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The Gardner Scene: How Gardner High School got the Rockwell original ‘Willie Gillis in Convoy’
Now 70 years after its acquisition, the iconic painting is continuing to pay dividends for students in the city
Mike Richard
Special for The Gardner News
A recent Gardner News story illustrated the latest round of grants provided to applicants from the Gardner Public Schools system through the Williams-Rockwell Educational Gift Fund. It was set up seven years ago by the sale of the Norman Rockwell painting “Willie Gillis in Convoy,” which had been in the possession of the high school since 1951.
It’s interesting to note just how Gardner High School was able to acquire a Rockwell original in the first place. Actually, it came about exactly 70 years ago this week.
A recent Gardner News story illustrated the latest round of grants provided to applicants from the Gardner Public Schools system through the Williams-Rockwell Educational Gift Fund. It was set up seven years ago by the sale of the Norman Rockwell painting, “Willie Gillis in Convoy,” which had been in the possession of the high school since 1951.
It’s interesting to note just how Gardner High School was able to acquire a Rockwell original in the first place. Actually, it came about exactly 70 years ago this week.
America’s favorite illustrator was a one-time acquaintance of Gardner High School Principal F. Earl Williams during the 1940s. When the two renewed their friendship one day during February vacation week in 1951, Rockwell presented Williams with his original work of art known as “Willie Gillis in Convoy.”