The Press., 1884-04-17
LOCAL T0PICs-PENN,D AND sCIssoRED

TOT our lives are IdSU dWdys
 Monson, Mass, March 26th, 1884.
 LOCAL TOPICS-PENN'D AND SCISSORED STAFFORD SPRINGS NEW SCHOOL HOUSE.
 The completion of the new school house in this village marks the longest forward step our village has ever taken-rather a series of rapid strides than single step The public school system of the village, felt for many years to be disgraceful and detrimental to its growth, is now in fair way to be more nearly on par with that of other villages of like size, importance and wealth. The step taken in 1891-af- ter many previous attempts and failures the consolidation of the two school dis tricts, making one district of the entire borough, has at last given us one central scheol-house, admirably planned, econom- ically constructed, and availing of the best modern ideas in school architecture
 Many public spilited citizens have la- bored unremittingly for this end, to awaken people to the needs of the village and to the disadvantages which its faulty schools imposed upon it, checking its growth, ard keeping down its average of culture. Those who had means to send their chil- dren to the excellent schools of adjacent large villages felt little of this, the misfor- tune being chiefly to the children of the poor. All these gentlemen will endorse The Press in giving to Chester J. Holmes the credit of taking the responsibility of finally hastening action. He, as school committee, took the responsibility of call ing meetings, and urging immediate ac- tion. The result of which was such an awakening of interest as to silence the ex- al September, 1882, 1t was voted to build school house on the Gay lot, so called, cn High-st., and committee, of which c. J. Holmes was chairman, was instructed to procure plans. A later meeting voted to adopt plan presented, and chose MT. Holmes, w. D. Heald and 0. G. Ellis 8 building committee. The estimated cost of the building planned was $14, 900. Work began upon the structure in July, 1883, and last Monday the building was FoovupiSG by sseaaoelss of village Tt is a handsome structure, ld- cated on an elevated site, and command ing object from every approach to the will Iage. The school house lot contains about two acres, and extends from High-st. thro' to Prospect. The location is central as well as slightly. and Is so elevated as to es- cape all impure air, or sewerage from ad- joining lots or streets. The size of the main building is 95x29 feet, two story addition in front is 45x1O feet, and the base of the tower pro jects in front of this 61x10 feet. The main entrance is under the porch in the center, or base of the tow CT, outside steps leading up thereto. Two side entrances from the ground level op Il upon landings from which short flights go to the first floor, also to the basement thus giving three doors of egress besides those opening into the rear yard. From the main entrance stairs go to the right aud left to the main floor, with broad landings and turns half way up. Upon the lower floor are the primary and intermediate school rooms, the former with 80, the lat ter with GA desks and seats. On the stc- ond floor are the grammar and high scho ol rooms, with St and 57 desks respectively. Each school room is wainscotted and cased with ash, with pine doors, all with hand oil finish. The height of the rooms is 13 fe' f.. Black-boards extenda all around every schoo l by doors and windows, Each room has a desired. The windows are so arranged that light falls only upon the pupils back and left The floors are of rock maple, and the walls are of soap-stone finish. The halls are ample in size, and in them two cloak rooms for each school. Also wash bowl and water cooler. Each school room also has closet for the teacher. The sec ond floor has recitation room 12xl4 feet, and the third floor one 14x18 feet. The basement contains large play-room 2Sx5O feet, also a smaller one exclusively for girls; also a room for the steam heating apparatus and for fuel, containing tubu- lar steam generator, from which warmth is conveyed by pipes to radiators, which are plentifully distributed in school roos IS, halls and recitation rooms, with 8 foot warming plate in the, front hall. BehiI the school room radiators fresh air can be admitted from out of doors, so as to keep a constant current passing. over the heating surface when change of air may be requir- ed. The walls are all back plastered ard the floors double, with farring between.
 The tower, directly in front of the build. ing, is 90 feet high. The basement is mostly above ground. The grounds about the building are ample, and the enclosed yard in the rear has section for each sex into which separate dooEa open from the school house upon covered walks extending to the oAt=houses.
 The architect of the building is Warret DIlSSo, WuO E1lduACu Uu0 ucW school building at New Britain antt othel fine school edifces in this and other states The basement walls were built under con tract by Messrs. Lull X Nichols, but thu carpenter and other work has been done by days work, under the close supervision and inspection of the building oommittee e who have devoted themselves to the wol of giyang the village the full value of tht outlay, The work has been largely done by employees of Capt. T. D. Johnson.
 The windows in the building have beer neatly curtained by D: II. Parsons, eacf window having two curtains hung in the center, one rolling upwards, and the other downwards. About 90 curtains were thu. required for the entire building.
 The ediice is painted red, this color ad ding to its imposing effect.