The Wengler Avenue School once stood tall in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Once a bustling hub of learning and laughter, the school’s walls bore witness to the myriad of memories crafted within its confines by countless families over the decades. However, the year 2015 marked the end of an era as the school fell to the relentless force of the wrecking ball.

A Brief History of Wengler Avenue School

The Foundational Years

Constructed in 1927, the Wengler Avenue School was established to provide education and community engagement in Sharon, PA. Its opening was met with enthusiasm, heralding a new chapter in the town’s commitment to fostering the intellectual and social growth of its younger generations. The building itself, a product of early 20th-century architectural design, was equipped to accommodate the educational needs of the time, providing a conducive environment for learning and development.

A Period of Transformation

In 1966, the school underwent significant renovations as the community aimed to invest in maintaining a modern and efficient educational facility. These updates not only enhanced the physical structure but also reflected the evolving teaching approaches of the mid-20th century, aiming to better serve the student population.

The School’s Abandonment

A New Chapter: From Education to Entertainment

In a surprising turn of events, the building that once echoed with the sounds of children learning was repurposed for a wholly different industry. In 1983, the curtains closed on its educational role, and by 1987, the Continental Film Group breathed new life into the structure, transforming it into a hub for cinematic endeavors.

Despite its once cherished status, the circumstances surrounding the school’s abrupt closure and subsequent abandonment remain shrouded in mystery. Most likely, it was a case of funding or diminishing student population. Left behind when the school shuttered its doors were not just the physical remnants of an institution—desks, chairs, and educational materials—but a tangible piece of the area’s history, left to decay in silence.

A Haven for Filmmaking

Under the direction of movie director Armin Q. Chaudri, the former Wengler Avenue School became a setting for creativity and storytelling. Inside its walls, Chaudri hosted auditions for films such as “Tiger Warsaw” and “An Unremarkable Life,” leveraging the unique space to bring cinematic visions to life. The school’s transformation into a film studio underscored the versatility of such spaces and the potential for rebirth amidst abandonment. Equipment and costumes, once integral to these productions, were left behind after the closure of the studio.

The abandoned Wengler Avenue School served as a time capsule, preserving relics of an era. As I ventured through its desolate hallways and classrooms, I encountered an array of equipment and memorabilia, each piece holding stories of artistic endeavors and educational pursuits. The school, once a vibrant center of learning, now housing the remnants of its second life as a film studio, offered a unique glimpse into the past.

An Unearthed Gem: “Diary of a Hitman”

Among the most fascinating discoveries within the school’s basement was a set used in the filming of “Diary of a Hitman.” This film, featuring stars such as Sherilyn Fenn, Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone, Lois Chiles, and Jim Belushi, adds a layer of Hollywood allure to the building’s legacy. Amidst the remnants of the old set, a note captured my attention. Addressed to actress Sherilyn Fenn, the message read “Welcome to your set from the art dept, set decoration dept, & prop & construction depts. Good luck & enjoy yourself!”

A Repository of Cinematic Artifacts

Throughout the school’s expansive corridors and numerous rooms, I stumbled across a treasure trove of cinematic equipment. Cameras that once captured compelling narratives, wardrobes filled with costumes of diverse characters, collections of sound effects that brought scenes to life, and editing rigs where raw footage was transformed into cinematic magic. Additionally, computers and various other tools lay scattered, silent witnesses to the creative processes that unfolded within these walls.

Beneath the auditorium stage, in the shadowy confines of the basement, sat a particularly intriguing discovery: hundreds of canisters containing old reels of film. These canisters, covered in dust and rust and forgotten with time, held untold stories, their contents a mystery. It’s possible that some of these reels may have contained original footage from “Diary of a Hitman.”

A Break Room Frozen in Time

Two floors above the basement, my exploration uncovered what appeared to have been a break room, serving both staff members during its educational days, and perhaps the film crew later on. Now devoid of life, the room’s refrigerator offered a curious sight: instead of food, it contained an attempt at preserving films from 1992. Among these relics of cinematic preservation, a couple of salad dressings stood out, including a jar of Miracle Whip that had darkened to a deep brown over the years, its contents long past their prime.

Though the Wengler School no longer stands today, the memories of this structure live on through the residents that once walked its halls, and the films that were created here. 

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