A revolution in education occurred just about a century ago. It was the institutionalization of the public school system in communities throughout America.

Syracuse High School

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Reproduced here are a few postcards collected by my grandmother between 1906 and 1908. They illustrate the public high schools of Jamestown, Syracuse and Albany. At that time these remarkable buildings were new and represented the pride of their respective cities. Nothing like these facilities had existed previously.

Albany High School

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These neo-classic buildings with their clock towers, mansard roofs and Greco-Roman details were the embodiment of the hope that public education could meet the needs of the future. Since then, most of the energy, time and money allocated to education has been spent on the funding of these institutions.