Career center students restore High's sign

MEDINA — The Medina Town Hall and Engine House Museum received a major assist from several Medina County Career Center students to get a museum-qualify artifact. And, it never would have happened if someone hadn't gone dumpster diving. MCCC's Automotive Collision Technology students recently collaborated with the school's Precision Machining Technology students to restore the original High's Jewelry sign, which was originally located on the Medina Square. The sign used to light up the square, as it sat atop to the large clock tower. "In 1909, George F. High purchased the jewelry store," said Roger Smalley, curator of the museum. "In 1911, he installed an elegant clock in front of the building that was lit by electric lights each night. In 1926, the business underwent a name change and was called High and Son Jewelry Store, George F. and Sidney High, Props. At the same time, the Village of Medina installed its historic lampposts and it is believed that at this time High's placed their new sign on top of the clock. "George and Sydney ran the business together from 1926 to 1945. The name changed to High's Jewelry Store when George retired. Sydney ran the business store until 1976. At some point in the 1980s, the High's Jewelry Store sign was thrown away." Smalley said he believes the sign was thrown in a dumpster and rescued by the Medina Community Design Committee. It was stored at the Munson House for a time being before it was donated to the museum, located at 50 Public Square. Automotive Collision Technology students fabricated the new front and rear panels and repaired the center section of the original sign. They bonded all the panels together and reinforced the rear and front bracket so the sign could be properly hung. Students completed the artwork restoration on it. The Precision Machining Technology students disassembled the sign and manufactured fixtures to transfer the holes from the old sign template to the new sign. This careful restoration required precision machining, wiring and installation of sockets and fixtures. Smalley said city workers went down to the career center last week and transported the sign to the museum. "I want to put it up on the wall and plug it in," he said. Smalley said he hopes to have it mounted on the wall when the museum opens this summer. It has been closed due to COVID-19 since March 2020. "They really did a nice job," he said. "It looks wonderful." The historian said it doesn't have bulbs on both sides like it once did when it was mounted on the clock. "At some point, the city replaced the clock itself in the '80s during Bill Lamb's term (as mayor)," he said. "The sign had been taken down prior to that." Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.