Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-01-08
SpRINGFIELD's SCHOOL EDIFICE.
A Credit to the town. Splendid Monument
to the Cause of Education.

W tuS SouSS VI LuuSobOus
Springfeld's fine new school building
was dedicated with appropriate exercises
last Friday afternoon and evening A
short account of the dedicatory exercises
appeared in Saturdays issue of the TINES.
A few words regarding the building itself
will not be amiss.
1t was voted in March 1894 to bond the
town for $25, 900, and the following were
elected school directors with instructions
to erect the building; c. A. Forbush, H.
H. Putnam, j. w. Pierce, R. S. Herrick,
D. j. Boynton. A site half way up Semi
nary hill consisting of Park estate and
property of the late Daniel Rice was pur-
chased it has total frontage of $50 feet,
and depth of..350 feet.
II. II. Putnam drew plans for suitable
building which were accepted by the other
members Of the committee. The plans
called for brick building two and one
half stories above the basement, dmen-
sions 10Ox64 feet, with two ellis at the
rear each 43x26 feet; the building to ac-
commodate all the pupils in the village.
The buildings occupying the purchased
property were moved or torn down, and
ground broken for the school building May
/ 16, 1894, June II saw. the foundations
commenced, and January II, 1895 saw
the last brick placed in position.
The total cost of the building including
ground has been $50, 300 The additional
amount over and above 1000 will prob
ably be voted at the next March meeting.
An inspection of the building is interest
ing. Entering from the north side, wide
corridor divides the building in halves with
six class rooms, three on either side with a
seating capacity Of so pupils. The grades
are divided into two primary, two inter
mediate and two second grammar. From
the center of the corridor broad stairways
lead to the floors above and into the base
ment The second floor is divided into
two first grammar rooms, each with seat
ing capacity of so and high school room
with seating capacity of So. On the
west side of the building on the same floor
is an assembly hall with seating capacity
of 800 which if occasion demands can be
converted into class rooms.
The third floor is divided into rooms to
be used as chemical laboratory. and as 6
Il i L
A room ON this floor is used for the ac
commodation Of the janitor and supply
= room.
: On the third floor is also located waite
f tank with capacity of $4,000 gallons, sup
plying the whole building. The buildin,
7 is finished in western brown ash and whit
: oak with birch floors throughout with tn
8 exception OF the basement which is foore,
with cement.
t The Powers system is used for heatin
+ the building which is accomplished by tw
5 80 horse power boilers opening an eigl
!. horse power engine. A Sturtevant blowe
h forces the heated air into every room i
. the building, the temperature being regu
! lated by the Thermostadt so that it
never more than 20 degrees.
The citizens Of Springfield may well fee
proud of their magnificent new schoe
+ building. 1t will be standing TESTING
e NAL to her interest in the cause of educa
: ton, monument to the public spirit an
J, progressiveness of her citizens.