Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A 1910 Real Estate Puff Piece About "The Pelhams" -- Description of the Attractions of the Three Villages of the Pelhams Published in 1910


In 1910, the Town of Pelham and the three Villages within the town were on the cusp of tremendous growth.  The population of the Town was about 2,500.  The New York, Westchester & Boston Railway was about to open a line through North Pelham.  Additionally, that Village was about to construct a new sewer system.  The new development of Pelhamwood was being planned and constructed.  Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights were expanding.  The local trolley system was being expanded.  In short, the entire Town of Pelham was on a trajectory of growth.

Real estate developers were touting the benefits of the area:  its beauty, its convenience, its healthfulness, and the attractiveness of a suburban lifestyle.  In 1910, an extensive real estate puff piece appeared in The Daily Argus published in Mount Vernon.  The article comprises a fascinating snapshot of the three villages and the Town at a moment in time when growth was set to explode.  Thus, today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of the entire article and provides several of the images that appeared with the article.  

"THE MANY ATTRACTIONS OF THE THREE VILLAGES AND THE TOWN OF PELHAM.
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North Pelham, Feb. 9.--The town of Pelham, which includes the three villages of North Pelham, Pelham and Pelham Manor, familiarly known as 'The Pelhams,' constitutes another one of those delightful suburban residential sections of Westchester county.  It has a population of about 2,500, and is located half way between the cities of Mount Vernon and New Rochelle on the main line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad.  The extreme easterly section of the town, comprising the village of Pelham Manor, overlooks Long Island Sound.  [Through] this village also runs the Harlem River division of the New Haven railroad system.  

Beautifully situated as it is with attractive streets, fine residences, excellent railroad and trolley facilities, a modern school system and well protected by up-to-date police and fire departments, Pelham offers every inducement to the commuter to locate in this part of the county, away from the bustle and dust of the city.

As one leaves the train at the North Pelham station, he will noticeto the right the attractive residential section of Pelham Heights, where the houses are half hidden from view by beautiful shade trees and are constructed for the most part on eminences of rock.

Directly opposite Pelham Heights he will see North Pelham and its recently developed section, which has been converted into a park, and where it is said some fifty new houses will be erected the coming year.

The three villages are a credit to the county.  North Pelham is populated for the most part by commuters, as are Pelham Heights and Pelham Manor.  The houses are not as costly in their construction as are those of the other two villages, but they are well built and attractive in appearance.  New residences are continually being built.  North Pelham is growing rapidly.  



The Lyceum, North Pelham.

Unlike the other two villages with the exception of a part of Pelham, the village of North Pelham contains a main business thoroughfare.  On this street are the Lyman block, near the passenger station; the new town hall, which has just been completed, and the new fire headquarters, and several brick buildings and apartment houses.

One of the pretty residential sections of the village of North Pelham is Chester Park, which has witnessed during the past few years much development.

From a real estate standpoint, the important features for the village of North Pelham the past year were the construction of and completion of the new town hall, which is a concrete building with attractive architectural features, and the completion of the Pelham club house and Masonic hall, the dedication of which took place last November.  Several new houses have been erected in the village.  

North Pelham has two lodges, one of which is Winyah Lodge of Masons, while the other is an order of Red Men, instituted a few months ago.

The village of Pelham contains that restricted and beautiful residential section known as Pelham Heights, which is also rapidly growing.  A writer describes the place as follows:  'Pelham Heights grew not with a boom, but with the right kind of houses and residents.  Before a plot was offered for sale, a complete sewerage system was constructed, with trunk line sewer to tide water.  A separate drainage system was also provided.  Streets and avenues were macadamized; gas, water and electric light were introduced.  The unprecedented situation thus created, a village with every improvement but free from debt, soon attracted the attention of adjoining localities.  In the Mount Vernon papers editorials appeared advocating annexation and the mayor of the city recommended annexation in official communications to the board of aldermen.  Pelham Manor sought also to include Pelham Heights within its boundaries.  Pelham Heights has now a population of some 500 or more.  Restrictions apply not only to the building lots, but also to the streets and avenues in Pelham constructed by Mr. Fairchild's company, the Pelham Heights company, have been dedicated to the billage as parkways with restrictions forbidding nuisances.  These restrictions are perpetual and the right to enforce them belongs to every abutting property owner.

The other village in the town is that of Pelham Manor.  This, too, is a residential municipality.  The residences are possibly a little more pretentious than those in the Heights, as the plots are much larger.  The streets are wider and in some places are boulevards.  The two most important streets are the Pelhamdale avenue and the Esplanade, along which there are many beautiful residences.  Pelham Manor has a well constructed village hall, which houses the street, fire and police departments and contains offices for the village officials.



Public School No. 1, North Pelham.

The town of Pelham has a number of social organizations and clubs.  The most important in the village of North Pelham are the Pelham club, which owns its buildings and holds every year many important social functions.  Then there are smaller clubs in the village, such as the Tuesday club and the Mezercon Social Club, organizations composed of ladies.

In Pelham Manor one finds the Pelham Manor golf club, which occupies a fine club house and has tennis courts and a golf course; the Pelman Manor club, which owns and occupies a pretty house on the Esplanade.  The New York Athletic Club, of course, has its buildings and grounds in the town of Pelham, in the village of Pelham Manor, just off the Shore Road.

There are five churches in the town of Pelham, as follows:  North Pelham -- Church of the Covenant, Congregational, Rev. Wayland Spaulding, pastor; Church of the Redeemer, Episcopal, REv. H. H. Brown, rector; St. Catherine's church, Catholic, Rev. Francis McNichol, pastor.  Pelham Manor -- Huguenot Presbyterian church, Rev. Lewis Gaston Leary, Ph. D., pastor; Christ Episcopal church,, Rev. A. F. Tenney, rector.  These churches are all well constructed buildings and attractive in their architectural effects.

There are two fire departments in the town.  One is that of the first fire district, which protects property in the villages of North Pelham and Pelham.  This department has three excellent pieces of apparatus, as follows:  A well equipped hose wagon; a modern engine and up-to-date truck.  A team of horses has recently been purchased by the fire commissioners of the first, fire district for the department.  The department is housed in its own building on Fifth avenue, between Third and Fourth streets.  The two companies are the Liberty Hose and Engine Company and the Relief Hook and Ladder Company.  The fire commissioners of the district are President Paul A. Heubner and Commissioners Michael J. Woods, former president of the board, Philip Godfrey, Frank Chalou and George Boldin.

The other department is in Pelham Manor.  The firemen there are wealthy commuters, but they are never afraid to turn out.  They have only a hose reel and truck.  The chief of the department is Village President W. P. Brown.

The town of Pelham is alternately Democratic and Republican in politics.  It has witnessed many 'hot' elections, and there have been many political upheavals in the town.  The board is now tied, the supervisor, Edgar C. Beecroft, who was re-elected last November, the town clerk and one justice of the peace being Democratic, while there are still three Republican justices of the peace in the board, two holdovers, Judges Kilvert and Karbach, and one elected, Wolcott Robbins.  The Democratic judge is J. F. Curnen, who was also elected last November.  



Congregational Church, North Pelham.

Politics does not play an important part in the life of the citizens of either Pelham or Pelham Manor in village matters.  Both parties agree on a ticket and the spring elections are as a rule a mere formality.  there have been ties at the election in Pelham when not more than 30 votes will be cast out of many more times that number of voters.  Last year, however, two tickets were in the field and there was a contest, but it was not along political lines.  The same conditions exist in Pelham Manor, and sometimes there is a contest there.

But the situation is far different in North Pelham.  That village may be justly called the hot-bed of politics in the town of Pelham.  Each spring there is always an exciting election, and this year there is every indication that there will be more excitement than ever.  The aggressive president of North Pelham is James Reilly, who has been elected twice on an Independent ticket, once against the combined tickets of the Republican and Democratic parties, and twice on the Republican ticket.  The trustees are David Lyon and Maus [sic].  The president of Pelham is S. N. White, and the chief executive of Pelham Manor is W. P. Brown, and the trustee is Lewis Francis.

The town of Pelham has just become a part of the postal system of the city of New York, and hereafter the two offices in Pelham Manor and North Pelham will be branches of the New York postoffice.  It is not known as yet how many carriers there will be in the town.  

The railroad and trolley facilities are up-to-date.  The Webster avenue trolley line connects the North Pelham line with New Rochelle directly; the North Pelham line connects with the city of Mount Vernon and all points south; the Pelham Manor cars connect with the New Rochelle line, which is operated through the village of Pelham Manor by the way of Pelhamdale avenue.  The main line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad passes through the town, the main station being located in North Pelham, while the Harlem River road goes through Pelham Manor.  A passenger station was recently completed there with subways and every modern convenience.  

There is but one important industry in the town of Pelham, and that is located in the village of North Pelham.  It is the Sanborne Map Co.  It employs several hundred persons and has a finely equipped plant at the extreme end of Fifth avenue, being located in modern concrete buildings, which were completed only three years ago.  A new industry, the Westchester County Brewing and Ice Company, is now being built.  

The future of the town from a real estate standpoint is most encouraging and promising.  Greaat developments are expected, and it is believed that during the next five years many fine residences will be erected.  The village of North Pelham is about to begin the construction of its sewer system, the completion of which will mean much for the growth of the village.

The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway extends through the villages of North Pelham, and the building of this line will also be the means of developing the villages and will increase the facilities for travel."

Source:  THE MANY ATTRACTIONS OF THE THREE VILLAGES AND THE TOWN OF PELHAM, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 9, 1910, p. 11, cols. 1-5.  


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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

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


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.
(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
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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
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Pelham Square Land Is Dedicated -- Parade, Addresses Featured
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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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Monday, January 12, 2015

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


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
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Isaac C. Hill, Connected with Pelham's Educational Institutions For Forty-Five Years
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Term of Office Extends Back to Time When Pelham Had Only Three Teachers On Staff
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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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Friday, November 14, 2014

1888 Notice of Sale of Bonds to Fund Construction of Second Hutchinson School in Pelhamville


By 1887, the tiny one-room schoolhouse built in 1861 to serve the growing community of Pelhamville was so overcrowded that, according to one account, even the window sills were used to seat pupils.  On December 20, 1887, the Board of Education of the Union Free School District No. One of the Town of Pelham decided that a new school 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 was completed at a cost of about $6,500, the size of the building being 67.4 x 64 x 58.

I have written before about the history of the public schools that have served the community of Pelhamville, later the Village of North Pelham and, even later, the northern sector of today's Village of Pelham.  See, e.g.Thu., Sep. 18, 2014:  A History of the Hutchinson School and its Predecessors in Today's Village of Pelham Published in 1926.

The Board of Education sold $6,000 of ten-year school bonds with interest at four percent per annum paid semi-annually to fund the project.  On May 29, 1888, a "Notice of Sale of Bonds" appeared in at least one New York City newspaper announcing the plans to sell the bonds and soliciting proposals for purchases of the bonds.  An image of the Notice appears immediately below followed by a citation to its source as well as a transcription of its text to facilitate search.



1888 Notice of Sale of Bonds to Fund Construction
of Hutchinson School No. 2 to Replace the Original
One-Room Schoolhouse Built in 1861.  Source:  Union
Free School, District No. One, Town of Pelham, Westchester
Co., N. Y.  NOTICE OF SALE OF BONDS [Advertisement],
The Evening Post, May 29, 1888, Vol. 87, Last Edition, p. 5, col. 6.  

"Union Free School, District No. One, Town of Pelham, Westchester Co., N. Y.

NOTICE OF SALE OF BONDS.

Notice is hereby given, according to law, by the Board of Education of Union Free School, District No. One, of the Town of Pelham, County of Westchester and State of New York, that proposals will be received by the undersigned until Tuesday, June 12, 1888, for the sale of six thousand dollars ($6,000) of the bonds of said district.  These bonds are to be issued by the said Board of Education, by authority of law, for the purpose of building a new school house at Pelhamville, N. Y.

The bonds will be dated July 1, 1888, and will be for the term of ten years, with interest at 4 per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually.  They will be issued in sums to suit purchasers, and will not be sold below par.  

The district has no bonded debt, and no obligations of any kind beyond ordinary current expenses, which are amply provided for.

The bids will be opened at the Prospect Hill Schoolhouse on Tuesday, June 12, 1888, at 8 o'clock P. M.

The right is reserved to reject any and all bids.  

Further information will be furnished by the undersigned.  

By order of the Board of Education.

HENRY E. DEY, Clerk.

Dated PELHAM MANOR, N. Y., May 28, 1888."


Source:  Union Free School, District No. One, Town of Pelham, Westchester Co., N. Y.  NOTICE OF SALE OF BONDS [Advertisement], The Evening Post, May 29, 1888, Vol. 87, Last Edition, p. 5, col. 6.

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Thursday, September 18, 2014

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


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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