Andover's Stowe School was named after one of the town's most famous residents, Harriet Beecher Stowe. In his post, Jim Batchelder shares memories of 6th grade in the massive red brick school house.
Not sure, but I think John Dove was the school in the front that was torn down. If it was, that is where I went to kindergarten. They had started building Central School at that time. I was n the first grade when Central School opened. I attended Jackson later.
Once again, Jim Batchelder has worked his magic by vividly describing, in detail, his elementary school experience at Stowe School. It brought back lots of memories for me even though I went to school in a different part of the country. Well done, as always, Jim!!! Thank you.
Nice job, Jim. It reminded me of the old brick elementary school I attended on Wellesley hills. My most embarrassing moment happened in 6th grade when Miss Buck asked me and A BOY to go up to the 3rd floor to carry down a plaster cast of Venus de Milo to our classroom. When we returned the giggles from the boys started. I tried my best to preserve my sangfroid and slunk to my desk. Miss Buck proceeded to lecture us on the truth and beauty of Fine Art, an attempt that proved hopeless to our hormone-charged minds.
Hi Jim- I was a year behind you at the Stowe and remember it well. I was in Eunice Stack's room (classroom #1) Those huge windows, the desks, inkwells and "going to the basement"! The one thing I don't remember was that there was an auditorium on the 3rd floor--I guess I just wasn't "in the know". I was going to remind you about the music lessons from Miriam McGardle but I see this came up in one of the comments. She taught us how to sight read music, drawing a staff on the chalkboard with a gizmo that held 5 pieces of chalk and then adding the notes. Thanks for this story!
I attended Stowe school in 1945 for fourth grade with Alice stack for teacher. Miss Barrett was principal and Eunice stack sixth grade excellent teachers but long walk home and back for lunch! I remember top floor auditorium stage as big time recitals and performances and back yard playground… good times and good memories
I grew up in Billerica and attended the old Talbot School – our local pile of bricks - 1st through 3rd grades. Girls entered the building on the right and used the playground on that side of the building. Boys on the other. Bathrooms were in the basement. When we all moved to the slick, new, all-modern, single-level school for 4th grade in 1970, when we raised our hand to ask for permission it was always, “may I go to the basement?” I have such fond memories of the old Talbot. Thank you, Jim!
I forgot to mention Music which was held in the auditorium at Central and taught by Mrs. Miriam McCardle. We did a Christmas concert as I remember. Gym class was taught by Mr. Joseph Normandy, who was my first male teacher. He later became a Principal at Sanborn School and hired me as a teacher. One other moment that makes me laugh, as how naïve we all were. The space program was just beginning and Alan Shepard was launched into space while we were in school. No TV then, so we all raced to the east windows thinking we would see the space capsule and rocket fly by. Mrs. C. had a lot of explaining to do and I'm not sure if she understood the path of the shot! The astronauts were my first heroes.
Wonderful comments about Stowe! Schools are a common thread that binds us together. Most cities and towns had a building like Stowe and the memories when life seemed simpler.
I lived for 24 years across the street from where the old Stowe had been and always wondered about what it looked like. Certainly this story satisfied my curiosity itch, particularly with it’s great pictures.
Brings back memories of Pawtucket Grammer School in Lowell, years late 1930s to mid
1940's. Boys and Girls had separate sides of the building for their playgrounds. We had no lunchroom. Those who could walk home for lunch did, others ate at their desks. The auditorium was in the attic and was only used, in my days, at least the only time I remember it being used was for graduation. To my surprise when I moved to Cohasset shortly after the war, my high school was a building very much like Stowe School, but not brick.... Osgood Academy, Cohasset was still a small, lovely town. The school felt great....not overwhelming. All in all pleasant memories of both places. Not at all like schools now.
Thank you for your write up of Stowe School. It brought back wonderful memories of the year I was there. I also attended Jackson, and John Dove during my elementary years.
My sister attended John Dove for one year. Jackson was originally built as an annex to John Dove. When I was teaching , the AIRS program (Andover Independent Reading System) was housed in Jackson.
I remember Stowe School as the School System Administration Building. I had many meetings there for curriculum development, union business and grievance resolution, and contract negotiation. It was a beautiful structure with woodwork that is not seen today.
Thanks Susan, I guess it hits home for lots of folks whi were luck enough to attend one of that period.
I remember that tool now that you mentioned it! The teacher would draw lines across the boards with it and have us write in cursive.
Not sure, but I think John Dove was the school in the front that was torn down. If it was, that is where I went to kindergarten. They had started building Central School at that time. I was n the first grade when Central School opened. I attended Jackson later.
Once again, Jim Batchelder has worked his magic by vividly describing, in detail, his elementary school experience at Stowe School. It brought back lots of memories for me even though I went to school in a different part of the country. Well done, as always, Jim!!! Thank you.
Nice job, Jim. It reminded me of the old brick elementary school I attended on Wellesley hills. My most embarrassing moment happened in 6th grade when Miss Buck asked me and A BOY to go up to the 3rd floor to carry down a plaster cast of Venus de Milo to our classroom. When we returned the giggles from the boys started. I tried my best to preserve my sangfroid and slunk to my desk. Miss Buck proceeded to lecture us on the truth and beauty of Fine Art, an attempt that proved hopeless to our hormone-charged minds.
You have a lovely way with words, Susan! I love your description of the horrors of 6th grade.
Hi Jim- I was a year behind you at the Stowe and remember it well. I was in Eunice Stack's room (classroom #1) Those huge windows, the desks, inkwells and "going to the basement"! The one thing I don't remember was that there was an auditorium on the 3rd floor--I guess I just wasn't "in the know". I was going to remind you about the music lessons from Miriam McGardle but I see this came up in one of the comments. She taught us how to sight read music, drawing a staff on the chalkboard with a gizmo that held 5 pieces of chalk and then adding the notes. Thanks for this story!
I attended Stowe school in 1945 for fourth grade with Alice stack for teacher. Miss Barrett was principal and Eunice stack sixth grade excellent teachers but long walk home and back for lunch! I remember top floor auditorium stage as big time recitals and performances and back yard playground… good times and good memories
I grew up in Billerica and attended the old Talbot School – our local pile of bricks - 1st through 3rd grades. Girls entered the building on the right and used the playground on that side of the building. Boys on the other. Bathrooms were in the basement. When we all moved to the slick, new, all-modern, single-level school for 4th grade in 1970, when we raised our hand to ask for permission it was always, “may I go to the basement?” I have such fond memories of the old Talbot. Thank you, Jim!
I forgot to mention Music which was held in the auditorium at Central and taught by Mrs. Miriam McCardle. We did a Christmas concert as I remember. Gym class was taught by Mr. Joseph Normandy, who was my first male teacher. He later became a Principal at Sanborn School and hired me as a teacher. One other moment that makes me laugh, as how naïve we all were. The space program was just beginning and Alan Shepard was launched into space while we were in school. No TV then, so we all raced to the east windows thinking we would see the space capsule and rocket fly by. Mrs. C. had a lot of explaining to do and I'm not sure if she understood the path of the shot! The astronauts were my first heroes.
Barbara, I think Stowe prepped us for Jr. High!
Thank you MJ! Even a parking lot, has a story to tell.
Wonderful comments about Stowe! Schools are a common thread that binds us together. Most cities and towns had a building like Stowe and the memories when life seemed simpler.
I lived for 24 years across the street from where the old Stowe had been and always wondered about what it looked like. Certainly this story satisfied my curiosity itch, particularly with it’s great pictures.
Brings back memories of Pawtucket Grammer School in Lowell, years late 1930s to mid
1940's. Boys and Girls had separate sides of the building for their playgrounds. We had no lunchroom. Those who could walk home for lunch did, others ate at their desks. The auditorium was in the attic and was only used, in my days, at least the only time I remember it being used was for graduation. To my surprise when I moved to Cohasset shortly after the war, my high school was a building very much like Stowe School, but not brick.... Osgood Academy, Cohasset was still a small, lovely town. The school felt great....not overwhelming. All in all pleasant memories of both places. Not at all like schools now.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for your write up of Stowe School. It brought back wonderful memories of the year I was there. I also attended Jackson, and John Dove during my elementary years.
My sister attended John Dove for one year. Jackson was originally built as an annex to John Dove. When I was teaching , the AIRS program (Andover Independent Reading System) was housed in Jackson.
I remember Stowe School as the School System Administration Building. I had many meetings there for curriculum development, union business and grievance resolution, and contract negotiation. It was a beautiful structure with woodwork that is not seen today.