Tom, so glad to hear that you liked my BUZZ about Shawsheen. Part 2 will be coming out at the end of January. I would love to hear some of your substitute stories!!!
Thank you Barbara for this fascinating story! The impact of William Wood on Andover will forever amaze me. Some years back I was a substitute teacher here in Andover and served in most of the town's grammar schools. The Shawsheen School was absolutely my favorite!
Great article, Barbara! My husband's grandmother (Loretta Topping b. 1904) remembered William Wood handing out knitted woolen mittens to the schoolchildren at Christmas. She would have been too old to have attended the new school, so maybe she was thinking of the Richardson. Either way, it's nice to know Mr. Wood saw the beautiful school open and operational before his death in 1926.
Great article, Barbara. I went to school there 1957-1962 and my sisters and brother before me. I remember the line to go to lunch, Miss Harnedy came up to me and said something about my brother getting arrested in front of all the kids. Miss Harnedy also took me by the shoulders and shook me because I stepped in a puddle at recess. She also liked to use the wooden ruler across the knuckles. I don't remember any of my teachers names, but definitely remember her. I wonder if she was like that in her early years as principle. Does anyone have class pictures from 1956-1962?
Debbie, about the class pictures. You can get in touch with the Andover Center for History and Culture and ask because we just might have some of those class pictures.
Thanks, Barbara! The building has gone through changes and is about to go through more. Its history will not change because of recollections like the one you’re providing for us.
Knowing the History of a landmark that I once attended as a youth is Great!
I remember skinning my knee vividly on that playground & 20+ years later teaching Andover Youths baseball through Dan Gram's summer program on those same playgrounds and field.
Shawsheen school has changed the landscape for generations. Let it be known. . .
Tom, so glad to hear that you liked my BUZZ about Shawsheen. Part 2 will be coming out at the end of January. I would love to hear some of your substitute stories!!!
Super information! Love the photos, too!
Here’s a post about a defunct Ft Wayne school.
https://tedshideler.com/2023/12/28/forgotten-photos-of-fort-waynes-elmhurst-high-school/#more-15643
Thank you Barbara for this fascinating story! The impact of William Wood on Andover will forever amaze me. Some years back I was a substitute teacher here in Andover and served in most of the town's grammar schools. The Shawsheen School was absolutely my favorite!
Great article, Barbara! My husband's grandmother (Loretta Topping b. 1904) remembered William Wood handing out knitted woolen mittens to the schoolchildren at Christmas. She would have been too old to have attended the new school, so maybe she was thinking of the Richardson. Either way, it's nice to know Mr. Wood saw the beautiful school open and operational before his death in 1926.
Jane, thanks for the kind words. I think I will try to weave the info about the mittens into part 2 of the BUZZ.
Great article, Barbara. I went to school there 1957-1962 and my sisters and brother before me. I remember the line to go to lunch, Miss Harnedy came up to me and said something about my brother getting arrested in front of all the kids. Miss Harnedy also took me by the shoulders and shook me because I stepped in a puddle at recess. She also liked to use the wooden ruler across the knuckles. I don't remember any of my teachers names, but definitely remember her. I wonder if she was like that in her early years as principle. Does anyone have class pictures from 1956-1962?
Debbie, about the class pictures. You can get in touch with the Andover Center for History and Culture and ask because we just might have some of those class pictures.
There's a long history of shawsheen school. I went to kindergarten there but don't remember much. Thank you, Barbara, for telling more of the story.
Thanks, Barbara! The building has gone through changes and is about to go through more. Its history will not change because of recollections like the one you’re providing for us.
This email made my day!..
Knowing the History of a landmark that I once attended as a youth is Great!
I remember skinning my knee vividly on that playground & 20+ years later teaching Andover Youths baseball through Dan Gram's summer program on those same playgrounds and field.
Shawsheen school has changed the landscape for generations. Let it be known. . .
Fascinating history - so far...