JAY — The Jay Historical Society held its annual Open House on Saturday, Aug. 8, with the theme “Honoring the History of Jay High School,” which centered on the red brick high school. The building was cornerstone-marked 1924, but a Clavis yearbook in the archives notes that the opening was delayed one year due to construction.

As visitors entered the grounds, they were asked to estimate how many students they thought had graduated from that building from 1926 through 2010. The winner was Tony Gill of Chesterville, who estimated 4,242. The Historical Society’s estimate was 4,634.

Buildings open for tours were the Holmes-Crafts Homestead, the Florence Raymond Archives Building and the Carriage House, all of which had many interesting displays.

In keeping with the day’s theme, nearly all the Jay High School class pictures from 1930 through 2009 were hung in the archive building and several articles of clothing of cheerleaders, band members, graduation attire, sports runners, basketball, football and baseball jackets were on display.

At 10:15 a.m., Jay High students who attended the 1924 building were asked to step to the microphone to tell of any nostalgic memories they had of their high school days.

The lawn activity included the sale of hot dogs, lawn sale items, baked goods, and raffle tickets.

A chicken barbecue meal was held at 11 a.m. and during the morning everyone enjoyed the music group, “Larry Wright and Friends.”