USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts, Volume II, 1900-1960, with genealogies > Part 8
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An examination by the School Committee had been required of town students for entrance to the "Preparatory" Class at P.I. In 1901, a "Grammar Class" was formed from the upper grades of the district schools. This class and the "Prep" class, meeting in the West Room, were soon called the 7th and 8th grades. Later a 9th grade was added.
As early as 1895 the town appropriated $100.00 for a music teacher, and music has been a continuous course in the district and elementary schools, though at Powers Institute the instruction in music has been irregular. Drawing was first taught in the nine- ties, and has been an intermittent subject through the years.
There were six district schools: South Street, Green, Bald Mountain, North Bernardston, East Bernardston and Huckle Hill. A plot of land on the corner of School and Church Sts., op- posite the Streeter Store, served as a place for recreation, includ- ing band concerts, and was called the "Common" or "Green"; thus the Green School got its name. With the exception of the Green, these schools used double desks, seating two children, and were heated by wood-burning stoves. The teachers often acted as janitors and so increased their earnings by fifty cents a week. The salaries ranged from eight to eight and one-half dollars a week, though at one time the Huckle Hill teacher had received only six dollars. As the wood fires went completely out at night, the teach- ers had to come into freezing rooms each morning during the winter. Sometimes one of the older boys took over the janitor's duties. The school days were long; nine until twelve and one until four. The teachers often did the janitor work after hours, then walked long distances to their boarding places, taking their home work with them.
There were neither lights nor water in the buildings. Two of the boys would bring water in a large pail from the nearest neigh-
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
bor. In warm weather one pupil had the honor of "passing out the water" to the others, using just one drinking cup, and this condition lasted many years. The old law was still in force provid- ing a fine of $20.00 for truancy and not over $50.00 for "inducing or employing a child so as to absent him from school." A state law in 1907 required the services of a school doctor. Huckle Hill School (District No. 5), with its six pupils was closed permanently in 1908.
Many of the district teachers were local girls, and few had normal training. A Powers Institute graduate was considered ca- pable of teaching the elementary grades. Great credit should be given these young women. That they did well is proved by the successful men and women who received their early education in these one-room schools.
Principals in this decade were: E. E. Sawyer, 1898-1902; Thomas Allen, 1902-1907; Winifred Given, 1907-1912.
1910-1920
One of the outstanding events of these years was the installation of electric lights at P.I. in 1912, at a cost of $120.00! The class of '14 published a yearbook, the "Pendulum Echo," which continued nearly every year until P.I. closed. The "Pendulum," a former monthly, had been published from 1892 until 1898. A third teacher was secured at P.I., and courses in agriculture, domestic science and the Palmer System of penmanship were introduced. Each of the three superintendents in this period urged the consoli- dation of the districts, and the enlarging of the Institute building was suggested for that purpose. Nothing was done. An increase of teachers' salaries, and repairs and better sanitary conditions for all the schools were recommended. The State was becoming a more important factor in the operation of the schools, and through its contributed funds the towns were able to secure better teachers and equipment. In 1917 the ninth grade was discontinued. The North Bernardston School, District No. 3, after being opened and closed several times, was closed permanently in June 1918.
Principals: Winifred Given, 1907-1912; Lyman Phelps, 1912- 1918; W. L. Linscott, 1918-1920.
1920-1930
The schools were beginning to feel the increase of population, and the superintendent again suggested the enlarging of P.I. To
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
ease the overcrowding of the district schools, the sixth grade was transferred to P.I. Chapel Hall, where morning devotions and school socials had long been held, was used for the sixth and sev- enth grades. The eighth grade was seated downstairs and taught by the high school teachers. Classes in agriculture and domestic arts were held in Cushman Hall. The Institute was crowded, and an additional teacher was needed.
The Pro Merito, an honorary scholarship society, was estab- lished in 1921. In 1928 a commercial course was introduced in which over 30 pupils were enrolled. A really modern touch was felt with the installation of a radio, telephone, and drinking foun- tains. An electric pump connected with the well had at last brought water into P.I.
Powers received two bequests, the Isaac B. Snow Fund in 1926 and the Jenness Memorial Fund in 1928. (See Powers Institute be- quests.)
Principals: Walter G. Buchanan, 1920 to Feb. 1924; Henry D. Carle, Feb. 1924 to June 1924; Paul T. Sellers, 1924-1927; Her- man A. Bryant, 1927-1933.
1930-1940
"The depression" caused years of rigid economy for the Ber- nardston schools. In 1930 the sum of $19,850 was appropriated for the school budget. With reimbursements from the State and from local funds, the net cost to the taxpayers was $7,852. From 1933 through 1939 the town annually appropriated about $17,000; the lowest net cost to the taxpayers being $5,515 in 1933. During most of this decade the elementary school teachers received $950 annu- ally; the high school teachers $1,200. In spite of salary cuts the teachers served the young faithfully.
Trying to maintain the schools on a reduced budget and to comply with the ever-increasing requirements of the State Build- ing Inspector, presented a series of problems to the superintendent and the School Committee. Funds were finally available to bring electric lights to the four district schools and town water to Powers, South, and Green Schools. The old pail and drinking cup gave way to pure, running water.
Throughout the decade, the administrators tried to make the best possible use of available space and personnel. In 1932 the eighth grade was moved upstairs in P.I. and organized with the
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
sixth and seventh grades. The chemical laboratory became a classroom, causing a serious problem in the teaching of high school science. Three carefully planned courses of study were offered to high school students: college preparatory, commercial, and general. In 1939 the services of a handwriting supervisor were obtained. All teachers received help in the teaching of handwrit- ing, and the handwriting of most pupils in grades 1-12 showed marked improvement.
George P. Morgan of Northfield, bequeathed one thousand dol- lars to the school. (See Powers Institute bequests.)
In 1933, the largest class ever to graduate from Powers con- sisted of twenty pupils, sixteen boys and four girls, whose scholastic standing was very high with four pro-merito students. Powers basketball teams played in Western Massachusetts tournaments and the girls also had basketball and baseball teams. The baseball diamond for the girls was prepared by the girls themselves. Dramatics, Glee Club, the Damrosch Musical Appreciation Hour by radio, and a Senior Class trip to New York City World's Fair, provided extracurricular activities for the pupils.
Principals: Herman A. Bryant 1927-1933; Alfred F. Gay 1933 to April 1938; Vernet S. Keller, April 1938 to 1942.
1940-1950
The war years saw the establishment of first-aid courses, some of them taught by Red Cross instructors. Home nursing classes were instructed by registered nurses in town.
Mr. Harry A. Perry presented a gift of two thousand dollars, in 1942, for the use of Powers Institute. (See Powers Institute be- quests.)
School enrollment decreased somewhat during these years. By returning the sixth grade to the district schools and reorganizing the upper six grades into a single administrative unit, it was possi- ble to decrease the teaching staff. A critical shortage of teachers hampered the process of learning. Science as a subject became increasingly important. Before long, many improvements were noted; a new fire escape, steel instead of wooden, at the high school; repairs and redecoration of the district schools and expan- sion of the curriculum in high school to include extra courses in mathematics, art, French, English, and commercial subjects. At Powers, the second floor became a study hall and library.
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
Many extracurricular activities came into prominence, such as: Christmas and savings clubs, King Philip League for basketball, and prize speaking.
When the war ended, there began to be discussion and hope for a new high school or the use of Greenfield or Turners Falls facili- ties. For several years the State had condemned Powers Institute for use as a school building, making it necessary to obtain a permit from year to year. This made a new school imperative and a re- gional school planning board was voted by the town.
A survey committee consisting of the current school committee (Lloyd Mason, Lucius Stark, and Caroline Shores) plus a commit- tee appointed at town meeting (Wendell E. Streeter, Chairman, Richard C. Phelps, Iva Root) worked hard and long to persuade the town to build a new elementary school. Appointed in 1945, it was not until 1948 that real activity was started and a building committee appointed at Town Meeting. The survey committee was increased by one member: Delmar Magoon, the new member of the school committee. Following the suggestions of the survey committee, the building committee proposed that a site be pur- chased for a new building for the grades, consolidating the four district schools. Through the efforts of these groups, acting as one committee, the Estabrook lot off South Street was acquired as a site for a new elementary school.
Principals: Vernet S. Keller, 1938-1942; Eva M. Palmer, Acting Principal, Sept. to Nov. 1942; John Somes, Nov. 1942-June 1943; Laurence E. Goss, 1943-1946; Robert S. Ewing, 1946-1953.
1950-1960
At a special town meeting in 1950, the town appropriated $210,- 000 to build a new, consolidated elementary school, which opened in 1951. In addition to six classrooms, this building had a kinder- garten, all purpose room, library, teachers' room, health room, office, lunch room, kitchen, suitable storage and toilet facilities. This was considered "the greatest progress in elementary educa- tion in the history of the town." In 1951, the enrollment of the Bernardston Elementary School was 167 and in 1960 it had in- creased to 224.
For the elementary school a weekly savings program was main- tained; a new R.C.A, movie projector brought visual aids to the
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
classrooms. A glee club, a school band and boys' physical educa- tion program added interest to school life. The school became a center for many activities and organizations such as: Cub Scouts, Elementary Band, 4-H Clubs, P.T.A., and adult education classes. The Bernardston Community Club gave foundation plantings and trees along the road to the school; the P.T.A. gave playground equipment; the American Legion presented a flag; and the Ber- nardston Grange gave two trees.
The district schoolhouses were sold or disposed of as follows: Huckle Hill School still stands unused; North Bernardston School became a summer home in Packer's Corners, Guilford, Vt .; East School was used for some time as an antique shop, but now stands vacant; Bald Mt. and South Street Schools were made into attractive homes and Green School was converted into the Ameri- can Legion Home.
A committee was chosen in 1953 to work with a similar group from Warwick and Northfield to consider a Regional High School. The following year, eighty-three acres of land were pur- chased on Route 10, about half way between Bernardston and Northfield. This became the site of the Pioneer Valley Regional School.
Teachers, school committee members, superintendents, and custodians, will be long remembered for their faithful service to the town and its young people. Mention should be made of ele- mentary teachers who have taught the greatest number of years: Alta J. Denison, Harriet N. Farr, Lillian B. Richmond, and Aimee M. Whithed who completed fifty years of teaching, mainly in Bernardston.
P.I. Principals: Robert S. Ewing, 1946-1953; Robert C. Upham, 1953-1957.
Elementary School Principals: R. Philip Chamberlin, 1951-1952; James M. Tyler, 1952-1954; Hugh S. Hayden, 1955-
Superintendents: J. E. Warren, 1896-1898; none listed again until 1902; W. H. Cummings, 1902-1906; Mortimer H. Bowman, 1906-1912; Clinton J. Richards, 1912-1917; Elmer F. Howard, 1917-1921; E. J. Best, 1921-1925; Linville W. Robbins, 1925-1941; Robert N. Taylor, 1941-1948; F. Sumner Turner, 1948-
Powers Institute was closed in 1957 after 100 years of use, and many former students, both young and old, have a feeling of sad- ness as they see the deserted building standing on the hill.
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960 POWERS INSTITUTE BEQUESTS ISAAC B. SNOW PRIZES
N 1926, Isaac B. Snow set aside a sum of money, directing that
I the interest should be used for cash prizes for Powers Institute seniors at graduation. The Valedictorian prize was thirty dollars, the Salutatorian, fifteen dollars. At the first presentation of the prizes in 1927, the awards were made in gold coin. Since Powers closed in 1957, legal action is now being taken so that the two high- ranking Bernardston seniors at Pioneer Valley Regional School will receive the awards.
Mr. Snow was born in 1850, and spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm on Bernardston Road in Greenfield. This farm, later named "Elmhurst," was so near Bernardston that Mr. Snow regarded Bernardston as his home town. He attended Powers Institute in 1862, and was always a loyal alumnus.
As a young man, Mr. Snow "went west," like so many other youths of the period. He was employed by the Wabash and the Union Pacific railroads, and was engaged in the settling of land grants in Kansas when Indian troubles were rife. In 1879, he be- came associated with the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in their Chicago office, and remained there until his re- tirement to the Snow farm in 1909. Mr. Snow became a Bernard- ston summer resident in 1920, and purchased a home on Center Street which is still in the family. He was a public-spirited citizen, taking a great interest in the town and especially in its young people. His generous provision for prizes was gratefully received by the town.
JENNESS MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
T HE JENNESS MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION was formed at the Powers Institute Alumni Reunion in 1928, by thirty former pupils of the late Mrs. Emily C. Jenness. The memorial fund started at that time, with pledges of about $100.00, has been increased by later contributions to a total of $360.00 in 1961.
The income from this fund was to be used as prizes for Powers Institute pupils. Originally given for prize speaking, the awards now in 1961 consist of a character prize and a prize for excellence in English, these being presented to two Bernardston seniors at the Pioneer Valley Regional School. The fund is now adminis- tered by a committee of former winners of these awards.
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
Mrs. Jenness was a native of Brookfield, Vermont, and attended New Hampton College, from which she graduated in 1860. She taught at Powers from 1872 to 1877, with Prof. Sanborn, and again for a year 1878 to 1879, with Prof. Stratton. She was prob- ably the most popular and best-loved teacher in the history of the school. Incidentally she pronounced her name with accent on the first syllable.
Mrs. Walter E. Nichols of Greenfield, formerly Nellie Hale of Bernardston, aged 102 years in 1961, is undoubtedly the last of the Jenness pupils.
THE MORGAN FUND
N 1934, Powers Institute received a bequest of $1000.00 from
I the estate of George F. Morgan of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Morgan was an alumnus of the Institute, having attended the school in 1864 and 1865.
He came to the Institute from Northfield, and later taught school in Chicopee and Northfield. At the time of his death he was a resident of Cambridge, where he was a conveyancer and justice of the peace.
The principal sum of this legacy has been kept intact, the inter- est having been used to purchase a teacher's desk and chair, a dictionary and a projector for the school. In 1935 the P.I. trustees voted to turn the income over to the town treasurer, for use by the school committee as they should see fit.
H. A. PERRY GIFT
P OWERS INSTITUTE in 1943 received a gift of two thousand dol- lars through the generosity of Harry A. Perry, summer resident of Bernardston and a native of Riverside, in Gill, Massachusetts. The money was part of a gift of four thousand dollars to the Town of Bernardston "to be used toward alterations on Powers Institute and the town hall."
Harry A. Perry, affectionately known as "H.A.," was the son of a lumberman in Riverside and attended the Institute in 1883, boarding at Cushman Hall. After his attendance at Powers, he went to St. Marys, Kansas, where he worked on a ranch. Several trips were made by him to visit his fiancée, Maveret Burrows of Bernardston, combining pleasure with business trips to transport
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
cattle to points of sale. Later, Mr. Perry married Miss Burrows and the couple went to Salina, Kansas, where they had a small poultry and egg business. With his brother, John G. Perry, "H.A." formed the company of Perry Brothers in 1890 at Manhattan, Kansas which was purchased by the Perry Packing Company in 1921. Later the Perrys located in Topeka, Kansas, where "H.A." was vice-president of Seymour Packing Company. (Now Seymour Foods.)
"H.A." was a prominent and popular figure in the life of Ber- nardston, and with his family, spent each summer here for many years. He was always interested in Bernardston and its schools and will be gratefully remembered for his generosity.
POWERS INSTITUTE REUNIONS
T HE GREENFIELD Gazette & Courier of August 23, 1880, con- tained an account of the first of a series of triennial reunions of Powers Institute held on August 19. This account was in part as follows: "The reunion of old students of Bernardston last Thursday was a thorough success. ... The Town Hall was full day and evening and everyone seemed to fully enjoy the varied exercises. The address of welcome was by Principal Jackson. . . . The oration by Rev. Aaron Field was carefully written and well delivered; the subject was 'Truth' which he defined as 'God's Thoughts.' At the close of the morning exercises all present were invited to partake of a bountiful and elegant collation in the lower hall. . .. The afternoon was devoted by most of the old students to visiting the school buildings and friends. The evening session called together a larger crowd than was present in the morning. . ."
Five hundred were present at the reunion of 1883, and four hundred in 1886, at which time a "collation" was furnished by "Landlord Allen" of the New England House. Although there had been four triennial reunions, the Alumni Association was not formed until 1890. Officers were then chosen and a constitution drawn up. The Association held its first annual Alumni dinner in 1893 and these meetings continued through 1900, occurring in June, while the triennials were held in August. Printed programs of the dinner meetings of 1893, 1894 and 1895 may be seen at Cushman Library. A toastmaster was appointed and members of the Association responded with speeches. The menus were elabo- rate and evidently furnished by a caterer, but later the women of
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
the churches served the luncheons. The reunion of 1895 was held in Sylvan Grove.
A catalog of Powers Institute teachers and students was pub- lished in 1895, having been compiled by Mrs. Henry Crowell (Kate Slate), who attended the Institute in 1866; the Association expressed appreciation for her long and arduous labors. A "hang- ing committee" was chosen also in 1895 to attend to the hanging of portraits of six former principals: Professors Ward, Hunt, San- born, Underwood, Jackson and Mrs. Jenness, and these pictures hung for many years in Chapel Hall.
As long as there were any pupils of the early days, especially those of Prof. Ward's time, returning for reunions, there was great enthusiasm. In his time the town was full of young people; Cush- man Hall was overflowing, and everyone in town who had spare rooms rented them to students during the school year. The house- keeping experiences of the boys furnished tall tales at reunion time.
Besides the regular trains, two express trains stopped on re- union days, and the townspeople sent their carriages to the rail- road station to bring returning students to the Town Hall. The order of the day has remained much the same throughout the years: business meeting, roll call, short speeches, reminiscences, a musical program, the singing of "Powers, Oh, Dear Powers," writ- ten for the 1893 reunion by Mrs. David Cronyn (Zella Reid), and time out to visit friends and the old school. A reception and dance were held in the evening.
Mrs. Lucy Cutler Kellogg's name appears frequently in the records, not only as necrologist for many years but as one who took an active part in the reunions and gave many valuable sug- gestions. As a girl of fifteen she attended the first reunion in 1880, and the Gazette's account of that meeting tells that the "Morning programme was commenced with a piece of Instrumental music by Miss Lucy Cutler. . . . "
For the 1940 reunion, a pageant of six episodes was written and read by Mrs. Kellogg and presented at the Town Hall. This was called "Along the Years at Powers Institute" and depicted the school history from 1857 to 1940. Pupils currently attending Powers walked down the middle aisle to the stage, dressed to rep- resent the students of long ago, while music appropriate to the various periods was sung.
The outstanding president of the Alumni Association was un-
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
doubtedly Cornelius A. Parker (class of 1889) who served through six reunions, 1922 to 1940. Mr. Parker was a member of the law firm of Parker, Weir and Newton of Boston.
The Alumni officers in 1943 decided that it would be inadvisa- ble to hold the reunion, owing to war-time conditions. This is the only triennial reunion omitted since they began in 1880; even hurricane "Connie" of 1955 failed to discourage the alumni, and one hundred fifty-two registered on that day.
A new feature was added at the 1949 reunion by the late Edith L. Barber. This was a collection of programs, photographs and class group pictures which were exhibited in the East Room of Powers Institute. This feature has been continued to the present time as it created great interest.
The reunion of 1958 was held at the Institute with one hun- dred forty-six registering. Considerable time was spent in discus- sion of what could be done with Powers Institute as it no longer existed as a school. Fred Stange, custodian, made a table and gavel from a butternut tree which stood near the building and this was presented to the presiding officer of the association. The afternoon ended with an automobile cavalcade of classes, "From Powers to Pioneer." It proceeded to the new Pioneer Valley Regional School, where a guided tour was held.
The Alumni officers decided to postpone the reunion of 1961 for a year and join with the two hundredth anniversary of the in- corporation of the town in 1962. John B. Morton of Concord, N. H. (class of 1930) is now president of the Alumni Association.
The town in 1958 decided to make a recreation center of Powers Institute and letters were sent to all alumni asking for contributions for this purpose. At the present time little has been done and the building is used only as a meeting place for the Boy Scouts.
PIONEER VALLEY REGIONAL SCHOOL
T HERE are three aspects of the Pioneer Valley Regional School that may be of interest to future generations, namely: Build- ing History, Building Facts and Cost Facts.
THE BUILDING HISTORY
On October 1, 1953, November 19, 1953 and December 14, 1953, the Towns of Bernardston, Northfield and Warwick, re- spectively, in special town meetings, voted to instruct their
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HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
moderators to appoint three persons to serve on a Regional School District Planning Board. The members of the Bernardston com- mittee appointed were Wendell Streeter, Delmar Magoon and Vir- ginia Deane.
The Regional School District was established on May 25, 1954 by the vote of the three towns approving the agreement submitted by the Planning Board. The agreement had been approved by the Commission of Education and the Emergency Finance Board of Massachusetts, which apportioned the annual capital costs as fol- lows: Bernardston 30.8%, Northfield 57.7% and Warwick 11.5%. The annual operating costs are proportionate to the pupil enroll- ment as of October first and December first of each year.
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