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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, January 22, 1995 First of all, I would like to thank our readers who have supplied me with historical information and materials for this column during the past year. If you have Albion historical materials that you don’t need anymore, such as city directories, yearbooks, photographs, etc., feel free to give me a call. This past year my book History of Albion, Michigan was reprinted, and it was again a success. If you were planning on getting a copy, you need to get one soon. They may be obtained at the Albion Chamber of Commerce at its new location across the street from Homestead Savings Bank, or at the Albion Volunteer Center [UPDATE ALERT: THIS BOOK IS REALLY SOLD OUT, Don’t even ASK]. In the past few weeks I obtained some photographs which I wish I would have had when I wrote my book, A History of the Albion Public Schools. These are publicity photographs taken in 1931, just as the Great Depression was settling upon Albion. The local professional photographer, Ludwig Studio, took photographs of the laboratory and work rooms at the Albion High School building which had opened in 1923. Today this is the west wing of Washington Gardner [formerly High] School. If you look in the corner, you will clearly see the engraving "High School 1922." The new high school building, dedicated in 1923, contained ten classrooms, three laboratories, lecture room, art room, mechanical drawing room, wood shop, sewing room, cooking room, gymnasium, and swimming pool. This allowed for the expansion for educational opportunities for the children of Albion, especially of the manual arts and home economics. From our Historical Notebook this week we are taking a look at what appears to be the printing class. It shows students setting type, printing, and other related activities. The boy in the center front with the glasses is Richard R. Morgan, a member of the Albion High School Class of 1933, who presently lives in Kalamazoo. All others are unidentified. To the right of Richard is a smaller boy in the back performing some task. Look at the knickers he is wearing. The date on the calendar above says April, 1931. With magnifying glass, I deciphered the numerous signs posted throughout the room. They read: "Sort Out 2 Boxes Every Day," "EXTRA Work is Expected for an A," "This is a Workshop--Get Busy!" "No Talking During Music Period," "Please Do Not Talk," "Notebooks Count one Fifth," and "Why not Learn and be a Good Citizen in This School?" Hmmmm. Nowadays, teachers are thankful if you just show up for class. Can any of our readers remember this class, or identify anyone else? Next week, we’ll present another interesting "action" photo from this group of pictures.  Albion High School 1931 Printing Class All text copyright, 2026 © all rights reserved Frank Passic | Artwork copyright Maggie LaNoue © 2026
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