WESTFIELD - Westfield Academy and Central School will dedicate the Wayside Building in honor of the late Dr. Van Laughlin at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Friends, family and alumni are invited to the event. Tours of the entire Westfield Academy and Central School campus will be offered at 12:30 and 4 p.m.
The Class of 1970 originally proposed the dedication of the building in the former school physician's honor after the district acquired the former furniture store; however Dr. Laughlin declined the dedication at that time. The original refusal has been attributed to his embarrassment for being singled out for his 50 years of service as the school physician and school community. Over the years the building has housed art, industrial arts, agriculture, offices and specialized programs.
When the Class of 1970 convened for its 40th reunion, plans to follow through on the dedication were made. The district Board of Education has authorized the dedication during the Alumni Weekend.
The Laughlin Building will house the district's current alternative and special education programming.