Hallin steps into halls of Saugus history

SAUGUS – Nearly 75 years after her death, former Saugus High School teacher Isabelle Hallin will be forever memorialized in an unveiling ceremony at Town Hall later this month.Susan Dunn, chief administrative aide to Town Manager Scott Crabtree, and Peter Manoogian, Precinct 10 Town Meeting member, will unveil a plaque created in honor of Hallin which includes the “Hallin Principle” on Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.”We have people coming from out of state,” said Manoogian, who is hopeful for a big turnout. “Her niece and her nephew will be there, and I know she’s coming all the way from Florida for this and he’s coming from Alton Bay.”Town Meeting voted last November to adopt a statement of principle, known as the “Hallin Principle,” and to designate the landing between the first and second floors as the permanent location for a display along with a photograph of Hallin.In 1937, Hallin, then 25, held a school play rehearsal in her parents’ Saugus basement because the high school was too cold. However, because there happened to be a bar in that basement, rumors spread that she was serving alcohol and cigarettes to students. The School Committee then voted to request Hallin’s resignation.After the story spread nationally, Hallin headed to New York to try and make it as an actress, but was found dead in her apartment on Christmas Eve 1941. Authorities said she died of gas asphyxiation from her oven.The School Committee voted 11 days later to exonerate Hallin of any wrongdoing.According to Manoogian, the dates 1912 and 2012 will be etched on the plaque in recognition of Hallin’s birth and of Town Meeting’s vote. The statement, which will be etched into a black mirrored plaque will read: “May our actions within this Town Hall lead to greater wisdom and justice rather than sorrow and regret.””We have up some display lights to go over this thing, and it’s really going to look elegant and rich ?” said Manoogian. “So many people took an interest in it I think it’s the right thing to do.”Manoogian said the design, procurement, formatting, photo selection and placement of the statement was all done under the supervision of the Town Manager’s office with assistance from the Friends of Saugus Town Hall.Dunn and Manoogian worked closely for three months on this project as 49 separate donations ranging from $10 to $250 were received. Saugus businesses, town officials, citizens, former Saugus citizens, Hallin family friends and relatives, and even former students of Ms. Hallin contributed. Refreshments for the ceremony are also being donated by the Hammersmith Restaurant and J. Pace & Son, said Manoogian.”The outpouring of support and generosity in such a short amount of time has been impressive,” said Dunn. “Many donors wrote personal notes expressing their feelings about Ms. Hallin and their support of the project. We are happy that all costs associated with this project were covered by donations.”While donors received a personal invitation, Manoogian said in an email that it’s important that the general public also have the opportunity to attend the ceremony and witness the unveiling.”What has struck me most about this woman is that she was of the people of Saugus,” he said. “The message adopted by Town Meeting is meant for everyone that enters Saugus Town Hall. Thanks to these donors and Saugus Town Meeting, Isabelle Hallin can once again do what she loved doing best – teaching others.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].