CREATOR: Mahwah Board of Education, Dator Ballet School and various. 

EXTENT:    Linear Feet: 1 linear foot, 2 records  boxes

COLLECTION SUMMARY: This collection details the former and current schools of Mahwah and includes photographs of the schools, written works from students or newspapers, and more.

RECEIVED FROM: This collection was removed from the Vertical Files and came to the Museum from various donors.

LANGUAGES: English

PROCESSING ARCHIVISTS:  Alana Tuder and Harini Ravisankar, July, 2024. 

Collection Details

Biographical / Historical Note: The town of Mahwah has had various schools within its history. They range from schools that no longer exist, to newer schools that are found on Ridge Road today. 

The Stag Hill School, Masonicus School, Cragmere School, Commodore Perry School, Darlington School, and the Mahwah School are all schools that no longer exist in Mahwah, but were some of the foundations of the school district today. Some of these schools served a dual purpose, such as the Darlington School, which was turned into a ballet school under the guidance of Yvonne Dator.

More recently, the current schools in this collection include Betsy Ross, George Washington, Joyce Kilmer, Ramapo Ridge Middle School, and Mahwah High School (formerly Mahwah Jr.- Sr. High School).

The collection containing information about the Mahwah High School includes photographs, articles, student work, commencement exercises (graduation), and more.

Collection Description: This collection of photographs and written works explores the schools in Mahwah. These vary from schools that no longer exist (Masonius School, Stag Hill School, Cragmere School, Darlington School, the Mahwah School, and Commodore Perry School), to newer schools like Betsy Ross, George Washington, Joyce Kilmer, Ramapo Ridge Middle School, and Mahwah High School. The collection also includes photos from a school bus route.

Arrangement Description: The folders are arranged topically. Most of the photographs in the collection have been added as CatalogIt entries. 

Separated Materials: What materials were removed from the collection and placed elsewhere in the Museum. 

Subject Headings: 

Education.

Mahwah Schools

Dance Schools

Using the Collection

ACCESS STATEMENT:  Collection is open and available for use.  If used in a publication, the Museum expects to be credited. 

RIGHTS STATEMENT: The Mahwah Museum owns the materials, but researchers wishing to publish or reprint materials need to secure permission from the copyright holder. 

PREFERRED CITATION:  [ITEM DESCRIPTION], Frank McMahon Papers, Mahwah Museum, Mahwah, NJ.

Collection Inventory

Series 1:  Mahwah Schools

Box 1:

Former/Current Schools and Mahwah High School

Stag Hill School: Contains a photograph of how the school used to look like

Masonicus School: Includes pictures of students and a brief article about the school

Cragmere School: A photo of the last class to go to the school (including names) before it was turned into the Betsy Ross School.

Commodore Perry School: Contains photographs of classes and children from that school.

Darlington School: Includes articles about the school

Darlington School of Ballet: This folder shows the performers in the ballet school and also has articles that were written about the school.

Mahwah School: Contains Commencement Exercises from when the school was still open and photos of the school.

Mahwah Jr.- Sr. High School: Includes photos of the school itself and some student work.

Betsy Ross School: This folder has both older and more recent pictures of Betsy Ross

George Washington School: Photographs of the exterior of the school

Joyce Kilmer School: Includes some photos of classes and student work (including a guide to the area around the school).

Ramapo Ridge Middle School: Contains the outlines for building the school

Developing Mahwah High School: The folder has photos from when the school was being built, publicly opened, and other schools that were possible prototypes for the current, renovated building.

Mahwah High School Commencement Exercises: This folder contains the programs for graduates of Mahwah High School classes 1978-1993 (with some gaps).

Mahwah High School Class of 1960: Contains photographs from the reunion of this Class and student work as well.

Box 2: Student Life at Mahwah High School

Sex Ed. Debate 1974- Contains articles debating the proper curriculum for the school and showing performance results of each grade

MHS Written Works- Includes copies of the Tom-Tom from 1966-1969 (Mahwah High School’s student newspaper) and a few other miscellaneous items. These items vary from handouts given to students, pictures from school events, the dedication of the John F. Carty gymnasium, and more.

Mahwah High School Football– This folder has booklets from old Mahwah High School football games, varying from 1976-1986 (with a few years missing). The booklets include scores from games, players names and numbers, coaches, etc. It also contains a fall sports program for 1993-1994.Mahwah High School Sports– Contains photographs from many of the sports played at Mahwah High School, including hockey, basketball, baseball, etc.