On the evening of Monday, October 23, 2017, the past came alive at The Storm King School when Headmaster Jonathan Lamb gave a visual and narrative slide presentation in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre about the School’s history to members of the Cornwall Historical Society. Also in attendance were residents of the Mountain, Storm King alumni, and friends of the School. The presentation, called 150 Years on the Mountain, outlined the rich history of the School which was founded by Rev. Louis P. Ledoux as the Cornwall Heights School in 1867.
Cornwall Historical Society’s president Susan Kamlet
Cornwall Historical Society’s president Susan Kamlet kicked off the evening by introducing Mr. Lamb. Lamb, who is the School’s 17th Headmaster, began the presentation with the simple greeting “Welcome to Storm King.” “What I am about to relate is not an exhaustive history of the School’s 150 years. It is a selective one that I hope is also accurate,” continued Mr. Lamb. “This is one of many events that we will use to celebrate our Sesquicentennial throughout the year and beyond,” he said.
Headmaster Jonathan Lamb during his visual and narrative slide presentation in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre
“I am sure that there many of you who know more than I do about the history of the Mountain. If you note anything that needs a correction, I invite you to let us know to help us improve our story,” said Mr. Lamb. “The School’s history and the history of Cornwall are closely connected. The sense of community and family that we create here is what has made this school successful for 150 years,” he continued.
A postcard of the Cornwall Heights School with Storm King Mountain in the background
During the presentation, Mr. Lamb talked about the earliest days of the School when it was known as the Cornwall Heights School, followed by the Stone School era, and its more recent history as The Storm King School. Highlights of the presentation included a narrative timeline that followed the path of the School’s 17 headmasters and their contributions to the School’s history over the last 150 years. The presentation also included many archival photos depicting campus buildings and student life dating back as far as the late 1800s, and several videos created to illustrate excerpts from notable alumni and past faculty. Toward the end of the presentation, Mr. Lamb also touched on the current state of the School and its plan for the future, including the construction of a new academic center. Following the presentation, Mr. Lamb gifted a copy of the School’s recently published book The Storm King School: 150 Years on the Mountain, and he and Ms. Kamlet answered questions from the audience.
Old Main was a fixture on the Storm King campus until it was demolished in 1968
As a celebration of the School’s history, the event was a success and several local residents were pleased with the outcome including long-time Mountain Road resident George Muser and his wife Judy. “I think you did a masterful job digging up pictures and especially ancient school memories. It filled in a few gaps for me,” said Mr. Muser in a note to Mr. Lamb following the presentation. The evening concluded in the lobby of Storm King’s Walter Reade Jr. Theatre where Ms. Kamlet, Mr. Lamb and members of the audience enjoyed snacks and continued to chat about the history of the School and the Mountain.