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NEW BUILDING FOR HARTFORD PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL-1882-83.

The Hartford High School Building was destroyed by fire January 24, 1882, and a town meeting was immediately called, at which James G. Batterson, James L. Howard, Rev. Edwin P. Parker, Rev. George L. Walker, and Edward S. White were appointed a Building Committee, and an appropriation of $200,000 was made to pay for erecting a new building-$30,000+20,000 additional were afterwards appropriated for the furnishing of the school, making the actual cost of the new structure and its equipment, after deducting $60,000 paid the town for insurance, $190,000.

Following the public opinion most emphatically expressed, both in and out of the town meeting, Mr. George Keller, an accomplished architect of Hartford, prepared plans with a view to a fireproof building, of but two stories in height, exclusive of the attic. To secure school-room enough, it was necessary to enlarge the area of the building, as the burnt structure was of three stories. Mr. Keller laid out his work on an area of 22,000 square feet, and on looking at his plans it is found that he has occupied no more space than was necessary. The corridors are twelve feet wide, there are five exits, and a spacious hall 100 by 64 feet in width. He has arranged the stairways in the most convenient manner, as well as the reception, cloak, and recitation rooms, and the scientific apartments. Convenience, readiness of access, light, ventilation, durability, and safety from fire or panic, have all been considered by the committee, and admirably accomplished by Mr. Keller. There are fifteen rooms on the first floor and thirteen on the second, with a room for draughting purposes in the attic, where five or six more rooms may be utilized when found necessary.

The new high school building measures on the ground 236 feet in length and averages 100 feet in width, covering over 22,000 square feet, which is over double the area of the old buildings as they stood before the fire. It is planned for a two story building, having seven of the class-rooms on the first floor and but three on the second floor, so that practically two-thirds of the pupils will occupy the first floor and but one-third the second floor. The class rooms on the second floor are intended for the members of the junior and senior classes, which comprise the older scholars attend. ing the school. A glance at the plans explains the arrangements.

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The building is designed in the Gothic style, is 236 feet in length with an average width of 100 feet. The walls are built up to the water-table of rock-faced brown stone, and above that of brick, faced with Philadelphia pressed brick, with brown stone caps and sills to the windows and other openings. The roofs are steep and slated. The height from floor to ceiling, in each story, is thirteen feet.

The ground floor shows a central corridor, twelve feet wide, running the whole length of the building from north to south. At the south end are placed four rooms for the fourth class scholars; two rooms on each side of the main corridor. The third class occupy three rooms adjoining each other on the west side of the building, and the reception, library, and senior recitation rooms occupy the principal part of the east front. The wardrobes for each class are arranged conveniently near each group of rooms, and the water-closets are planned entirely outside the occupied part of the building. Separate closets are provided level with each floor, so that the scholars are not obliged to descend or mount stairs to reach them. The boiler room is under ground, outside of the building.

There are five exits from the building, two on the east, and one each on the north, south, and west sides; and three ample stone staircases lead by easy ascent to the second story. All the stair. cases are placed in the most convenient positions, yet so situated that the exercises in the different class-rooms are not disturbed by the noise of the scholars passing up and down the stairs. The clock tower, occupying the same position at the northeast angle as in the old building, contains one staircase.

On the second floor, immediately over the four rooms of the fourth class, at the south end of the building, is placed the large assembly hall, 64 by 100 feet. It is reached by two staircases, placed a few feet on each side of the large doors to the hall. Two junior class-rooms and the laboratory occupy the west side of the second floor, immediately over the third class-rooms below; and the senior class-room and recitation rooms are placed on the east side over the library and reception room of the first floor. The wardrobes, water-closets, etc., occupy corresponding positions to those on the first floor.

Advantage has been taken to arrange the senior wardrobe, so that its walls could be carried up and serve to support an observatory, instead of placing the observatory in the clock tower as was its position in the old building.

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