Since 2007, when we began the museum, our “Museum Moments” have taken various forms.  18 years later, we realize that often times, it’s the littlest moments that are the largest.

Family research

In the past three months, we have helped family members in their journeys to discover more about those no longer here.  

In January we received an email from Mike Francis asking for any photos of his father Gordon “Corky” Francis since he had none from his high school years. 

“I’m pretty sure my dad went to high school here. Class of 63′ or 64′. I’m trying to find any pictures. He passed in Nov 2021. He served 30+ years in the Army in Intelligence. Thanks for what you do.”

We were able to find Gordon in one individual photo and one freshman group football team photo, both from the 1960 yearbook. His son shared that “Dad took care of five younger siblings. So… he was busy.” to explain why he didn’t have his class photo taken.

After scanning and emailing him the photos, Mike replied, “Well, you helped this veteran have that much more of his lost Dad. I commend you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Moments like these are affirmations of the value of the GHS Museum.

Frank Zappa

In January we received an email from Steve Apple, who had visited our website and wanted to visit in person: “I’m primarily interested in orchestra and/or band related photos, musical recordings and documentation from the fall of 1954 through the summer of 1955.”

During his first Saturday visit, we realized he was interested in researching Frank Zappa, who attended GHS his freshman year. During his Saturday visits, Steve found documentation of Zappa’s freshman year at GHS that we had not known. The most dramatic one is a 1955 yearbook photo of Frank at the drums in the Blue and Gold Band on the stage of the 1937 Old Gym.

Before Steve’s second Saturday visit, he emailed us, “Thank you very much for all the help last month in your wonderful museum as I researched alumni Frank Zappa – much appreciated! I’d love to visit you again this Saturday to see the 1950s era music records you mentioned you have/had  in storage.”

More treasures awaited as he found a program for the March 30, 1955 “The Concert Band and the Red Robe Choir in Combined Concert” in the vocal music showcase. Under “Band Personnel”, Frank Zappa is listed as one of the 5 “Percussion” members.

After his visits, Steve said, “Thank you so much for your tremendous labor of love in maintaining such a wonderful museum!  Many, many dozens, if not hundreds, of serious Frank Zappa fans concentrated primarily throughout Europe and North America have now seen photos of Mr. Zappa in the Grossmont 1955 yearbook as well as his name in the March 1955 concert program I encountered in your fine museum that I subsequently photographically shared on the internet this year – all thanks to you!”

Visitors on a “personal quest” enrich our knowledge of our amazing Foothiller history.

Sharing memories

Last weekend, Joan Rosten Thompson, Class of 1962, and her son visited

In 2023, while we were closed during the construction of our new space, Joan mailed us her 1960-61 Pom Pom Corp items including the gold corduroy uniform and jacket, her black and white saddle oxfords, gold head band, and gold sock cuffs. They are now on display in the Instrumental Music showroom.

At the time Joan shared, “My aunt and uncle owned the company that always made the uniforms for everyone so she made the coat to go with it for me.”

Joan’s son Chuck Witham, Class of 1990, was ASB President his senior year.  They both had fun reliving memories and sharing new memories. In our ASB display, we have albums of Nominating Convention programs and photographs; Chuck had fun finding himself and his classmates in the convention photos and programs.  

Later Joan emailed us, “The museum was amazing, with all the different items from each decade that you have on display! It brought back many fond memories of our years at Grossmont High School and far exceeded our expectations! A heartfelt thanks to all of you for your time and efforts to put this together! My son and I both agreed that it was you who made our visit memorable.”

Boys tennis

Recently, four-year tennis player Kent Abbott, Class of 2018, visited the museum with his parents.

In our 2010s displays are Kent’s letterman’s jacket with his 2015 Valley, 2016 and 2018 Hills League tennis champions patches, and 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Tennis CIF Championship patches, as well as Devils Pups patch. Also, Kent donated the tennis racket he used in 2016 when he was undefeated (24-0) in Grossmont Hills League singles games.  

After his visit, both Kent and his mother Heidi texted that they “had a great time!”

Jeff Abbott, Kent’s father, has spent the last 10 months researching the history of 104 years of GHS boys tennis. Nearly every week, Jeff has been contacting players and coaches and using the museum resources to uncover details about its history. Jeff is a fixture in the museum every Friday and on Saturdays when we are open.

Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to share your Foothiller boys tennis memories with Jeff or email Jeff directly at [email protected] or phone him at (619) 933-6630.

Visit the GHS Museum yourself and create your own museum moments.

GHS Museum spring hours

10-1: Saturday, April 19, May 31, June 28  or

Fridays by prior appointment when school is in session

Contacts: [email protected]  and (619) 668-6140 

Website: foothillermuseum.com

Top photo: Frank Zappa (circled) in 1955 as a drummer with the Blue and Gold Band. (Courtesy photos)