Bright alumni share many things in common, but our alumni who graduated prior to 1963 often describe memories of their school building on Fort Wood Street and of Miss Bright herself that vary in great detail from graduates of today. Because of this, the school has established the Fort Wood Society for all alumni who attended the school at 833 Fort Wood Street. Alumnus John Shearer '72 interviewed some alumni who attended the Fort Wood school but graduated after the school moved to the current location. 

The 1960s was one of the defining decades of change in various realms of 20th century American history, and students at Bright School during that time witnessed those changes.

But perhaps the biggest change with which they dealt collectively was the construction of the current campus in North Chattanooga and the move there from the old school building at 833 Fort Wood Street in the spring of 1963.

As a result, a few Bright alumni – those who graduated from 1963 through 1969 – spent time on both campuses. They uniquely walked still-familiar halls that Bright students do today and different ones that students dating back 40 years did as well. The school moved from 869 McCallie Avenue to Fort Wood in 1924.

Among those who enjoyed these dual experiences were Cathie Ault Kasch and Paul Johnson of the Class of 1966, who spent several years each at both campuses.

“There was a totally different atmosphere,” remembered Kasch. “The old place, it was an old, dark building. But the new building was full of light.”

Johnson also found stark contrasts. “I remember when we moved to the new school, it was so much more modern and new and it seemed so much bigger,” he said. “The old school was a square brick building.”

Both schools were considered nice for their time. The now-razed Fort Wood building was constructed in 1924 and was designed by R.H. Hunt, the best known and most prolific Chattanooga architect of his time period. It was built in the classic style of the early 20th century with a main center entrance.

The original part of the current campus, which was designed by Gordon Smith Sr., featured nice classic columns in the front entrance, but the rest of the campus around the center quadrangle was very much in the style of mid-century modernism. And that included plenty of glass windows.  

Johnson remembered that they were all so excited about the new campus as third graders that they did not bother to feel sad about leaving Fort Wood Street. But the current certified public accountant did have positive memories about the older building, including the unique and small balcony in the kindergarten room.

Kasch, who went on to become the May queen at Girls Preparatory School in 1972 before becoming a longtime GPS dance and history instructor, has several rich memories of the newer Bright campus.

Besides partaking in memorable activities like shop under Aaron Lowe, gymnastics before it was common and trying to develop perfect penmanship under the Australian-raised and popular fourth-grade teacher Ms. Robinson, she saw her life especially impacted positively in two ways.

First, she remembered that the new auditorium and stage allowed for enhanced opportunities in dance, music and drama. “I really appreciated the holistic approach to education,” she said.

Also, each classroom had a small library in the back before a central one was developed, and this is when she first fell in love with reading biographies and history. One aspect of history she experienced first hand at Bright was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on the afternoon of Nov. 22, 1963. She has not forgotten the somber feeling of standing on the concourse waiting on her mother to pick her up after the news broke. “The teachers were crying,” she said.

Johnson also remembered and appreciated the human side shown by the teachers in a number of ways. “I always thought it was a real nurturing environment, and the teachers cared for the school,” he said.