The Story behind Huntington El’s Peace Sign
When Huntington Elementary School was constructed in 1968-69, one of its features was a unique amphitheater in the enclosed courtyard, accessible from either the first or second floor levels. A previously unknown story about the structure was recently revealed by Alfred DiGiacomo, the architect who designed the building.
Huntington El, as it was widely known, was renamed Jack Abrams Intermediate School earlier this year. It stands near the former site of Roosevelt Elementary School, which was demolished by the federal government at a cost of $465,000 to make way for the new school, all in the name of urban renewal.
The large concrete amphitheater can be used for all types of small and large gatherings and a variety of performances. It is the only such structure in the district, which has eight separate school buildings.
Huntington El was constructed during a time when the United States was engrossed in the Vietnam War. During this time an upside down Y became an international symbol for the Peace Movement. With that as background, it’s interesting to learn a previously hidden fact about the construction of the amphitheater’s stage.
“The circle was to have been scored with a Y shaped design,” said Mr. DiGiacomo, a 1941 Huntington High School graduate, about the concrete area located between seating for the audience and a semi-circular raised barrier ring on which performers could sit. “I was there when the mason who was scoring the concrete ran the center line all the way through,” the architect explained. “What else could I do except to say ‘OK install the rest of the Y.’ which made it a PEACE sign. I was hoping that no one would comment on it and no one did.” Now everyone interested in the history of the Huntington School District knows about it.
When Huntington El opened in Sept. 1969, President Richard M. Nixon was in office and America was still at war in Southeast Asia. Soon, anti-war protests would rage all across the country and world, with many becoming violent, including the shooting deaths of four students by the National Guard on the campus of Kent State Univ. in Ohio. But, Huntington El’s “peace sign” continued to fly under the radar, which suited Mr. DiGiacomo just fine.
The 86-year old architect, who retired from Cornell Univ. and today resides in Ithaca, is flying down to Long Island to celebrate Christmas at the Huntington home of his son, Thomas.
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office