The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-04-10
Mathewson School Building
Dedicated Saturday Evening
WAS A NOTABLE AFFAIR.
Speakers We're State Superintendent Of
Education w. L. Ranger Of Montpelier
and R. S. Currier of This City
Reception Previous to Exercises.

The Aiathewson school building on
Elm street was used today for the first
time, when the public schools Of the city
opened for the spring term of school,
the dedication of the structure for
school work having taken place Satur-
day evening when a large number of
people we're present. All the afternoon
and evening Of Saturday there was a
steady stream of people going in and
out of the building, most of them par
ents and citizens, although there were
many from the neighboring towns and
others interested in the cause of educa
ton. Among the visitors were w. e.
Ranger, state superintendent Of educa-
tion, one Of the speakers Of the evening,
and President G. III. Spooner of Norwich
University. 1t is estimated that five
or six hundred people inspected the
building, In fact, the interest shown
was so noticeable that it was the occa-
sion for felieitation by State Superinten-
dent Ranger
The handsome structure presented q
gala appearance Saturday evening, ev-
cry room from basement to garret be-
ing brilliantly lighted by gas. The new
gas fixtures, for some reason, had not
come and so temporary fixtures had to
be put in hastily during the afternoon.
The haste in which they were installed
accounts for the escaping of gas, which
caused some annoyance. To add to the
appearance of the building the halls
and some of the rooms had been artis-
tically decorated by the teachers, and
the effect was very pleasing. The halls
were festooned by colored tissues, and
palms and potted plants added to the
general effect Two Of the rooms on the
first floor also showed the results of
decorate art. One Of them, with deco
rations in blue, received the name Blue
Room and also Hall Of Fame This
latter name was attached because the
blackboard contained the names Of all
the school commissioners the city has
ever had, twenty-one in number, each
nane encircled by laurel wreath, The
second room decorated was named the
Red Room" from the color of its deco
rations. On the blackboard Of this room.
Miss Badger, the drawing teacher, had
portrayed all the nine public school
buildings Of the city, while on the oppo-
site side of the room, in marked con-
trast, was a sketch of the primitive
little school house by the roadn The
other rooms of the building were left
just as they will be, to allow the par
ents to have an idea of the conditions
under which their children attend school.
The guests were received in the lower
hall BY B. w. Hooker, president Of the
board of school commissioners. and Mrs.
Hooker, Supt. o. d. Mathewson, after
whom the building was named and Mrs.
Mathewson, and C. Fl. White, first as
sistant in the high school, and Mrs.
White, the teachers being the committee
Of introduction. Then the guests were
free to go wherever they pleased and
to inspect everything connected with
she building. Dainty refreshments were
served by teachers, every hall and every
hall landing having its prettily arranged
booth. At intervals during the evening
strains Of music foated through the
building from young mems orchestra
which occupied d position on one Of
the first floor landings. The music added
greatly to the pleasure Of the evening.
A piano from the music room of II. A.
Could had been temporarily placed in
the building.
At nine o'clock short dedication exer-
cises were held, the addresses being given
from landing just above the first floor.
School Commissioner Hooker introduced
the speakers. The Rev. f. Al. Poole.
pastor of the Congregational church, of
fered prayer, and then Richard S. Cur
rier, who was formerly connected with
the public schools Of the city, was pre-
sented. 10 speak on the history Of the
apHnn{a HI "a ~. n,
traced the development OF the system
from the earliest beginnings to the pres.
ent day, covering q hundred years. He
divided the time into three periods: (11
From the early part of the nineteenth
the district school periodp (2) the
period from 1869 through two decades
to 1889, which he characterized as the
transition period and (3) from 1889
to the present time, the period which
has seen the development Of the Spauld-
ing graded school system.
Mr.. Currier told how there were
seven teachers and $50 scholars at
the beginning Of the last period
and how through the growth Of
the city there are now fifty teachers
and 1000 scholars. He said that the
city of Barre has expended $150,0O0 for
buildings and repairs in that period and
that with the exception of $4,000 there
u nothing outstanding. The high school
has also been developed. He combatted
the sometimes-heard cry Of expensive
ness by quoting few figures. The fig
ures showed that seven towns in Ver-
mont paid an average of $23.73 per
scholar; Barre paid an average of $l1.76,
and it is well known that Barre's schools
are second to none in the state. He
gave the credit for the excellent school
system to the citizens of the city and
the teachers. and among Tie lnttec lhinf