Reunion on the Green, A Celebration of Morristown High School and the arrival of John Cunningham's new book. Publication of the book and the event are sponsored by the Morris Educational Foundation

Business Wire, May 3, 1999

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 1999--

Celebrating 130 Years of an American high school

Youth's Bright Years: AN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL, Morristown, NJ will be published this spring by the Morris Educational Foundation, on the 130th anniversary of the school's founding. The seeds of this five year effort began development when Stephen B. Wiley, the Foundation's Chair, approached noted New Jersey historian, John T. Cunningham, with the idea of writing a book on the history of Morristown High School (MHS) -- one of the oldest public high schools in the state. Now, the labors of Mr. Cunningham and a group of dedicated researchers come to fruition.

The 250 page richly illustrated coffee-table book will be available through the Foundation at a cost of $29.95 plus $7 each for shipping and handling (US addresses only). Orders for the book, with checks made payable to the Morris Educational Foundation, should be sent to Morris Educational Foundation, History Book, P.O. Box 1224, Morristown, NJ 07962-1224.

To herald the book's arrival:

WHAT: REUNION ON THE GREEN-BOOK RELEASE

CELEBRATION & A REUNION FOR ALL CLASSES

WHERE: MORRISTOWN GREEN

(RAINSITE: MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL)

WHO: GENE SHALIT (MHS '43) OF NBC TODAY - EMCEE

JOHN T. CUNNINGHAM (MHS '32) -AUTHOR

LOCAL BANDS AND SPEAKERS

YOU AND THE MORRIS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 22 AT 11 a.m.

From the dust jacket of this new publication:

AN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL

Here is a complete story of an American high school, quite possibly the nation's first such full history. It is neither a series of "old grad" tales meant to stir nostalgia nor a sanitized public relations gesture. It is, rather, an intensely researched and carefully written saga of Morristown (N.J.) High School, written by New Jersey's best-known and highly respected historian, John T. Cunningham

Morristown High School began in 1869 when public high schools were a rarity in America. It survived initial strong opposition by the town's wealthy taxpayers opposed to spending money on a high school. In its first 75 years it was a powerful regional educational force, accepting students from towns within a 25-mile circle, a beacon school long before such a term was known. It was -- and is -- also an American institution accepting students without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. That ideal of democracy in action has never been lost.

The sub-title, Youth's Bright Years, is from the school's Alma Mater. It underscores the fact that the book deals with student life as well as academic achievements. Told with verve and at times a light spirit, the book is highly readable in addition to being provocative and intriguing.

Alumnus John T. Cunningham (MHS '32) is New Jersey's best known and most honored historian. He is often cited for his books (this is his 38th), with nine honorary degrees, four Awards of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History and an EMMY in 1985 for his documentary film, Dreams of Distant Shores.