5 News Updates 5 Memorials & Clock Tower Update

Memorials & Clock Tower Update

September 6, 2020

The following update shares work that has been performed over the summer to preserve memorials on the front lawn and to address clock tower safety concerns.

Preservation of AHS Memorials
The Building Committee formed a Memorials Subcommittee in 2018 to evaluate all memorials on the school grounds (interior and exterior), some dating back a hundred years. The Building Committee recognizes the significance of these memorials and the emotions associated with them, and wants to maintain their history and treat them with reverence. The Memorials Subcommittee worked to identify all memorials and the people they were acknowledging. When possible, associated family members were contacted.

With construction on the front lawn now fully underway, most of the area is fenced off. Some memorials are located outside the construction zone and have been fenced off to avoid any damage. Memorials that were inside the construction zone have been collected and safely stored away during construction.

As landscaping for the new grounds is finalized, the project team will work to incorporate these items into the design, unless the family members have chosen not to re-integrate the memorial. This process will continue through each phase of building.

If community members have any information pertaining to memorials located on the AHS site, please contact memorialcommittee@arlington.k12.ma.us.

Removal of Clock Tower Balustrades
After standing for many years atop Arlington High School, the clock tower has started to succumb to time and weather conditions. Over the past few years, much of the wood comprising the structure has begun to rot and fall apart. With the onset of construction and the vibrations associated with this, some of the wood has fallen. In order to insure the safety of students, staff and workers, the balustrades surrounding the clock tower were removed this summer.

The Building Committee hopes to salvage some parts of the inner clock workings to be used at a later date. Though the mechanics no longer work, the mechanism may be used in another form, breathing new life into the clock.

Upcoming Events

Recent News

Welcome Back Students!

As the new school year gets underway, the following resources will help students, parents and community members access the high school during Phase 3 construction.

Arlington is victim of cybercrime

A Message from Jeff Thielman, Chair of the AHS Building Committee  Arlington Town Manager Jim Feeney announced today that the Town of Arlington and the AHS Building Project were recently victims of cybercrime. I would like to thank Mr. Feeney and the Town for their...

Phase 3 Schedule Update

Phase 3 construction of the new high school is currently underway. This phase includes construction of the Athletic wing with a 16,000 square foot gymnasium and two alternate Physical Education spaces, a Black Box theater for performing arts classes and an outdoor...

Virtual Tour of Phase 2 Spaces

Phase 2 of the new high school opened to students in November 2023. Principal Matthew Janger gives a virtual tour of the Phase 2 spaces including the Student Center, Library, Cafeteria, Forum Stairs and Humanities wing. AHS Phase 2 Virtual Tour - January 2024 from...

Phase 2 is Open!

The new Humanities wing and Student Center opened on November 8. Additional parts of Phase 2 include the district administration offices and Menotomy Preschool (which will open to students in early 2024). Communication: Press Release Superintendent's Update Message...

Blog: Phase 3 Preview

Phase 3 construction of the new high school began immediately after the opening of Phase 2 and is anticipated to be complete by February 2025. During this last phase of construction, the athletics wing, outdoor amphitheater, and black box theater will be built. Read...

Connect with us

Sign up to receive updates