Edenderry Primary School in Portadown has launched a nostalgic online platform with a unique collection of old photographs.
The Edenderry Archive aims to be an online haven for old Edenderry pupils, staff and nostalgia seekers, inviting users to explore, share, and celebrate the joy of over 400 old Edenderry Primary School photographs down through the years.
The school says the archive is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich tapestry of the school’s visual history.
The website features a carefully curated collection of photographs dating from the 1970s, capturing candid moments, significant events, and everyday life in the school through the decades.
The archive contains a vast collection of high-quality photographs, categorised by years, making it easy for users to find images that resonate with them.
Former pupils can also contribute their own collections by submitting photographs, allowing for a diverse and ever-growing archive of vintage imagery.
Additionally, the website offers some articles that delve into the history of the school and the significance of certain images.
For many years, Edenderry displayed various photographs of the pupils who attended the school, on the school corridors.
Stephen Blevins, Principal of Edenderry Primary School, commented: “Photographic displays in schools are less frequent now and very often, the people on display never get to see those images.
“When displayed for years, the images regularly become sun damaged and the people in them unrecognisable.
“We decided that there is now a better way to value the school’s rich history; a way that allows those who are part of that history, to relive their days at the school.
“So, one by one, we set about removing them from the walls, carefully scanning them and adding them to this unique online platform that sits within the school website.”
He added: “Photography is more than just a medium; it’s a portal to our memories. We wanted to create a space where people can properly explore these valued and nostalgic images and reconnect with the history captured within them.”
To celebrate the launch, the school has appealed for members of the public to help add to the growing collection of images.
If you are in possession of a photo that is missing from the archive, please get in touch with the school’s ICT Technician and designer of The Edenderry Archive, Mr Darryl Sloan. Daryl is himself a former pupil of the school and can be contacted at dsloan653@c2ken.net.
The Edenderry Archive can be accessed via the school website, www.edenderry.org.