Walter Reuther Central High School

Walter Reuther Central High School is a high school located in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is a part of the Kenosha Unified School District. The school was named for United Auto Workers leader Walter Reuther. The school occupies the massive block-square building built in 1924 and designed by John Chubb. When built, it was called Kenosha High School, and Central High School is the name listed on its namestone.

The building features a neo-classic Auditorium of 1,400 seats with commissioned original oil paintings by Chicago artist Gustave Brandt, including a 44-foot fresco over the proscenium symbolizing Kenosha history over a century and emphasizing the arts and sciences. The 1926 school yearbook explains that the panel "shows the High School as the culmination of the ideals of such educators as Col. (Michael) Frank (considered the father of Wisconsin's public-school system), Col. (John) McMynn (the school's first principal) and Mrs. (Mary D.) Bradford (the former superintendent of Kenosha public schools); a high school with a curriculum varied enough to fit the needs of all classes of students and one which will place Kenosha among the first of the cities of Wisconsin in education."

Two large allegorical canvasses next to the organ screens illustrate physical training and mental training. Smaller canvasses along the balcony edge portray educational subjects, and the auditorium features two backlighted, leaded stained-glass ceilings over the orchestra floor and balcony.

The high school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Civic Center Historic District.

External links

* [http://www.reuther.kusd.edu/ Reuther High website]

f