The Hollywood High School Alumni Association Museum

[SUSAN J. SILVESTRI]

The idea of a museum to highlight the history of the school as well as the famous alumni who
attended was spearheaded by Jeanne Hon, principal from 1991-1997. She would go through the
basements and storage areas looking for space to be converted into offices and instructional facilities,
and during her searches she found a great deal of memorabilia stored in boxes and completely
forgotten. “Isn’t it a shame that these treasures can’t be enjoyed by everyone” she would tell her
staff. In 1991 she appointed Jerry Massey, the Assistant Principal for Counseling Services, to begin the
project of creating a space for and displaying the memorabilia depicting the history and the famous who
attended Hollywood High.

In the Fall of 1991 Jerry Massey and Hub Braden, a production designer for Universal Studios,
embarked on a two year project of creating the Hollywood High School Museum. The library building,
which was built about 1910 and served as the first auditorium for the school, was the desired location
to house this new project. The library foyer was the starting point for the construction since it was
rarely used and was in disrepair. Walls were patched and painted, walnut paneling and trim (which
had been painted over) was stripped and returned to the original style and look. Carpet was installed
with crimson being the preferred color, not red, because crimson is the official color of Hollywood
High. Jerry was a stickler for authenticity and tradition. Lettering was attached ad pictures were hung
on the nearly 12 foot high walls. By Spring of 1993 Jerry and his crew had completed not only the
foyer but also room 501, a larger room in 502 and the hall way which connected these two rooms. Also
completed were two rooms in the balcony and the entire balcony. In March of 1993, with the help
of Tom Bradley, Mayor of Los Angeles, the Hollywood High School Museum was dedicated. Several
hundred people attended this dedication ceremony and the Museum was officially opened.

The two year project conducted by Jerry Massey was not concluded however. Jerry continued to add
displays and create a very complete and traditional history of Hollywood High. He not only included
Hollywood celebrities but he also wanted to include prominent individuals from political, business and
professional fields.

Jerry continued to work on the Museum until 1997 at which time Dick Rippey, an Assistant Principal
and alumni of Hollywood High, was appointed to continue work on the project that Jeanne Hon and
Jerry Massey had created. Dick continued to create space for the numerous displays and new additions
to the museum. He developed an inventory and had a crew of students which worked on keeping the
displays in repair and in order. Dick’s work continued until his retirement in 2002.