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Garfield School (Brunswick, New York)
Encyclopedia
The District #2 Schoolhouse, known locally as the Garfield School and also known as Brunswick District No. 2 School, located in Brunswick
, New York
, United States
, is a two-room schoolhouse
built and opened in 1881. It hosted local students until the consolidation of Brunswick (Brittonkill) Central School District
in the mid 1950s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) in 1988, becoming the first building in the Town of Brunswick to be added to the Register. It is the current home of the Brunswick Historical Society
.
The building, located on the corner of Moonlawn Road and New York Route 2
(Brunswick Road), was owned by Brunswick Central School District until it was transferred to the Town of Brunswick in 1986. It was named for President
James A. Garfield, who taught penmanship at a nearby school in Poestenkill
.
The need for new school buildings in Brunswick became apparent when, in 1879, Edward Wait, the newly appointed district commissioner for that portion of Rensselaer County of which District #2 was part, lamented to the state superintendent of public education about the poor quality of many schools in his district, in addition to overcrowding in some. Within three years, ten new schoolhouses were built in his district, the Garfield School being one of them.
The planning of the school is well documented. Facing an enlarging student body (or possibly the prodding from the enthusiastic Commissioner Wait), the board of trustees voted on October 14, 1879 to have plans and specifications drawn up for a new schoolhouse. Reasons cited were for a growing student body and the current schoolhouse being in a "dilapidated condition". The board commissioned Nicholas Pawley, a carpenter from Poestenkill
, to design the new building.
The fact that the design of the schoolhouse was commissioned is notable because most schoolhouses at the time were built based on templates found in architectural plan books. Most ended up as simple rectangular structures, made of wood or brick, with no distinguishing features. The Garfield School, on the other hand, was designed to be a beautiful addition to the town and become an icon of education.
The design was originally meant to be a two-room, two-story schoolhouse, but was eventually reconfigured to be a two-room, one-story building, with classrooms located side-by-side. The main building measures about 53.5 by. Each of the two classrooms is rectangular; they were originally separated by a sliding wall, which could be moved in the event of a large crowd or gathering. A vestibule used as a cloakroom juts out from the front about 8 feet (2.4 m); each classroom had its own entrance, which can still be seen in the photo shown above.
The construction contract was awarded to Joachim Filieau, who was a member of the board of trustees at the time. The designer, Pawley, had also bid for the construction of the building, but did not win the contract, probably because had been the high bidder. Filieau was also a local carpenter and built the schoolhouse to the specifications set forth by Pawley. Construction began during the summer of 1881 and finished in time for the beginning of the school year. The building cost $2,762 and was funded by a combination of taxes and four $500 bonds.
The design of the structure is notable because it was built to serve a purpose but also be architecturally and aesthetically pleasing. For example, the structure has a gabled roof and ornamental woodwork at the peaks of each gable, still there today, and visible in the photo above. Additionally, to avoid the perception of a horizontal, or "squat", building, Pawley also called for a cupola
, which still exists today with its original weathervane. Also uncommon for the time, the building has a full basement.
The school eventually became known as the Garfield School, in recognition of President James A. Garfield, who taught penmanship at a nearby school in Poestenkill while attending Williams College
in Massachusetts
.
Sometime around 1920, an 8 feet (2.4 m) addition was added to the back of the building to allow for internal plumbing, toilets, and sinks. This was added to conform with newly developed health standards, which required sanitary facilities in all public schools by September 1918. This was the only major addition to the structure over the course of its history.
Today the building is home to the Brunswick Historical Society
. It was added to the NRHP in 1988, becoming the first listed building in the Town of Brunswick. Until 1986, it was owned by Brunswick Central School District, but was transferred to the Town of Brunswick that year, under the condition that the building only be used for educational purposes. The Brunswick Community Library moved out of the building in September 2009.
The Garfield School is considered the best-preserved two-room schoolhouse in Rensselaer County and has been used continuously since its opening. After consolidation in the 1950s, the building was still used by its home district at times of overcrowding, and was used for BOCES
classes for some time. The Brunswick Community Library moved in later on, as did the Brunswick Historical Society.
Brunswick, New York
Brunswick is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, United States that was originally settled in the early 18th century. During its history, it had been part of Albany County, Rensselaerswyck, and Troy, before its incorporation in 1807...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, is a two-room schoolhouse
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
built and opened in 1881. It hosted local students until the consolidation of Brunswick (Brittonkill) Central School District
Brunswick (Brittonkill) Central School District
Brunswick Central School District is a rural fringe central school district located east of the city of Troy whose main campus resides in the town of Brunswick in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The district has two operating school buildings: Tamarac Elementary School and Tamarac...
in the mid 1950s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
(NRHP) in 1988, becoming the first building in the Town of Brunswick to be added to the Register. It is the current home of the Brunswick Historical Society
Brunswick Historical Society
Brunswick Historical Society is the local historical society serving the town of Brunswick, New York, United States. It was organized in 1974 and officially chartered in 1981. It moved into its first and current home, the Garfield School in Eagle Mills, in 1988...
.
The building, located on the corner of Moonlawn Road and New York Route 2
New York State Route 2
New York State Route 2 is a state highway in the Capital District of New York, United States. It extends from an interchange with Interstate 87 and NY 7 in the hamlet of Latham within the town of Colonie to the Massachusetts state line, where it continues to Boston as Route 2....
(Brunswick Road), was owned by Brunswick Central School District until it was transferred to the Town of Brunswick in 1986. It was named for President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
James A. Garfield, who taught penmanship at a nearby school in Poestenkill
Poestenkill (town), New York
Poestenkill is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the Poesten Kill, an important stream in the area. The words "poesten kil" are traditionally supposed to signify "foaming water" or "foaming creek" in Dutch...
.
History
The planning of the school is well documented. Facing an enlarging student body (or possibly the prodding from the enthusiastic Commissioner Wait), the board of trustees voted on October 14, 1879 to have plans and specifications drawn up for a new schoolhouse. Reasons cited were for a growing student body and the current schoolhouse being in a "dilapidated condition". The board commissioned Nicholas Pawley, a carpenter from Poestenkill
Poestenkill (town), New York
Poestenkill is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The population was 4,054 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the Poesten Kill, an important stream in the area. The words "poesten kil" are traditionally supposed to signify "foaming water" or "foaming creek" in Dutch...
, to design the new building.
The fact that the design of the schoolhouse was commissioned is notable because most schoolhouses at the time were built based on templates found in architectural plan books. Most ended up as simple rectangular structures, made of wood or brick, with no distinguishing features. The Garfield School, on the other hand, was designed to be a beautiful addition to the town and become an icon of education.
The design was originally meant to be a two-room, two-story schoolhouse, but was eventually reconfigured to be a two-room, one-story building, with classrooms located side-by-side. The main building measures about 53.5 by. Each of the two classrooms is rectangular; they were originally separated by a sliding wall, which could be moved in the event of a large crowd or gathering. A vestibule used as a cloakroom juts out from the front about 8 feet (2.4 m); each classroom had its own entrance, which can still be seen in the photo shown above.
The construction contract was awarded to Joachim Filieau, who was a member of the board of trustees at the time. The designer, Pawley, had also bid for the construction of the building, but did not win the contract, probably because had been the high bidder. Filieau was also a local carpenter and built the schoolhouse to the specifications set forth by Pawley. Construction began during the summer of 1881 and finished in time for the beginning of the school year. The building cost $2,762 and was funded by a combination of taxes and four $500 bonds.
The design of the structure is notable because it was built to serve a purpose but also be architecturally and aesthetically pleasing. For example, the structure has a gabled roof and ornamental woodwork at the peaks of each gable, still there today, and visible in the photo above. Additionally, to avoid the perception of a horizontal, or "squat", building, Pawley also called for a cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
, which still exists today with its original weathervane. Also uncommon for the time, the building has a full basement.
The school eventually became known as the Garfield School, in recognition of President James A. Garfield, who taught penmanship at a nearby school in Poestenkill while attending Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Sometime around 1920, an 8 feet (2.4 m) addition was added to the back of the building to allow for internal plumbing, toilets, and sinks. This was added to conform with newly developed health standards, which required sanitary facilities in all public schools by September 1918. This was the only major addition to the structure over the course of its history.
Today the building is home to the Brunswick Historical Society
Brunswick Historical Society
Brunswick Historical Society is the local historical society serving the town of Brunswick, New York, United States. It was organized in 1974 and officially chartered in 1981. It moved into its first and current home, the Garfield School in Eagle Mills, in 1988...
. It was added to the NRHP in 1988, becoming the first listed building in the Town of Brunswick. Until 1986, it was owned by Brunswick Central School District, but was transferred to the Town of Brunswick that year, under the condition that the building only be used for educational purposes. The Brunswick Community Library moved out of the building in September 2009.
The Garfield School is considered the best-preserved two-room schoolhouse in Rensselaer County and has been used continuously since its opening. After consolidation in the 1950s, the building was still used by its home district at times of overcrowding, and was used for BOCES
Boces
Boces is the second album by Mercury Rev, released in 1993. The band has explained the title as being inspired by the name of the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services in New York State, a vocational school system in the band's home state....
classes for some time. The Brunswick Community Library moved in later on, as did the Brunswick Historical Society.