Supervising Principal, presides over the ceremonies. Dr. George H. Wiley, Assistant Commissioner of Education of the High Schools of New York State, delivers the dedicatory address. The Evening Star, a local Peekskill newspaper, declares it “one of the most modern high school buildings” in the Hudson Valley. The festivities continue afterward with a dance in the gymnasium until 1:00 a.m.!

An Evening Star article from April 21, 1928 has a very detailed description of the original building.

The commencement ceremony of the Class of 1928 is held in the gymnasium, the first in the new Hendrick Hudson High School building. 15 diplomas in total are awarded and are handed out by Augustus J. Cole, President of the Board Education.