May 19, 2002
Hello: I am a teacher in the Mt. Pleasant [PA] Area Jr. Sr. High School. Ramsay is now an elementary school in our district. When I attended Ramsay it was a jr.high school, although my mother attended when it was a high school. Her class is having their 50th reunion this summer. They too, are interested in the "other Ramsay". Our Ramsay was the most beautiful school I had ever seen. Unfortunately, it was modernize in the 1980's. They changed much of the interior and completely gutted the exquisite auditorium. The exterior remains almost the same. The windows were changed and the trees removed. The building has quite an interesting history and much of the architectural detail was designed by Ramsay with respect to his Scottish heritage. I have research the life of Erskine Ramsay for a program I hold each October. It is called the Mt. Pleasant Ghost Walk and Lantern Tour. Attendees visit several historical sights in a walking tour and meet the "spirit" of notable citizens. We stop at Ramsay to meet Erskine Ramsay and listen as he reflects on his life and his gift to the community. There are 2 bronze plaques that dedicate the building in memory of his brothers and tell the story of the Ramsay Family. They were moved to the present high school at the time of the rennovation. I have been trying to have them returned to their rightful place in the lobby of Ramsay. I hope this will be accomplished this summer. I am working closely with Ramsay's principal Mrs. Pat Spisso. She is very interested in the history and integrity of the school. I hold a Fine Arts Camp at Ramsay during the summer. And I am the sponsor for the Student Historical Society. I have collect several old yearbooks from Ramsay and have many pictures. The mascot was the Bobcat and the colors were Royal Blue and White. There is more to tell you but I must get back to work. We are approaching the last 2 weeks of school and my son is graduating this year, so I am overwhelmed with work right now. I will bookmark your page and get back to you by the middle of June. I have sent a picture. I hope you get it. Dalene Ritter artnova1@zoominternet.net