Dynamite Used to Blast at Hutchinson School in 1926 Caused Problems

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In the mid-to-late 1920s, Pelham schools were bursting at the seams with too many students in facilities that were too small.  The Hutchinson School in the Village of North Pelham was among the most over-stretched.  

In 1926, the Board of Education was engaged in a major initiative to remodel and expand the Hutchinson School by building a new wing on the east side of the school.  Construction of the new wing, however, was badly delayed when work on the foundation revealed that a huge amount of rock would have to be blasted away.

The contractor responsible for the excavation work was Smith Brothers Contracting Company of North Pelham.  Smith Brothers selected a blasting expert named Mariano Di Luccia to perform the work.  

As one might expect, the work was difficult and required extreme care.  Dynamite charges had to be placed with care and covered with tree trunks (known as "covering logs" and steel mats that were chained to protect against stray debris that might do damage in the surrounding residential neighborhood.

The first indications of a problem occurred during a blast early in the week of July 12, 1926.  Di Luccia exploded a charge at the site.  A rock hurtled through the veranda roof of a house on Fourth Street (today's Lincoln Avenue).  Another struck a home on Third Avenue.  

Then, on Wednesday, July 14, 1926, Di Luccia exploded another charge.  The blast was so violent that it "broke in two" a trolley standard that stood at Fourth Street (today's Lincoln Avenue) and Third Avenue and "sent rocks flying two and three hundred feet in all directions."  Members of the Village Board met with Lawrence Smith of Smith Brothers Contracting that day and extracted promises that greater care and more effective covering mats would be used to complete the work.  

A further blast on Thursday, July 15 was the last straw.  The huge blast "sent rocks, covering logs, steel mats and chains hurling across Third Avenue to the lawn in front of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Keller.  The sidewalk was broken and steps of the veranda damaged."  Village of North Pelham Trustees shut down the work pending selection of a different contractor to complete the work.

By the following week, a new dynamite handler had been selected and blasting resumed with no further damage to the surrounding neighborhood.  Yet, on Tuesday, July 20 another frightening event occurred.

Little Buddy Wood, five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Wood of 69 Sixth Street in North Pelham was playing among rocks in the neighborhood.  He noticed a strange round package, picked it up, and carried it home to his Mother.  He walked into the family home and proudly presented the horrified woman with a ten-inch-long stick of dynamite.  Mrs. Wood took the dynamite and contacted her husband who, upon his return home, carried the dynamite to the Village of North Pelham police for "safe keeping."  

A tragedy, it seems, had been averted.  According to the local newspaper, it was believed "that the dynamite was some of the stock used by contractors working in the vicinity, and had either been mislaid or carried to the place among the rocks by other children playing in the neighborhood."

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"DYNAMITE CHARGE DAMAGES HOME; CONTRACTOR'S PERMIT REVOKED
-----
Blasting Work at Hutchinson School Sends Rock, Tree Trunks and Mats Hurtling Against Keller Home on Third Avenue

The permit to blast rock at Hutchinson School on Fourth street, North Pelham, granted to Smith Brothers Contracting Co., has been revoked until such time as some other individual than Mariano Di Luccia conducts the work of blasting.

Yesterday afternoon a huge blast sent rocks, covering logs, steel mats and chains hurling across Third avenue to the lawn in front of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Keller.  The sidewalk was broken and steps of the veranda damaged.  Mrs. Keller, who was warned of the impending blast was nevertheless greatly frightened.

Wednesday afternoon a blast broke in two a trolley standard, at Fourth street and Third avenue, and sent rocks flying two and three hundred feet in all directions.  A few days ago a rock hurtled through the veranda roof of a house on Fourth street.  Another struck a home on Third avenue.  

Residents in the vicinity of the school are expressing grave fears for their own personal safety and are urging that something be done to eliminate the danger from the flying rocks which follow the blasts.

Village President Thomas J. James and Trustees Edward Dillon and Edward Harder after hearing complaints on Wednesday interviewed Lawrence Smith, member of the contracting company and demanded that greater care be observed.  Smith promised to provide heavier covering and mats.

When these proved ineffectual yesterday the village trustees refused further permission to carry on the work until another contractor is engaged for the blasting."

Source:  DYNAMITE CHARGE DAMAGES HOME; CONTRACTOR'S PERMIT REVOKED -- Blasting Work at Hutchinson School Sends Rock, Tree Trunks and Mats Hurtling Against Keller Home on Third Avenue, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 16, 1926, Vol. 17, No. 20, p. 1, cols. 6-7.

"Exercise More Care In Blasting Rock At Hutchinson School
-----
New Dynamite Handler Directing Blasts.  No Complaints of Damage During Week
-----

With a new dynamite handler on the job, the blasting operations at the Hutchinson School have been conducted with less danger to the surrounding territory during the week.  Following the hurling of missiles on the porches and roofs of dwelling houses in the vicinity of the school following the explosions the North Pelham Village Board demanded that the dynamite handler employed by Smith Bros., Contracting Co., who are doing the excavation work, be removed before blasting continued.  

Saturday morning Village President Thomas J. James, Trustee Edward J. Dillon, Attorney George Lambert and Engineer John F. Fairchild, in company with Lawrence Smith of the contracting company inspected the scene of the blasting and were informed another licensed blaster would do the work.

They watched the blasting work made ready and approved of the change.  There have been no complaints of danger during blasting operations this week.

'We don't want to delay the construction of the school building,' said President James, 'but it is most important that the citizens of the village be protected from injury from flying rock and timber."

Source:  Exercise More Care In Blasting Rock At Hutchinson School -- New Dynamite Handler Directing Blasts.  No Complaints of Damage During Week, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 23, 1926, Vol. 17, No. 21, p. 1, col. 1.  

"Dynamite Found By Youngster While At Play
-----
Five Year Old Buddy Wood Picks Up Ten Inch Stick of Dynamite on Sixth Street
-----
Believed to Have Been Explosive Mislaid by Contractors Blasting in Neighborhood
-----

A ten-inch stick of dynamite found among rocks blasted on Sixth Street fell into the hands of a five year old on Tuesday.  Disaster was averted, however, when the youngster brought the explosive into his home to show his mother, who quickly took it away from the child.

While playing opposite his home little Buddy Wood, five year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Wood of 69 Sixth Street, found a queer looking round package among the rocks.  Childlike, the youngster attracted by the strange article, picked it up and carried it away with him.  When he went into his house he showed his find to his mother, who recognized the paper wrapped package as dynamite, and she took it away from the child.

Mr. Wood, on returning home that night, took the explosive to North Pelham police headquarters where it was placed in safe keeping.  It is believed that the dynamite was some of the stock used by contractors working in the vicinity, and had either been mislaid or carried to the place among the rocks by other children playing in the neighborhood."

Source:  Dynamite Found By Youngster While At Play -- Five Year Old Buddy Wood Picks Up Ten Inch Stick of Dynamite on Sixth Street -- Believed to Have Been Explosive Mislaid by Contractors Blasting in Neighborhood, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 23, 1926, Vol. 17, No. 21, p. 1, col. 1.

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Pelham Schoolchildren Risked Their Lives Trying to Save Their Burning School in 1912

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Youngsters throughout the Village of North Pelham were snuggled in their beds sound asleep in the darkness of the opening moments of Sunday, February 18, 1912.  Shortly after midnight as the new day began, the village fire bells clanged an alarm, awakening everyone in North Pelham.  A fire was raging somewhere in the village!

Within minutes, North Pelham children and their parents scrambled into their clothes.  Neighbors ran into the streets.  Word began to spread like wildfire.  The newly-expanded $50,000 brick schoolhouse that served North Pelham that stood high on the hill where today's Hutchinson Elementary School stands was on fire.  Indeed, because the structure stood on a hill, the flames were visible from Eastchester, Mount Vernon, and North Pelham.

Almost spontaneously, hundreds of Pelham schoolchildren raced to their burning schoolhouse, followed frantically by their worried parents.  Children arrived just as Isaac C. Hill, proud principal of the newly-expanded school that was the pride of North Pelham, also arrived.  I. C. Hill had served as head of each of the predecessor schools that had stood on the site for the previous thirty-five years. 

Principal Hill quickly organized a group of older boys who were students at the school.  He and the makeshift group rushed into the burning building and made their way to his office.  There stood Principal Hill's prized desk.  It had been his desk at the school for as long as he had served at the various schools that had stood on the site.  He and the boys lifted it and maneuvered it outside where it could be saved.

At the same time, some students began working with their parents in a bucket brigade to toss pails of water onto the flames that quickly were consuming the building.  Other students were moving in and out of the burning building grabbing books, records, papers, desks, and anything else they could carry outside to save.  Still the persistent flames gnawed at the structure.

Firemen from North Pelham, Pelham Manor, and Mount Vernon arrived and began fighting the flames with steam boiler engines that pumped water in high streams onto the burning school.  The fight quickly became brutal.  

Because the fire on the crest of the hill could be seen for miles, a crowd gathered to gawk as the disaster unfolded.  According to one news account:  "the flames attracted a large crowd of people, many of whom rode in automobiles from Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and East Chester."

Though the firefighters fought bravely, soon the flames gained the upper hand.  As Pelham Manor firefighter Charles Geoffrey and Mount Vernon Engine Company No. 1 firefighter John Kern battled the fire adjacent to one of the brick walls of the building, the unthinkable happened.  The entire brick wall of the structure on that side collapsed.  One of the bricks struck Geoffrey on the wrist, severing an artery, a grave injury.  John Kern was on a ladder leaning against the wall when it collapsed.  As Kern and his ladder fell in the midst of the raining bricks, Kern received a "deep gash" in his head.  Both firefighters were pulled from the debris and bundled off to Mount Vernon Hospital where they were treated and recovered.

Soon it became apparent to all.  Saving the school building was a lost cause.  Eventually the burning mass simply burned itself out as the firefighters poured what water they could on the smoking hulk.  North Pelham's newly-expanded brick school building was a total loss.  The expanded structure was worth $50,000.  Apparently, however, it was still insured at its value before the expansion.  It was only insured for $22,000.

The Pelham Union Free School District No. 1 would have to build another structure for North Pelham schoolchildren.  Until then, the young students would have to be split into two groups with one group sent to an unoccupied residence in Pelham Heights on Highbrook Avenue that once had been used as a school.  The other group was housed in the new Town Hall of the Town of Pelham on Fifth Avenue completed barely two years earlier in late 1909.  

Below is an image of the expanded school building as it looked shortly before the fire.  The older part of the school is on the left of the image, somewhat in the rear.  The new expansion may be seen on the right in the foreground.

  This is the North Pelham School Building that Burned in 1912.

"Hutchinson School, No. 4, 1910-1912"  Source:  Montgomery,

William R., The Old Schoolhouse On The Hill - Pelhamville, The

Pelham Sun (Christmas Supplement), Dec. 17, 1926, p. 15, cols.

1-7.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The original part of the school building pictured above was the third version of the school built on the site.  Built in 1900 and opened in September of that year, it replaced an old wooden school building constructed in 1889.  The image immediately below shows the original part of the structure before it was expanded in 1910.  This part of the structure burned down as well during the 1912 fire.

The Original Portion of the Expanded North Pelham School

that Burned in 1912.  Source:  Montgomery, William R., The

Old Schoolhouse On The Hill - Pelhamville, The Pelham Sun

(Christmas Supplement), Dec. 17, 1926, p. 15, cols. 1-7.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

To learn more about the history of the Hutchinson Elementary School and its predecessors, see Thu., Sep. 18, 2014:  A History of the Hutchinson School and its Predecessors in Today's Village of Pelham Published in 1926.  

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Below is the text of a number of articles regarding the fire that burned the Hutchinson School on February 18, 1912.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"PUPILS HELP FIGHT FIRE
-----
Children Save Records as North Pelham School Burns.

Several hundred boys and girls aided I. C. Hill, principal of North Pelham Public School, in saving valuable records, books, papers and desks from a fire which destroyed the school early yesterday morning.  The building was new and cost nearly $50,000.  It was insured for $22,000.  The Pelham and Pelham Manor fire departments, as well as Engine Company 1, of Mount Vernon, helped fight the fire.

When the alarm was given it awakened the children, and as soon as they learned that their schoolhouse was on fire they hurriedly dressed and rushed to the scene, followed by their parents.  Mr. Hill was joined by some of the older boys and they were marshalled by him in line and rushed to his office.  A group of boys seized Mr. Hill's desk, which he prized very highly, and carried it to the street.  Before the firemen arrived boys and girls helped form a bucket line and tried to stop the spread of the flames.  From room to room corps of pupils rushed hither and thither picking up books, desks and other school paraphernalia, which they carried to the street.

The school building stood on the crest of a hill, and the flames attracted a large crowd of people, many of whom rode in automobiles from Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and East Chester.

The falling of one of the walls injured two firemen.  Charles Godfrey, of Pelham Manor, was struck by a brick, which cut an artery in his wrist, and John Kern, of Mount Vernon, was badly cut on the head and had to be taken to the Mount Vernon Hospital.

Some of the Pelham children will be allowed to enter the Pelham Heights School, while the others will be accommodated in the Town Hall until a new schoolhouse is erected."

Source:  PUPILS HELP FIGHT FIRE -- Children Save Records as North Pelham School Burns, New-York Tribune, Feb. 19, 1912, Vol. LXXI, No. 23,836, p. 1, col. 6.  

"PUPILS FIGHT SCHOOL FIRE.
-----
Leave Homes After Midnight and Risk Lives Rescuing Books.

MOUNT VERNON, N. Y., Feb. 18.  --  Several hundred boys and girls aided Principal I. C. Hill in saving valuable records, books, papers and desks from a fire which destroyed the North Pelham public school shortly after midnight.  The school, which was a new structure and cost nearly $50,000, was destroyed although the Pelham Manor fire department as well as Engine Company 1 of Mount Vernon fought hard to save the structure.

When the alarm was given it awakened the children and as soon as they learned that their schoolhouse was on fire they dressed and went to the scene, followed by their parents.  Principal Hill, who has been the head of the school for thirty-five years, was joined by some of the older boys and they were marshalled [sic] by him in line and rushed to his office.  A squad of pupils seized the old desk in front of which Mr. Hill has presided during all the years he has been principal and which he prized highly and carried it to the street.

Before the firemen arrived boys and girls had seized pails of water which they gave to their parents and in this manner tried to stop the spread of the flames.  Boys hurried from room to room, picking up books, desks and other school paraphernalia, which they took to the street.

The school building stood on the crest of a hill and the flames attracted a large crowd, many people driving in automobiles from Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and East Chester.  The falling of one of the walls injured two firemen.  Charles Geoffrey of Pelham Manor was struck by a brick, which cut an artery in his wrist, and John Kern, a member of Engine Company 1, of Mount Vernon was severely injured.  He was on a ladder when the wall caved in and he received a deep gash in his head.  The men were taken to Mount Vernon Hospital.

The building was insured for $22,000 on Wednesday."

Source:  PUPILS FIGHT SCHOOL FIRE -- Leave Homes After Midnight and Risk Lives Rescuing Books, The Sun [NY, NY], Feb. 19, 1912, Vol. LXXIX, No. 172, p. 1, col. 2.  

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Pelham Square Playground Built Behind Hutchinson Elementary School in 1932 After Seven Years of Effort

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On October 21, 1932, during the very depths of the Great Depression, five hundred Pelhamites gathered behind the Hutchinson School in the Village of North Pelham on land known as "Pelham Square."  In addition, the Pelham Memorial High School band led a march from the High School to the festivities at Pelham Square.  The gathering was to watch the unveiling of the newly-constructed recreational fields and playground behind the school -- facilities that are still used by the youth of Pelham today.

The back story behind the creation of those recreational fields and the playground is a story of perseverance and dedication by leaders of organizations throughout Pelham who sought to give the children of the Village of North Pelham an additional place to play.  Efforts to create the recreational facility took seven years -- not merely five years as reported in one article quoted below.

In 1925, Mrs. Frank Chaloux of the Village of North Pelham appeared before the Village Board and requested that "Pelham Square" behind the Hutchinson School be fitted up as a playground for local children at a cost of about $350.  The Village Board took the matter under advisement.  Little did anyone know that evening that the project would take seven years.

The immediate catalyst for the request was the fact that there was to be a six-week student program at the Hutchinson School during the summer of 1925.  The request seems to have languished and, once the immediate need passed, the proposal to create a simple playground died on the vine for a period of time.

Within two years, however, local officials took up the cause.  Despite grand plans, the onset of the Great Depression soon delayed any implementation of those plans.  

By 1931, the community and the School Board were ready for action.  The School Board appropriated the then-massive sum of $10,000 to grade the hilly and rocky location to create a combination football and baseball playing field and an area for a new playground.  

The project was slowed for nearly a year by four local homeowners who filed a lawsuit seeking to block the project.  Eventually, the homeowners conceded the futility of their challenge and abandoned their lawsuit.  

The School Board accepted a bid of $4,000 to perform the principal construction on the site.  An additional amount of about $1,300 was sent for new playground equipment.  Another additional sum was spent to fence the entire area.  The total cost was far below the $10,000 appropriated by the School Board.

Construction proceeded through the summer of 1932.  On October 21, 1932, the playground and recreational fields opened to wide acclaim.  The children of North Pelham had a new place to play -- a place on which children from throughout the Town of Pelham continue to play to this day.

Detail of 1908 Showing "Pelham Square" Behind Hutchinson School.

Fairchild, John F., Atlas of the City of Mount Vernon and the

Town of Pelham Second Edition. Compiled from Official Records,

Personal Surveys, and Other Private Plans and Surveys. 1908.

Compiled and Published John F. Fairchild. C.E. Civil Engineer

and Surveyor Engineering Building Mount Vernon, N.Y., Plate 26 (1908)

(Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library).

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"Playground At Pelham Square Asked By Women
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Mrs. Frank Chaloux Seeks Appropriation For Expert Supervision of Child Play in North Pelham
------

Mrs. Frank Chaloux, 530 Fifth avenue, appeared before the North Pelham village board Tuesday night with a request that Pelham Square in the rear of Hutchinson School be fitted up as a playground for the children of North Pelham.  

Mrs. Rosensheid, representing Mrs. Frank S. Marsh, chairman of the Westchester County Recreation Commission, told the board that an appropriation of $350 would be enough for the summer program.  She urged expert supervision of the playgrounds.  She said the county has established 22 playgrounds in Westchester County thus far and in each instance it has met the approval of the people.

President Thomas J. James said:  'I am personally in favor of doing all I can to make the Pelham Square presentable.  We must also bear in mind the County is to take a great deal of our land for park purposes and will have innumerable playgrounds.

Trustee Dillon suggested that the site on Sixth street, which is under consideration for a future school site be adapted for playground usage.  Mrs. Chaloux explained that the board of education has a six weeks summer course at the Hutchinson school and it would be necessary to have a building on the grounds during the summer months.  President James said the matter would be taken under consideration by the board of trustees and the women advised what could be done at a later date."

Source:  Playground At Pelham Square Asked By Women, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 10, 1925, p. 13, col. 1.  

"Children, Adults Mark Opening of Playground
-----
Pelham Square Land Is Dedicated -- Parade, Addresses Featured
-----

An outdoor audience of 500 made up of about 100 adults and 400 school children, attended dedication exercises yesterday afternoon at the new Pelham Square Playground at the Hutchinson School in North Pelham.  School Trustee William B. Shaw, chairman of the committee which arranged the exercises, presided.

Other speakers were Arthur S. Ives, president of the Board of Education; Joseph C. Brown, Superintendent of Schools and Mayor Edward B. Harder of North Pelham.  Guests of the committee included Mrs. Garabed Locke, chairman of the Hutchinson School group of the Parent Teachers Association; Mrs. Forrest M. Anderson, president of the Parent Teacher Association; William McNulty, president of the Pelham Lions Club; Mayor Lawrence F. Sherman of Pelham Manor; Harry J. Phillips, Village Engineer and other school board and village officials.  

Mr. Shaw sketched the history of the move to establish the playground.  He said the idea had been put under way five years ago, had been encouraged by former Mayor James Reilly and his Administration and had been brought to completion through the cooperation of Mayor Harder and the present village administration.

A parade of the Pelham Memorial High School Band from the high school building to the new playground was held before the ceremonies.  The band also played throughout the afternoon.  After speeches by officials the playground was inspected.

Later the facilities of the field were opened to the hundreds of children who played on swings and slides.  Many of the 'oldsters,' unable to resist the new and shiny equipment, entered into the fun with the children.  Mayor Harder, School Trustee George Lambert, Village Clerk George O'Sullivan and a number of the Lions Club members had their fill of fun on the slides and swings.

Work at the property since late in the Summer has transformed rocky, uneven land to level, graded areas.  An area large enough for football and baseball has been graded and put in finished shape and in addition another spacious section has been improved and equipped with a variety of equipment for the younger children.

The cost is expected to be well below the original $10,000 appropriated by the School Board, which accepted a bid for the main part of the construction of less than $4,000.  In addition, approximately $1,300 was expended for play equipment and the cost of the fence around the property also was extra.

Realization of the new improvement in the community was delayed a year by litigation, in which four owners of nearby property sought to prevent use of the land for playground purposes, but eventually abandoned their case.  The land was deeded to the School District by the Village of North Pelham."

Source:  Children, Adults Mark Opening of Playground, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 22, 1932, p. 11, col. 1.  

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Isaac C. Hill, Involved with Pelham Education for Forty-Five Years, Retired in 1922

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Isaac C. Hill was an important figure in the development and evolution of public education in the Town of Pelham.  I have written about Hill on a number of occasions.  For examples, see:

Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2005:  Isaac C. Hill's Reminiscences of Early Public Schools in Pelham.

Tue., Mar. 28, 2006:  More Reminiscences of Isaac C. Hill of Early Public Schools in Pelham.

Mon., Aug. 11, 2014:  Excerpts of January 8, 1889 Remarks Dedicating a New School Building in Pelhamville.

While there have been many devoted administrators, instructors, Board of Education members, and support personnel in the Pelham public school system during the last two hundred years, few have had the sort of long-term impact on the public schools and, more particularly, the school that we know today as Hutchinson Elementary School, that Isaac C. Hill had in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  

Hill retired from his position as "Supervising Principal" in the Pelham School system not long after a professional administrator was hired by the Board of Education at the time of the opening of the first Pelham High School (in a portion of the building that serves today as Siwanoy Elementary School) to oversee the entire school system.  

Hill was a beloved figure in the Pelham public school system for nearly fifty years.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of an article that appeared in The Pelham Sun on the occasion of Mr. Hill's retirement from the Board of Education in 1922..

Supervising Princcipal Isaac C. Hill.

"Retires After Many Years Of Devoted Service
-----
Isaac C. Hill, Connected with Pelham's Educational Institutions For Forty-Five Years
-----
Term of Office Extends Back to Time When Pelham Had Only Three Teachers On Staff
-----

The retirement of Isaac C. Hill from the Board of Education brings to a close a period of over forty-five years of devoted service in the cause of education in The Pelhams.  Back in the days of 1877, Mr. Hill came from Mount Vernon to become principal of the Prospect Hill school at Pelham Manor.  The school at that time was housed in a wooden shack on the Split Rock road and the staff consisted of Mr. Hill and one other.  About 20 pupils were then attending the school, many of them as old as the teacher himself.  They were graded and Mr. Hill taught five of the grades.  

After a year's work in Pelham Manor, in January 1878, he took charge of the Pelhamville school, which was then situated near the site of the present Hutchinson school, which was then situated near the site of the present Hutchinson school.  This was in the days when the schoolhouse was warmed by a huge heater in the center of the room and a water pail and tin dipper supplied the needs of the thirsty scholars.  The blackboards were painted on the wall.

From 1877 to 1914 Mr. Hill presided over the destinies of the Hutchinson school.  During that period he has seen the original building enlarged and later destroyed by fire, and the present structure erected.  

In 1913 Mr. Hill, who was then supervising principal, expressed a desire to retire from active school duty, but was requested by the Board of Education to continue for another year as supervising principal.  On his retirement in 1914, he was made the guest of honor at a public meeting, when the presentation of a diamond ring and an engrossed testimonial, as an appreciation of his services, was made to him, and at the same time Mrs. Hill was presented with a diamond brooch.  

Immediately following his retirement as supervising principal, Mr. Hill was appointed to the Board of Education and has held that position continuously until the present time.  The closing years of his service saw the erection of the new Memorial High School.  Thomas Hewitt was president of the Board when Mr. Hill first took office, Robert A. Homes being at the head of the school board when Mr. Hill retired.

The first Regents' graduaate from Hutchinson school was Attorney Harry A. Anderson who passed with honors in all divisions.  The first graduating class in 1889 consisted of his daughter, Ida, now wife of Supervisor David Lyon, and Mrs. Walter Barker.  Three generations of one family went through Hutchinson school during Mr. Hill's term of office -- the late Patrick Marvel, his daughter, Mrs. Rose McGuire, and her son.  

Mr. Hill achieved an enviable reputation for ability and conscientious effort during his term as principal.  Back in the '80s, when Joseph Wood was president of the Board of Education of Mount Vernon, the Pelham schools were held up as an example for Mount Vernon.

The conscientious performance of his duty is borne out by the fact that in the Hutchinson school three more subjects were taught in addition to those demanded by the curriculum.  How good that teaching was may be gathered from the fact that at least two of the pupils of Mr. Hill's regime are now in charge of New York high schools -- Miss Mary Conlon and Frederick Ernst.  During his thirty-seven years of duty as a member of the faculty only one complaint was ever made against Mr. Hill.  That occurred when he insisted that the child of a foreign-born resident learn to recite from memory the preamble to the Constitution.  The charge was made to the Board of Education, but the complainant neglected to appear at the hearing.  

'It's quite a long way back to 1877, when the staff of the Pelham schools was only three, to the present day, when the faculty numbers 54, isn't it?' a Sun reporter queried Mr. Hill at his Third avenue home.

'Yes,' replied Mr. Hill in a reminiscent tone.  'I remember well the first day I came from Mount Vernon to Pelham to take up the school duties.  A well-known resident met me on the street and inquired as to where I was going.  When I told him I was going to Pelham, he said 'Pelham!'  You'll never get along with them up there.  You'll stay about two days.'  And that,' Mr. Hill smiled, 'that was almost 46 years ago and I'm still in Pelham.'"

Source:  Retires After Many Years of Devoted Service -- Isaac C. Hill, Connected With Pelham's Educational Institutions For Forty-Five Years, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 5, 1922, p. 7, col. 1.  

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A History of the Hutchinson School and its Predecessors in Today's Village of Pelham Published in 1926

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Understanding the history of the Hutchinson School and its predecessors in the Village of Pelham can be maddeningly difficult particularly when dealing with old images of the various school buildings that have stood on the site of today's Hutchinson School.  Thankfully, in 1926 a former member of the Board of Education (and future Town Historian), William R. Montgomery, published a detailed history of the original one-room schoolhouse that stood on the site and each successive structure that stood there, together with images.  Montgomery's work has made it immensely easier for historians today to follow the evolution of the various school buildings that have been built on the site.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of Montgomery's article and includes a number of the images used in his article.  The text is followed by a citation to its source.

"The Old Schoolhouse On The Hill
Pelhamville
By Wm. R. Montgomery formerly a member of the Board of Education
Copyright

It might be of interest to state at the beginning of this article that a large part of North Pelham was originally owned by Colonel David I. Pell [sic, David J. Pell], who lived in the Old Stone House near Wolf's Lane, Pelham Manor.  The land adjacent to Hutchinson Creek was used as a stock farm and a race track.  On February 1, 1833, we find that the estate of Colonel David I. Pell [sic] sold part of this land to Anthony Wolf.  Mr. Wolf built a homestead where Fifth avenue and Third street intersect, and conducted a farm for many years until he sold it to the 'PELHAMVILLE VILLAGE ASSOCIATION' in 1851.  From that time a good part of what is now known as North Pelham was called Pelhamville.  Pelhamwood and Chester Park were not developed up to this time.  Pelhamville was owned by Col. Richard Lathers of New Rochelle, being part of the estate well known at that time as Winyah Park.

In 1896, a mass meeting was held in the Town Hall, North Pelham.  Mr. John H. Young acting as chairman and Mr. Isaac C. Hill as secretary, at which, after considerable discussion the proposition to incorporate the village was carried by a vote of 65 to 2 and the name PELHAMVILLE was changed to NORTH PELHAM.  Jacob Heisser was elected its first president.

In mapping out the original village of Pelhamville, a park was laid out, in size about 300 x 500 feet and named 'Pelham Square.'  This was located between Fourth and Fifth streets and Second and Third avenues.  For some years the children of this fast growing village had to go nearly two miles to the school on Split Rock Road in Pelham Manor, it being the only school house at that time in Union Free School District No. 1, the District No. 2 being City Island.

The inhabitants justly complained about the remoteness of the school and finally persuaded the trustees of the Pelhamville Village Association to deed part of the square previously mentioned to School District No. 1.  On November 19, 1860, a deed was duly executed for 250 x 150 feet of the 'Pelham Square' by the Hon. Lewis C. Platt of White Plains, and Mr. Henry Marsden of Brooklyn, as trustees, representing the Pelhamville Village Association to the Board of Education of Union Free School District No. 1 of the Town of Pelham, represented by the following trustees:

Rev. Wm. S. Coffey, Mr. Wm. S. McClellan, Mr. John M. Lockwood, Mr. James Hinman, Mr. Edward A. Campbell, Mr. J. W. Tavina.

We might add here the fact that in March, 1912, the title to this school site was pronounced perfect and was insured by the Lawyers Title Co., 160 Broadway, New York City.  This was necessary as the Board of Education intended issuing bonds to the extent of $25,000 covering the property.

In 1861 a school house was erected as pictured in Cut No 1.  This building was a typical school building of its period, one large room, poorly lighted and badly ventilated.  It was heated by a large round stove in the center, which nearly roasted those unfortunate enough to be near it, while giving no heat to those at a distance.

"PELHAM'S FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE"

Note:  This Is a Color Image Detail of the Painting of the

Pelhamville School House by Edward Penfield that

Appears as a Black and White Image at this Point

in Montgomery's Article.

We are greatly indebted to the late Mr. Edward Penfield, who after many months of research succeeded in drawing a picture of the old school house on the hill, as it probably looked at that time.  Cut No. 1 shows the porch which was added in 1873 and the room to the right added in 1875 for the primary department.

In 1874 a well was sunk at the foot of the stone steps leading up the hill to the school.  Previous to this time two boys were usually sent for a pail of water.  They would sometimes take this opportunity to waste a couple of hours of precious time.  Therefore the Board of Education decided to spend a few dollars of the taxpayers' money.  Even the emergency of the situation did not appeal to many of the taxpayers.  The estimate of the original cost of this school can be judged from the insurance policy taken out in 1867 for $1,200.

After the Civil War the Board of Education seems to have been a close family corporation judging from the names of the trustees:  

Mr. Peter Roosevelt, Mr. James W. Roosevelt, Mr. Fred Case, Sr., Mr. John Case, Mr. David Lyon, Sr., Mr. Joseph Lyon, Mr. Charles H. Roosevelt, Counselor; Mr. Elbert I. Roosevelt, Treasurer.

Many of the old records are missing and it is not possible to give the names of all the early teachers who taught in the old school house.  We are indebted to the late Mr. Wm. Allen Smith, President of the Board in 1888, and to Mr. Isaac C. Hill, for such as we have now.

The first teacher was Miss McClellan, 1861-1863; others were Mr. Watson E. Knox, Mr. Amos Towle, Mr. Gore, Mr. Orrin Baxxter, 1866; Mr. edward Gallagher, 1867-1869; Mr. Bartlett; Mr. Jared Barhete, 1869-1870.

Mr. Francis A. Lafferty was appointed in 1870 at a salary of $1,000 a year, and Mrs. Agnes Lafferty, Nov. 17, 1871, as an assistant at a salary of $200 a year.  The first night school was held for four weeks, from Nov. 21, 1870, also for the month of January, 1871.  Mr. Lafferty was appointed teacher at one dollar a night.  This night school was a success and the Board of Education on Nov. 6, 1871, directed Mr. Lafferty to open it again for a period of 100 nights, for which he would be paid $100 in addition to his salary.  The Board also ordered that a fee of two dollars be paid in advance for all persons of 21 years and over who attended the school.  Mr. Lafferty retired in 1872 and the following teachers came after him:  Mr. Charles J. Carlisle, 1872; Mr. D. H. Campbell, 1873; Mr. L. Reynolds, 1873; Mr. Thomas C. Clark, 1873.

On January 9, 1874, Mr. Clark made the first report that we have been able to locate.  'The number of pupils in Pelhamville school registered was 48 with an average attendance of 84 per cent.  Miss S. H. Sparkks was appointed assistant teacher.  Mr. Clark resigned Deember 31, 1877.  We come now to the period of our most successful teacher, Mr. Isaac C. Hill, who was transferred from the school in Pelham Manor on the Split Rock Road and assumed charge on January 7, 1878.  Mr. Hill was succeeded in the Pelham Manor School by our esteemed citizen, Mr. John M. Shinn.  The Pelhamville School had evidently declined in so far as the number of pupils were concerned, as we find in Mr. Hill's first report April, 1878, the average attendance was 39.  The December record, however, showed an improvement, the average being 53.  Miss Kate Donlon was appointed assistant teacher in 1878.  At the annual meeting which was held October 8, 1878, a large bell was voted for and the same was bought from Fairbanks & Co., for $71.  It is interesting to note here that the total budget in 1884 for the three schools, one at Pelhamville, one at Pelham Manor and one at Bartow in the old Town Hall, was $4,135.  [NOTE:  This is the first reasonably reliable secondary source reference I have seen confirming that the old Town Hall that once stood on today's Shore Road was used as a school house to serve the children of the tiny settlement of Bartow-on-the-Sound, at least during the year 1884.]  

The question of the education of the youth has been uppermost in the minds of the people since the original settlement of Pelham.  The span of 66 years, since the first house of Pelhamville was erected, has been a complete revolution in the education of the children; from the old Red School House of a single room and one teacher to the massive structure of Hutchinson School, containing 20 rooms or more, with its large corps of teachers.

The Old Red School House had some advantages as well as many handicaps.  One outstanding advantage was the fact that the school master had complete supervision over the child from the lowest class until he graduated.  He knew the pupil and he knew his weak points as well as his strong ones, which is not possible under the larger system.  It was under the above conditions that Mr. Hill made such a successful teacher, beloved by all his pupils.  Mr. Hill had full supervision over the course of studies until about 1905, when the State adopted a syllabus for all schools.

The school became so crowded, however, that even the window sills had to be used to seat the pupils.  It was not until Dec. 20, 1887, that the Board of Education decided that a new building was needed.  

A special meeting of the voters of the District was held in the Pelham Manor School on May 8, 1888.  Rev. C. Winter Bolton was elected chairman, and Mr. Henry E. Dey as clerk of the meeting.  

The district voted $6,000 for the erection of a new school building at Pelhamville.  On May 15, 1888, a building committee was appointed consisting of Mr. Robert C. Black, Mr. E. H. Gurney, and Mr. Henry N. Babcock.  The architect selected was Mr. F. C. Merry.  

The new school (see Cut. No. 2) was completed at a cost of about $6,500, the size of the building being 67.4 x 64 x 58.  It was finally dedicated with much ceremony.  The terra cotta tablet which was placed on the building to the right of the entrance, is now set in the south wall of the assembly room of the present Hutchinson building.  This tablet bears the following inscription:

Union Free School District No. 1
Town of Pelham, Erected 1888.
Trustees:
Wm. Allen Smith
E. H. Gurney
Frank Beattie
Robert C. Black
Wm. Barry
H. N. Babcock 
Architect, F. C. Merry
Masons, John New & Son
Carpenter, James Thompson

"HUTCHINSON SCHOOL, No. 2, 1889-1900"

Source:  Montgomery, William R., The Old Schoolhouse On
The Hill - Pelhamville, The Pelham Sun (Christmas Supplement),
Dec. 17, 1926, p. 15, cols. 1-7.

We reproduce here for future reference the program of this eventful occasion:

(1) Prayer, Rev. C. Winter Bolton.
(2) Hymn, 'Father in Heaven,' by the children of the district.
(3) Address, Wm. Allen Smith, president of the Board of Education.
(4) Chorus, 'The Mellow Horn,' by the pupils.
(5) Class Exercises, conducted by Principal I. C. Hill and Miss Julia L. Wilson, assistant teacher.
  (a) Algebra, Class A.
  (b) Grammar Analysis, Class B.  Chorus, 'Aim High,' by the pupils; Miss Rachael Heisser at the organ.
  (c) Reading, Primary Class C.
  (d) Arithmetic Fractions, Class B.
(6) Chorus, 'Sweet and Low,' by the pupils.  Miss Ida E. Hill at the organ.
(7) Address, Jared Sandford, School Commissioner.
(8) Chorus, 'Chiming Bells,' by the pupils.
(9) Address, Rev. D. N. Freeland.
(10) Benediction, Rev. Charles Higbie [sic].

President Smith in his address, spoke of how much the district needed the new building and brought out many interesting facts regarding the history of the school in the village of Pelhamville.

School Commissioner Jared Sandford was then introduced by President Smith.  It might be interesting to state here that this ceremony was the only dedication of a school building which Commissioner Sandford had the pleasure of attending in the seven years he was commissioner.  It is quite evident that building school houses was not a popular occupation in those days.  Mr. Sanford delivered a very interesting address on this occasion.  We quote from the Mount Vernon Chronicle, January 11, 1889, the following, relative to the town of Pelham:

'The material wealth and prosperity of the district warranted the inhabitants in indulging themselves with pleasant and commodious school surroundings.  Good school buildings, good teachers, and the best teaching add greatly to the prosperity, moral worth and greatness of communities, and contribute to the true glory of the State.'

Commissioner Sandford completing his address paid a glowing tribute to Principal I. C. Hill for his great work in building up a most efficient school.

After the exercises were completed a very welcome surprise was in store for the townspeople.  A reception committee consisting of Mrs. I. C. Hill, Mrs. E. H. Gurney, Mrs. J. Waugh, Mrs. Robert H. Scott, Mrs. R. C. Black, Mrs. Geo. Pearson, Mrs. Wm. Allen Smith, Mrs. A. Anderson, and Mrs. T. Scott were busy in the old school (Cut No. 1) which was only a few feet north of the new one, preparing a fine collation which was served for the benefit of the inner man.  This affair lasted until early in the morning, every one going home happy, and glad that he was a Pelhamite.

In September, 1889, there were 59 pupils enrolled with Mr. I. C. Hill as principal, and Miss Julia L. Willson, assistant teacher.

The new school house (Cut No. 2) was greatly admired, and many came from all parts of the State to see the arrangement of rooms.

Notwithstanding the appearance of great durability, many questioned the safety of the roof and the architect was finally ordered to add more uprights to support it.  The building had no lighting system and oil lamps were bought in 1891 at a cost of $12.  A new pump was installed in the building.  In 1891 the Board of Education insured this building for $5,000.  

Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Hill, in 1892, arranged an entertainment for the purpose of raising funds to buy a flag pole and flag.  The pole and flag were dedicated with patriotic ceremonies on July 4, 1892, and many of the leading citizens of the county were present.  This flag pole was placed directly in front of the entrance and was supposed to have been incentive for the Legislature of the State of New York passing a flag law:  Chapter 222 Laws of 1895.:  'Compelling school authorities to display the U.S. Flag on or near school hours on fair days and holidays, also specifying the standard sizes required as follows:  Garrison Flag, 36x20; Post Flag, 20x10; Storm Flag, 8x4 1/2.

The newly formed Fire Department of Pelhamville requested permission of the Board to use the school bell in case of fire, which was granted on March 7, 1893.

Still Pelhamville kept on growing and it was necessary in 1894 to make a new class room in the building and two more in 1897.  There were 147 pupils attending the Pelhamville school in 1899.

Nothwithstanding the continual increase of pupils and the lack of proper accommodations for them, their high scholarship was not in any way interfered with.  It is refreshing to read at times, what others outside of our own school system had to say especially one who was acknowledged as a leader among school men.  Mr. Joseph S. Wood, president of the Mount Vernon Board of Education, made a most extensive survey of the schools in the State, especially those of Mount Vernon.  He delivered a most interesting address on August 9, 1898, in which he said:  

'Recently four pupils have applied for admission to the High School (Mount Vernon) from the public school at North Pelham.  Every one of them passed the required examinations and was admitted.  They came from a school which has only four teachers and only 125 pupils on register.  They have been taught not only the studies taught in our Mount Vernon grammar schools, but algebra through quadratic equations and bookkeeping.  Their average age is thirteen years.  

'Why can't the pupils in our (Mount Vernon) schools be taught as much in the same time.  It would seem that the larger the school and greater the number of pupils, the longer it takes to complete the course of study.

'The average age of graduation from the North Pelham School is 13 years and from the Mount Vernon Schools 15 years.  This loss of two years in each child's life not only discourages the parents and the children, and prevents the latter from obtaining all the benefits our grammar schools and high schools afford, but it causes an immense loss of money as well as of time and energy.'

President Wood's address created quite a sensation in Mount Vernon at the time, as he was recognized as an authority on school matters.  Although no public report was given out concerning the High School entrance examinations in 198 [sic], rumors were freely circulated in Mount Vernon that North Pelham's four pupils were first, second, third and fourth out of a class of about 30.  This of course is only conjecture.  At that time Pelham, having no High School of its own, sent pupils to Mount Vernon and New Rochelle upon their graduation from its grammar schools and paid their tuition.  

The village of Pelhamville seemed to be determined to worry the Board of Education by outgrowing School No. 2, and it was necessary to call a special meeting on May 5, 1900, for the purpose of issuing four bonds of 41,000 each, to build an annex to the school.  We will not go into the details of this meeting, except to state that the proposition was lost by a vote of 31 to 4.

A resolution was passed at the meeting requesting the Board to prepare estimates and plans for an additional story with a new roof and submit the same at a special meeting to be held June 12, 1900.  

On June 12th the District meeting was duly held with Mr. H. G. K. Heath, president of the Board of Education in the chair, and Mr. Harry A. Anderson acting as clerk.

The Board of Education submitted a proposition to issue 10 bonds of $1,000 each for the purpose of adding a new story to the school from the plans made by Mr. A. G. C. Fletcher.  This proposition was likewise defeated and the Board of Education asked to call another meeting, for the purpose of voting $6,000 for the enlargement of the school.

In compliance, the Board called a special meeting on July 10, 1900, to be held in the North Pelham School.  Hon. Benjamin L. Fairchild was elected chairman, and Mr. S. Gregor, clerk; 75 votes were cast, 58 were in favor of the proposition and 17 opposed it.

It might be well to mention here that at the same time in 1900 the Board of Education was increased to 7 members, formerly being only 6; 3 from Pelham Manor and 3 from North Pelham, the new one representing the then growing village of Pelham (Heights).  Later at a special district meeting held in 1906 two additional trustees were added, so that the village of Pelham (Heights) would have the same representation as North Pelham and Pelham Manor.

No time was lost in building an addition to school (No. 2) and it was completed by September, 1900 (see Cut No. 3).  This building was insured for $12,000.

"HUTCHINSON SCHOOL, No. 3, 1900-1910"

Source:  Montgomery, William R., The Old Schoolhouse On

The Hill - Pelhamville, The Pelham Sun (Christmas Supplement),

Dec. 17, 1926, p. 15, cols. 1-7.

The following teachers were engaged for the school year of 1903, which will give an idea of the then prevailing salaries:

Mr. Isaac C. Hill. . . . . . . . . . $1,200
Miss Mina S. Ferman. . . . . .      700
Miss Flora Bass. . . . . . . . . .       600
Miss Etta M. Bornt. . . . . . . .       600
Miss Maria T. Raynes. . . . .        400

Again the question of additional room came up and in August, 1909, President R. A. Holmes Recommended an addition to the school (Cut No. 3) and the Board of Education voted to call a special meeting for May 13, 1910, for the purpose of voting a bond issue of $20,000.  Unfortunately there was an error in the publication of the legal notice.  

Another district meeting was called therefore, to be held June 10, 1910, for the purpose of voting the bond issue of $20,000.  The proposition was unanimously carried, the vote being 31 in favor.

The Building (Cut No. 3) was enlarged and opened in September, 1910, (see Cut No. 4), but was only used a short time, when for reasons unknown, it burned down on February 17, 1912.  In the meantime the pupils were taught in the Highbrook Avenue School, which then was unoccupied, also at the Town Hall in North Pelham.

"Hutchinson School, No. 4, 1910-1912"

Source:  Montgomery, William R., The Old Schoolhouse On

The Hill - Pelhamville, The Pelham Sun (Christmas Supplement),

Dec. 17, 1926, p. 15, cols. 1-7.

As every one was most anxious to see a new building erected quickly, the Board of Education submitted at the annual meeting, May, 1912, a proposition to issue bonds to the amount of $25,000 to build on the old foundations of the burned school.  This proposition was carried by a vote of 135 to 2.  But the old saying 'more haste less speed' 'was truly exemplified when Adams & Co., who purchased the bonds refused them on the ground that the advertisement appeared only 3 times, the law stipulating 4 public notices of bond issues.

This unfortunate error turned out, however, for the best, as the Board of Education, after further investigation, decided to increase the size of the proposed building.  At a special district meeting held September 20, 1912, the Board presented a resolution calling for an issue of bonds to the amount of $40,000, which was carried by a vote of 70 to 62.  Hemingway & Rohrs, local builders, were awarded the contract.

Mr. Isaac C. Hill reported that the school opened September, 1913, with 228 children,, including 22 for kindergarten.   

On September 9, 1913, the new school (see Cut No. 5), by a vote of the children was to be known as HUTCHINSON SCHOOL in memory of that illustrious woman, Anne Hutchinson, who settled in this vicinity in 1642.

About this time Pelham was honored by having this school selected by School Inspector S. J. Preston as an ideal place to hold the Annual Teachers' meeting for the first district, on Nov. 14, 1913.

Hutchinson School was not dedicated, however, until January 1914.  Not only was the assembly room crowded but both halls adjacent to it were likewise filled with people anxious to hear Dr. John H. Finley, then State Commissioner of Education, and Mr. Thomas W. Church, President of the New York Board of Education.  

Hutchinson School filled the requirements of North Pelham from 1913 until recently (1926) when the Board of Education decided to build a large addition which is in course of construction.

Before concluding, permit me to voice the feelings of those who attended the old school house on the hill and extend to Isaac C. Hill, one of the last of the old schoolmasters, the sincere thanks of a grateful community.

We hope that his days may be long so that his light shall still shine for many years to come, an example of loyalty, fidelity and uprightness, for the benefit of the youth of today."

Source:  Montgomery, William R., The Old Schoolhouse On The Hill - Pelhamville, The Pelham Sun (Christmas Supplement), Dec. 17, 1926, p. 15, cols. 1-7. 

*            *            *            *             *

Below are a few of the many examples of previous postings to the Historic Pelham Blog that deal with the history of schools and education in The Pelhams.

Tue., Aug. 12, 2014:  The Laying of the Foundation Stone at Prospect Hill School on Sunday, June 9, 1929.

Mon., Aug. 11, 2014: Excerpts of January 8, 1889 Remarks Dedicating a New School Building in Pelhamville.

Fri., Aug. 08, 2014: 1894 Pelham School Budget Vote: Stage Coach Authorized To Transport Pelham Students in Days Before Autos and Buses.

Thu., Mar. 27, 2014: The "Industrial School at Pelham" Hosted by Christ Church in 1884.

Tue., Mar. 11, 2014: An Early History of Mrs. Hazen's School For Girls in Pelham Manor, Published in 1913.

Mon., Mar. 10, 2014: Dedication of Pelham's New High School in 1911, Now Known as Siwanoy Elementary School.

Tue., May 11, 2010: Mystery Solved - Pelham Town Hall That Once Stood On Shore Road Was Used as a School.

Wed., Mar. 31, 2010: Request for Comment: What Pelham Manor School is This, Shown in 1907?

Tue., Feb. 23, 2010: A Brief History of the Development and Unveiling of Parkway Field in 1955 -- Known Today as Glover Field.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010: Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

Thu., Feb. 04, 2010: Successful Appeal of Order Dividing the Union Free School District No. 1, Town of Pelham, Into Two School Districts in 1916.

Wed., Jan. 13, 2010: Celebration to Lay the Cornerstone of the New Pelham Memorial High School Building on October 18, 1919.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2009: Late 19th Century Photos of Students with Tennis Rackets at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Jan. 20, 2009: An Account of the Rev. J. L. Ver Mehr Regarding His Brief Stint as an Instructor of French and Italian at Pelham Priory in 1843.

Mon., Mar. 3, 2008: 1891 Advertisement May Reflect Summer Rental of One of the Dormitories of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Mon., Feb. 25, 2008: Town of Pelham School Board Trustee Election of 1881.

Wed., Feb. 20, 2008: Pelham Teachers Threatened to Strike for a Pay Increase in 1906 -- All Eleven Of Them.

Tue., Jan. 22, 2008: Townspeople of Pelham Vote Down Bond Proposal at the First Prospect Hill School in 1891.

Wed., Nov. 14, 2007: 1890 Advertisement for Taft's School for Boys in Pelham Manor.

Thu., Jul. 12, 2007: The Infamous Burglary of the Girls of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor in 1905.

Wed., Jun. 06, 2007: Proposed Layout of the Grounds of Pelham Memorial High School in 1920.

Mon., Apr. 16, 2007: History of Pelham Schools on the Web Site of the Pelham Union Free School District.

Thu., Apr. 5, 2007: A Brief History of Early Schools in the Manor of Pelham and Surrounding Areas Published in 1905.

Fri., Mar. 2, 2007: A Brief Account by American Author Margaret Deland of Her Education at Pelham Priory in the 19th Century.

Mon., Jan. 15, 2007: Brief Biographies of Henry Waters Taft and Horace Dutton Taft of Pelham Manor (and Other Family Members).

Tue., Jan. 02, 2007: The Little Red Schoolhouse In Pelhamville -- Predecessor to Today's Hutchinson Elementary School.

Wed., Sep. 6, 2006: Pelham Hall Shelter, a "Refuge for Erring Girls", Founded by Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Aug. 22, 2006: Early Advertisements for Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Wed., May 31, 2006: Two Views of the Pelhamville School House Built in the 1850s.

Tue., May 30, 2006: A Biography Published in 1906 on the Life of Horace Dutton Taft, Founder of the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor.

Wed., May 24, 2006: Program for January 8, 1889 Opening of the Hutchinson School in Pelhamville.

Tue., Mar. 28, 2006: More Reminiscences of Isaac C. Hill of Early Public Schools in Pelham.  

Mon., Jan. 09, 2006: The First Prospect Hill School in Pelham Manor.

Fri., Oct. 14, 2005: A Reunion of Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Mon., Oct. 03, 2005: Siwanoy School -- The Town of Pelham's Former High School.

Tue., Sep. 27, 2005: I. C. Hill's Reminiscences of Early Public Schools in Pelham.

Mon., Aug. 15, 2005: 952 Pelhamdale Served as a 19th Century School for Girls, Then a School for Boys.

Mon., May 09, 2005: The Historic Murals in the Pelham Memorial High School Library.

Bell, Blake A., Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls: Pelham Hall, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 40, Oct. 8, 2004, p. 12, col. 1. 

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