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May
20,
2004
What is
going on at the Gray Building? On Saturday, May 15, Senator Patrick Leahy rang the old school bell on the back lawn of the Gray Building. The Senator, who grew up in Middlesex, remarked that only well-behaved students were allowed to ring the school bell and he only remembers ringing the bell once or twice. So he was delighted with the chance to ring a school bell one more time. The ringing of the bell was part of the Open House and "Hard Hat" tour that celebrated the start of renovations to the Northfield Graded School to create a center for non-profits and small businesses. Over 200 former students, teachers, guests and local residents toured the building and shared memories of their experiences in the Gray Building. At noon, Senator Leahy was honored by the Gray Building Coalition for his help in securing a $250,000 Save America's Treasures grant from the US Department of the Interior. Following a brief presentation and speeches, visitors snacked on Ben & Jerry's peace pops and sandwiches and cookies prepared by the Northfield Boys & Girls Club. All visitors marveled at the 18-foot ceilings, the large square rooms, the steep staircases, and the trompe l'oeil painted arched doorframes. A number of former students remarked, "when I was in first grade, I sat right here." Two dozen local volunteers of all ages helped make the day go smoothly by directing traffic, hosting tours, serving food and moving chairs, tables and the portable sound system. Phase One of the construction began April 1 and will prepare the first floor for occupancy this September. Over $790,000 has been raised from federal, state and philanthropic dollars to renovate the building. Total costs to renovate the building over two years are expected to be $1.3 million. The residents of Northfield have always valued the Gray Building not only for its many unique architectural features, such as the retracting paneled wall in the second floor classrooms, but for its historical significance. As one of the first multiple classroom buildings constructed before the reform law of 1892, the Gray Building played a significant role in the development of elementary and secondary school consolidation in Vermont. The building was used continuously as a school from 1877 until 1994. The Gray Building Coalition, a non-profit corporation, purchased the building in July 2003 with a grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. To learn more about the project and view photos of the on-going construction, visit the Coalition website at www.graybuilding.org. |