by Shannon Butler
The very first yearbook for the Poughkeepsie High School, known as “PHOIS” was produced in 1909. The students who created it were sure to inform the readers that this was the first of its kind in the preface, “In preparing this book, it has been necessary to work without the guide of precedent, for the school has not in the past years published an annual.” This class was still going to school in the original Poughkeepsie High School building which was once located at the northwest corner of Washington and Lafayette Streets (the building seen in the photo on the right, built in 1872).
Flipping through this small book, it becomes very clear that the Senior class of 1909 (who put the yearbook together) had quite the sense of humor about themselves and not much interest in the lower classmen. Another thing one will notice is the vision of the book’s artist, Katharine Kelly. “Kittie” as her friends called her, was born in Poughkeepsie in 1892 and she lived with her parents at 40 Conklin Street. While attending PHS, her drawings became very popular among her classmates and she quickly earned a spot on the staff of the school’s newsletter “The Apokeepsian” where she did most of the artwork. In her senior year she was put in charge of doing all of the artwork for the very first PHOIS. Her work, which can be seen to the right, appears to be inspired partly by Charles Dana Gibson and partly by Aubrey Beardsley (She would have seen works by both of these artists in various publications). These illustrations are in the art nouveau style that was quite fashionable when she was in school.
Speaking of fashion, after graduating from Vassar in 1913 Katharine made her way into writing and illustrating all things fashion. First she worked for the Poughkeepsie Eagle News before making her way into editing a fashion paper called “The Apparel World.” She also contributed to Vogue (yes, the Vogue!) In 1926 she married John A. Redegeld and they had a son together while living just outside of New York City in Scarsdale. She continued to write articles and even moved into painting (check it out) up until her death in 1974.
We try to keep an updated collection of yearbooks from local High schools including Poughkeepsie, Arlington, Our Lady of Lourdes, Spackenkill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Make an appointment to come and have a look.
Resources:
Poughkeepsie Eagle News 15 May 1929
PHOIS 1909
Apokeepsian 1907-1909
