2016 Fall Newsletter
The Chronicler
Newsletter of the Hartland Historical Society, Inc.
Gaylord House Museum, 141 Center Street, West Hartland
Mail to: P.O. Box 221, East Hartland, CT 06027
hartlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
HartlandHistoricalSociety.com Fall Edition 2016
The Hartland Historical Society’s mission is to discover, procure and preserve whatever historical facts may be available relating to the civil, military, literary, cultural, and ecclesiastical history of the town of Hartland; and to investigate and preserve such traditions and knowledge as now exist only in the memory of persons. The Society will be responsible for sponsoring and exhibiting the collection of historical articles, pictures and other items relating to the town.
Officers
President-Joanne Groth
V.P.– Cece Kendrick
Secretary-Sue Napierata
Treasurer-Bud Groth
Curator-Joanne Groth
Librarian-Martha Walsh
Directors
Therese Gundersen
Louise Hayes
Tim Kendrick
Hubie Parmelee
Melissa Sottile
SATURDAY, October 1, 1 PM
Come to the Wilderness School on Rte. 20, East Hartland ! !
Annual HHS Fall Membership Meeting with Special Presentation!
Look for blue, green & yellow balloons
Hartland Historical Society is collaborating with
Hartland Land Trust for its 10th Anniversary Celebration
Presentation by author Marty Podskoch about Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps in the 1930’s. (sponsored by HLT) 1PM
Artifacts and slide show of CCC Camp Robinson that was located in the Wilderness School area and across the street. (compliments of HHS) 1-3PM
Celebrate Land Trust 10th Anniversary with cake and refreshments 2PM
HHS Membership Meeting 230PM in adjoining room
Hike Wilderness School property with Tom Dyer (.5 to 1 mile/easy) 3P
In This Issue
The 1930’s seems to have taken its’ place for this issue of the Chronicler. Our Blueberry Picnic in August highlighted where our first schools were located and the school work of the students in 1930-1941. Enjoy a summary of our schools and poems/lyrics written by Hartland School students past and present.
Our upcoming Saturday, Oct. 1 annual meeting will include a very interesting presentation sponsored by the Hartland Land Trust. Marty Podskoch will talk about Connecticut CCC camps developed in response to the great depression by Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1942). East Hartland was home to Camp Robinson.
Mark your Calendars
Dec. 10
Santa Breakfast
8—11 AM
Pancakes & Sausage….
Secret Santa Gift Shop
E.H. Fire House
HARTLAND SCHOOLS 1763-1954
Resources for the following information came from David Gaines notes from town records and the History of Hartland book by Stanley Ransom.
In the beginning Societies were charged with responsibility of educating the young and raising the necessary tax money to maintain a school system. The First Ecclesiastical Society in East Hartland was organized in 1763. The Second Ecclesiastical Society in West Hartland was organized in 1780 (17 years after East Hartland’s was formed). They continued to be in charge of the school system until the 1818 amendment of the Connecticut Constitution commonly called “The separation of church and state” act removed their authority and responsibility. The Districts which the Societies had originally set up, however, continued to function as separate entities within their own boundaries, responsible only to the inhabitant taxpayers within their borders. These Districts or parishes were now placed under the jurisdiction of the civil authorities of each town. Each District elected its own school committee. They had what were called “visitors” that would drop in at the schools to check on them. In 1909 the entire rural educational system was revised in the State of Connecticut. Legislation enacted at that time, placed the responsibility for educational activities in the hands of a State Commissioner of Education, who in turn appointed supervisors for the rural areas. The schools of each town were administered by the local Town Board of Education on a town-wide basis. It was at this time that several School Districts were abolished and the property of each District acquired by the town as a whole.
District Schools—By 1820 there were 10 Districts:
Northeast, Southeast, Center, Southwest/Westwoods Districts in East Hartland with Centre Parish, Center Hill/Southwest, Mill, and Northwest Districts in West Hartland. The Hollow had North and South Districts.
The history of each of Hartland’s 10 Districts falls, more or less, into a set pattern governed in some degree by the varying fortunes of the families and inhabitants residing within each Districts borders. Some years would find only few pupil in attendance and other year’s overcrowded conditions, a situation Hartland has had to contend with for 200+ years.
The census of 1800 lists Hartland’s population at 1,318. In 1937 the population is only 275. In 2010 it was 2,114.
A time line of schools built in Hartland
East Mountain Schools:
In 1764 the first school was built on the East Mountain. The site is believed to be in the area where the Lindgren home is today at 1 Walnut Hill. This building was also used for religions services and town meetings as a meeting house was yet to be built. In 1808 a new school was built in the same area but was then moved in 1818 to a site north on Old Town Road. Center District or Center Parish and continued until 1901
In 1776 a school was built on what is now the corner of Rt. 20 and Moosehorn Road. In1830 a second school house was built on the same site for a cost over $2,000 with a law suit connected with the building of it. This “Stone School House” still stands and is now owned by Rob Mueller of N. Canaan. Southeast District (East Parish) and continued until 1909
In 1795 a school house was built on Old Town Road. Center District or Center Parish
In 1820 a school house was built on Sunset Road and was familiarly known as “the West Wood School”. Southwest District (East Parish) and continued until 1909
In 1830 a school house was built on Old Town Road. It was later sold to David Gaines and made into a woodshed elsewhere in town. Center District or Center Parish
1800’s possibly-date not known, this school was sometimes designated as the “East Indies School” because of its location in one of the outlying sections of town. It is remembered as being in the Granville/Lost Acres Road area. Sold and removed. The large school yard bell in the Gaylord House Museum is from this school. Northeast District (East Parish) and continued until 1930’s
In 1901 a school house was built where the present day Fire House stands. Cost about $800, burned in 1908. It is supposed to have caught fire by over-heating through the day and filling the stove with wood at night. Re-built same year in duplicate of the former one, at cost of about $1,400. During the next twenty years the population decreased to the extent that at times less than ten pupils were in attendance. The building was remodeled in 1938 and provision made for oil heating equipment. Within the next two years the enrollment had increased making it necessary for a new room to be added to the existing building. All Districts in East Hartland were discontinued by this time and all East Hartland pupils were being transported to this school. The population continued to increase and by 1948 the two rooms of the Center District were inadequate for the enrollment. The old school building was sold to the East Hartland Volunteer Fire Department and is still in use today. Center District or Center Parish and continued until 1948
In 1949 a new modern one story brick building containing 4 classrooms and a combination auditorium and town hall was built at a cost of $125,430. The school grew and continues to be the present day school for all of Hartland.
Four other schools are designated on David Gaines 1911 map of East Hartland but no further information known.
West Mountain Schools:
In 1765 the second school in Hartland was built and located on the north slope of William’s Hill about one-quarter mile north of the present location of the State Fire Tower (Milo Coe & 20). The site is now covered with bushes and undergrowth and is part of the State Forest. It served the Center Parish for school purposes for a total of 74 years. Center Parish and continued until 1839
In 1779 a school was built on Dish Mill Road. In 1961 foundation stones of original building still discernible. Northwest District (West Parish) and continued until 1875
In 1779 a school on Center Hill Road was built. Original building was of wood and burned about 1820. A new site a little farther south was chosen, school built of stone and was in continues operation until the early 1930’s. Town of Hartland leased to John Nelson for a period of 99 years. It is now in ruins. Southwest or Center Hill District (West Parish) and continued until 1930’s
In the 1820’s Mill District school house was no doubt built shortly after the one on Center Hill and a comparison of the stone work would indicate it being built by the same stone mason. The Mill Street was continued until 1935 when it began transporting what few pupils were left in the District to the Center Parish School. In the 1920’s it was overcrowded and by 1935 there were less than five. The bottom panel of the top drawer used for many years as the “Teacher’s Desk” became a place for each teacher to inscribe his or her name. The panel can be found at the Gaylord House Museum. The building was sold in 1945 and is now the home of Neal and Deborah Gilpin, 156 Mill Street. Mill District and continued until 1935
In 1840 a school was built to replace the school that was located on William’s Hill. This school served the Center Parish District as a schoolhouse for 97 years and is still in use as a component part of the home of Gail DiMaggio, 294 Center Street, although it was moved from its original site. Center Parish continued until 1937
In 1937 a new West Hartland Center one room brick school is built and operated until 1954. It now serves as a community hall and our town library.
In 1954 the West Hartland School was closed and the East Hartland School became a consolidated school for the entire town.
Hartland Hollow Schools:
In 1770 the North Hollow School is believed to have been set off. No records, but there is every reason to believe that it was set off in 1770’s. It is sometimes designated as District No. 3 and may have been the third set off after No. 1 on the East Mountain and No. 2 on the West Mountain. The original school house burned in 1870 and was replaced in 1872 at a cost of $1,200. Remodeled in 1913 and District closed in 1931. North Hollow District
1780’s the South Hollow School is believed to have been set off . This section of Hartland Hollow came under the jurisdiction of the Second Ecclesiastical Society after its formation in 1780. School and District discontinued about 1935. South Hollow District
Blueberry PICNIC READINGS “Binding the Past with the Present”
In the 1930-1931 school year the teachers and pupils in the Schools of Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland and Harwinton made the study of geography their special objective and, in imagination, became travelers. As travelers they wrote songs to cheer them on their way and describe where they went and what they saw. The booklet that was made has a song for each Hartland District and can be seen in the Gaylord House Museum with a photo of the teacher Miss Ruddy and students at the Riverton Fair. Eleanor Ruddy song read by Dawn Szewczyk Olsen, a 1992 Hartland grad.
In 1935 Hartland students went on a field trip to the Hollow to visit the site where Titus Hayes is known to have ground grain for family and Revolutionary War soldiers. Teacher was Lewis Mills. A photo of the group can be seen at the Gaylord House Museum. Jenny Hille Viksnes, a 1992 Hartland School grad read “The Mill Site of Titus Hayes”.
In 1937 these two poems by students were recited at the dedication of the new West Hartland Center School. Now today’s town library and community hall.
Lucy Mentzer Burt, a 2006 Hartland grad read “Farewell, Old School” Jeff Makowski, a 2016 Hartland grad read “The New School”
These readings are from 1941 and capture the thoughts of a 2nd grader and 4th grader. Elinor Dotson was a teacher at the time.
Jeff Makowski read “The Presidents” Caylee Olsen, current 4th grader read “Spick and Span”
Our last reading at this year’s Blueberry Picnic was written by current Hartland student Abigail Jabs. Her 7th grade class with Mrs. Alicata had the assignment to write their own lyrics about Hartland after reading Walt Whitman’s poem/I Hear America Singing. You can find the entire classes poems about Hartland hanging in the vestibule of the Town Hall.
Elise Lindgren, a 2013 Hartland grad read “Hartland’s Voice”
Hartland's Voice
Abigail Jabs
Hartland sings with a soft voice,
You can hear it throughout the breezes of morning,
It is like a cricket throughout the night,
Soft but ongoing,
This is Hartland.
You can hear the quiet people talking to each other,
We live in the mountains,
Not near any store or business,
But we live,
We live in small numbers,
Small enough to know one another,
Small enough to know what is happening on the
other side of town,
Quiet enough to hear the creaking of
the trees when a small breeze stirs,
This is Hartland.
The baseballs softly hitting the bats at the park, The ensemble sings in the first church, The mollify sounds fill you, Laughter coming from the school, Engines driving down long roads through a forever amount of trees,This is Hartland.
The homes holding the young and the old,
Families of sizes and of two,
The houses smell like new paint and old metal,
Different colors,
Different shapes,
This is Hartland.
You can smell the freshly cut grass on the school’s lawn,
Smells from the Coach Stop fill your lungs,
Smells of soil,
Of hard work,
This Hartland.
Home of the quiet sounds and the sweet smells,
Hartland is the home for the quiet soft songs,
Home of the daffodils in the spring and
soft rain in the summer,
Home of the snowflakes in the winter and
the maple syrup in the fall,
Home of the forever quiet town
of people living their lives together,
This is Hartland.
Photos and memorabilia of these schools can be found at the Gaylord House Museum in West Hartland and more! Come visit the museum! Open first Sunday of each month May-October, 2-4pm. Special requests considered: hartlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com