The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-09-09
The New Union School House.

The dedication of our new Central School
House occurred on Wednesday of last week
st 3 o'clock P. NJ. AT a previous hour the
house was thrown open for visitors, and
thronged by the interested Of every age who
in a CHERRY way manifested their gratifca
ton with the house and its appointments.
Ii is an admirable house, beautiful, conven-
lent and appropriate, peculiarly so to the
cad for which It is designed,-the central
accommodation of our common schools under
the system of consolidation and graduation.
With such ample, tasteful and suggestive ar
engagements as this house presents, the sys-
tenn Of thoroughly graded schools appears
more than ever to US practicable and prom
ising Its position and grounds have been
secured with equally good taste and fortune.
II stands upon the west side of Summer ST.,
with sufficient ground attached, and fronting
eastward an open space extending from Sum
mer to Main ST., intended as a public park,
recently procured for that purpose, being a
par. of the same plan which includes the
school accommodations. AS seen from this
park the building presents front of 80 feet,
the length of the main building, by Al feet
IN width. Its plan is cruciform and has pro-
Jtctions front and rear, severaily 80 and "a
feet wide, all being in height 2 stories, such
as give inside walls of Is feet for the first
story and Is for the second. Its underpin-
ming is of we'll prepared granite. The walls
are Of brick with window stills of sandstone.
The whole is surmounted with an appropri-
ate bell tower upon the centre Of the roof,
which leaves nothing lacking to the eye or
wanting from the general effect of an outside
view The entrance is by two acrhed doors
in the facade Of the front projection. With
10 this run two halls, till passing the base of
two fights of stairs they unite in one, spa
cious. and extending through an arch in the
centre into two back halls, each of which is
furnished with washing convenience, and
suppl ed by pipes and tank with good water.
Opening from the sides of this common hall
are recess-cosets for depositing the outer
garments of the scholars and three school
rooms, two primary and one intermediate.
This roomy double entrance, the two vide
star,cases and halls above have satisfactory
.Hok Of safety for the most hurried exit in
case of FIRE or other accident. The upper
halls are also provided with the requisite re-
cess-closets and open into two school rooms
to be occupied with the first and the second
grammar schools each having in the rear
commodious recitation room. The furniture
for all the rooms is Of the latest style and
mo-; approved pattern, and gives the rooms
such an air of comfort and elegance as t
tempt ones desire to be young again an'
Try On these modern school facilities. Tn
mouse Is warmed throughout by two larg
furnaces In the cellar, appropriated several
20 each OF the stories, and are well supplied
with outdoor air. Adequate ventilation i
secured by the use of "Kobnson's Paten
Nentllators, with which each Of the room
IS provided. Upon examination of thi
house it seems to one that nothing more no,
.s1equisite here to good scholarship, exeer
good disposition and good instruction, an
VI regard these various facilities as prom,
tive Of one and pledge for securing II
ether.
Another new house for our schools v
Lave just completed on Maple St., in goo
aeep!ng with the central one above descri
e. as TO It's modern style, Improvements al
furnishing. 1t is placed upon pleasant Ell
'allon with large g-oand finely graded ar
adapted for such finish as to be ornament
10 the village and inviting to the occupan,
OIL Two large and convenient school rooms