[The following information was provided by Mr. Ed Eisenstein, second president of the Erasmus Hall Alumni Association, from an oral interview on May 21, 1998.] In 1985, after responding to an advertisement in a local Brooklyn newspaper about the possibility of celebrating the school's bicentennial, a small group of Erasmus Hall High School graduates met in the Great Room of the Old Academy Building of Erasmus Hall. The group, lead by Theresa Frank included Stanley Soretsky, then-principal at Erasmus Hall, met to set up a committee to try to organize a bicentennial celebration. Starting with a small outdated list of alumni and $1,100.00 from a previously unstructured alumni association, the current almni association was born. After that initial meeting n 1985, Ms. Theresa Frank, who until her death in 1997 served as president, volunteered her home as the meeting place for the organization. Through her leadership and the tireless efforts of the committee, a list of 15,000 alumni names and addresses was developed. This was very beneficial in organizing the bicentennial celebration and other reunions. In 1987, the Alumni Association hosted its 200th anniversary dinner at Prospect Hall in Brooklyn. More than 1,100 people attended; an additional 300 people had to be turned away. Over the years the Alumni Association has provided tremendous support for Erasmus Hall High School. Projects have included: the restoration of the Erasmus Statue, replacing stained glass in the chapel, repairing the chapel organ, purchashing band uniforms, building a student lounge, establishing the Academy Museum, field trips and school equipment including computers. Today the Alumni Association provides the alumni with the ability to meet, locate and foster friendship. In addition to improving conditions at the high school, the Association awards a scholarship to a worthy student from each of the present day campuses of Erasmus Hall High School.
From the description of Erasmus Hall Alumni Association Collection, 1985-1997. (Brooklyn College). WorldCat record id: 436150057
