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Naomi Sheaffer | profile | all galleries >> Historic John Handley High School tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Historic John Handley High School

John Handley High School is a significant historic structure in Winchester, Virginia. Built in the 1920's as one of the few endowed public schools in America, it is currently undergoing extensive restoration. These photos have not been edited, other than cropping, as I wanted to capture its present condition, then return to take more photos after the restoration is complete. Many famous people attended school here, including Explorer Admiral Byrd, and country music singer Patsy Cline. Oh yes, and my daughter, whom I believe will be a famous writer and artist some day.
(Update October 11, 2009)- After 3 1/2 years of extensive renovations, the project is nearly finished. The final touches on the campus landscaping will complete the $72,000,000 project.
Main entrance.
Main entrance.		 Main entrance, view from stairs.
Main entrance, view from stairs.		 The history.
The history.		 Looking up, from the main entrance.
Looking up, from the main entrance.
Front entrance.
Front entrance.		 Dedication
Dedication		 Overlooking the athletic field.
Overlooking the athletic field.		 Front columns.
Front columns.
Obviously in need of repair.
Obviously in need of repair.		 Another view from the front area.
Another view from the front area.		 The walkway in front.
The walkway in front.		 The bell tower.
The bell tower.
Go Judges!
Go Judges!		 Handley Pride
Handley Pride		 View of the campus.
View of the campus.		 The park-like setting around the school.
The park-like setting around the school.
The track.
The track.		 In honor of Judge John Handley
In honor of Judge John Handley		 The renovation continues.
The renovation continues.		 t6%2f40%2f596140%2f4%2f83911557.OGL1JJ9S.jpg
The famous steps at Handley.
The famous steps at Handley.		 The tower stands strong.
The tower stands strong.		 The Renovation Continues
The Renovation Continues		 Three Years and Seventy-Two Million Dollars Later
Three Years and Seventy-Two Million Dollars Later

comment
Carol (Dentry) Clouser 08-May-2011 06:49
Louise Ellen Perry Class of 1946 is my Mother. Mom was extremely proud to be apart of John Handley High and to live in Winchester Va. Ellen was the first woman to receive a Letter for basketball. Her passion was to be a gym teacher. She decided to get married and have seven children. In 1968-70 Ellen was the baseball coach for the Madison Heights MI teen girls league where she coached a winning team each year. She also played in the Lamphere High Parent VS Teacher basketball game where she made many center court shots!. Mom had teachers at J H that took an interest not only in her talent as a student but as an athlete. Her brother Burr Grim also attended school at J.H. He was also a runner until the age of 68 years old.Three Generations later my Grandson is on the track team. When I go back to Virginia, Handley HS will be at the top of my list now that I live so close to Gods Cuntry. Very memorable place for me as a young girl.
Will 01-Apr-2011 00:59
My grandparents were among the few to be the second class to graduate with honors in 1925. In my possession I have a original picture which is the model of Handley Highschool dated 1923.
Handley Highscool is a beautiful school with history.
Guest 25-Mar-2011 15:58
I came to the Apple Blossom Festival when I was in 8th grade with my Grandma... to this day (I'm now 38) I still talk about the most amazing building I've ever seen was Handley HS. So beautiful and so impressive. I live in Ohio with my family, and dream of bringing my girls to the festival and to see this school. My oldest just returned from her school trip to Washington DC and hasn't stopped talking about it. I can't wait for her to see here. TFS these photos and history.
Laura Wingate 31-Jan-2011 05:26
I started at Handley when it still had a 4th grade, was in the Apple Blossom Festival every year and yes, I used to march to the cemetery to get my report card. Loved this school and have only been back once in 50 years. I really enjoyed the photos.
S lawrence 28-Nov-2010 04:08
John Handley High was more than a school to my mother it was her home during her teenage years. She once told me that she had more teachers for friends than kids her own age. She confided that she loved to run down the halls after school when no one was around that the noise her feet made seemed to say hurry weese, can't be late. Mother wanted to be a basketball coach although it never happened she did have seven children she still found time to play basketball and softball at the parent teacher games where she was known to be a ringer and sink baskets at half court a feat learned at Hadley High. Mother would have been Eighty two tomorrow November 28, 2010. I feel Handley misses you I know your children do Ellen Louise Perry Class of "46"
Guest 17-Oct-2010 17:10
i am a 1975 gradute of jhhs. moved away in 1979. have never been back to Winchester.sure do miss it.Arizona is where i call home now.
Mike B 23-Apr-2010 19:07
2006 Graduate. Went to see the first couple of phases but haven't toured the school yet.
Robert E. (Bob) Button 12-Aug-2009 23:28
Well, it's been 50 years since I walked the halls of Handley High and played on the football field in front of the school. Of all the memories I have, perhaps the most colorful has to do with the Appleblossom Festival Pagent which took place every year on the steps and porticos of the school. It was a massive production, all orchestrated by Garland Quarles with the music led by Mr. Strunce and his band. What great memories! And we still had to keep up with our studies. Did not hurt us too much.
Guest 27-Oct-2008 00:51
I just returned from visiting Handley . Have not been in 10 years WOW!!!! I am the class of 74. Glad it still looks the same from the outside.Got to take a tour of the school. True it is like going home!!!
Lori Greene (Stepp)
Greg Wilson 15-May-2008 15:43
I'm a 1969 graduate of Handley, and I am pleased to see that, at least from a distance, it still looks great. When I show people photographs of the place, they invariably say, "That's a HIGH SCHOOL?"
J.J.K. 26-Apr-2008 05:57
I am a 1978 graduate of Handley and have enjoyed looking at these pictures. I have three older sisters that graduated in 73,74 and 77. I remember sitting on the football field during their graduations and watching them walk down the stairs. Sadly for the class of 78 we didn't have that honor due to a possible thunder storm. I too like E.T. Brown, know that I am home when coming over the mountain on Route 50 and see the Handley Dome. Coming home to Winchester is worth the 8 hour flight!
Jos Mecklenfeld 15-Aug-2007 18:54
It so wonderful to see the relative young history of the modern America, the style influenced by the Greeks and Roman is really nice. I'm curious how it looks like after it. Oh yes your daughter will be famous, she has the talent of her mother so that would be no problem ;)
meesh 10-Aug-2007 08:57
Just too bad it has a $63.9 million dollar repair bill! Paid by guess who? Yea, you and me!
Reginald Dentry 01-Aug-2007 18:25
My mother Louise ellen Perry went to Handley she was very proud of her school. She played basketball and Softball. My uncle Buur Grim ran track there . Of course we would run the track My mom always wanted me to run track. Like her brother. I did but he is a hard act to follow. thats all I have to say thank you for the site.
Guest 23-Jun-2007 18:48
Naomi, Thank you for an unbelieveable trip down memory lane. I graduated from Handley in 1974. The old place still looks mighty fine!!
Keegan Dimmick 04-Jun-2007 12:37
OH my, I'm a 98' grad. Haven't been by to see the place in a while. That building holds a lot of great memories.

Keegan
E.T. Brown 11-May-2007 15:19
Graduated from John Handley H.S. in 1978. When returning from a trip/vacation from
route 50 East and see Handley's dome in the distance, I know I'm home.
Ryan Farrell 16-Jan-2007 16:25
Hi Naomi,
Winchester was my hometown as well! I moved down to Harrisonburg to attend JMU and decided to stay in the valley. I went to James Wood but these Handley shots are incredible, you got some really cool angles with the columns and everything.Very nice galleries!
P Dowling 13-Dec-2006 19:27
When I lived in Virginia in the mid 1980's, I often would visit Winchester and would run on the Handley HS track in the evenings. I thought about alot of things on that track. It was there that I decided to make a significant change in my life requiring me to move to Texas...where I still live and work as a HS football coach. If ever I get back to Virginia, Handley HS will be at the top of my "to see" list. Very memorable place.
skipps 11-Aug-2006 02:26
Beautiful school. I grew up in Loudoun County and remember Handley as a strong football team (late '70's). However, Admiral Byrd was born in 1888, so maybe it was one of his children that attended.
Dan Chusid 10-Jan-2006 03:26
If I ever did one of these on my old high school...
...it just wouldn't be the same.
I think I'll just enjoy the memories!
PS: It was recently featured in the movie, "Garden State".
Guenter Eh 09-Jan-2006 19:21
Very nice AND informativ documentation of this famous historic building. A very different "sujet" in example to your SP gallery. Shows your multitalend style of photographing!
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