- Wainwright Room -

When Jack Wainwright came to Fostoria High School shortly before 1920, he instituted a program of instrumental musical instruction. This was fairly unusual at the time. Wainwright was an innovator in this regard. Under his direction, the FHS band participated in the first national band competition which was held in Chicago and came back having been awarded first prize. Many instruments from Fostoria's musical past are displayed. In addition, the Wainwright Room also houses a collection of instruments, uniforms and trophies from the national champion VFW Band The Fostoria Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 421 sponsored a band in the annual national veterans organizations band competition. The Fostoria VFW band won the top prize several times in the years between 1948 and 1955. The VFW band was directed by Richard "Dick" Downs.

Information courtesy of Leonard Skonecki