The Old Waterville High School, also known historically as the Gilman Street School, is a former school building at 21 Gilman Street in Waterville, Maine. Opened in 1912 and enlarged in the 1930s with Works Progress Administration funding, it is locally distinctive for its Collegiate Gothic and Art Deco architecture, and for its importance to the city's education system. The building, now converted to residences, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.[1]
The Old Waterville High School stands on the north side of Gilman Street, between Burleigh and West Streets, in a residential area just west of the city's downtown. The school consists of three major sections, consisting of its original main section and two flanking wings. The central block is a three-story masonry structure, built out of brick with cast stone trim. It has a raised basement, and a pair of entrances set in Gothic arched openings. Its center bays project, and its upper-floor windows are grouped in tall panels, accentuating the building's height. To the west stands the 1936 training wing, which has a more streamlined design with echoes of the original, and to the east stands the 1938-39 gymnasium and auditorium wing, which is more ornate than the first wing but less so than the original block. Both wings are built using similar materials to the original block.[2]
The main block was built in 1909-13 to a design by Freeman, Funk & Wilcox, an architectural firm based in Brookline, Massachusetts, and is one of its few known examples of educational architecture. The Collegiate Gothic style they chose is also uncommon in Maine, and typically appears only on college campuses. The wings were both designed by the Augusta firm of Bunker & Savage, specialists in educational architecture. Funding for the additions was provided by the federal Works Progress Administration. It was the city's second high school (and first after incorporation as a city), the first having been opened in 1876. It served as the city's high school until 1964, and then as its junior high school. The junior high was moved to new facilities in the 1970s, after which the building housed administrative offices and other education-related uses.[2] It has since been redeveloped to primarily house low-income residents.
^ abIves, Amy Cole; Smith, Melanie (2010). NRHP nomination for Waterville High School; available by request from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission
January 01, 1970
waterville, high, school, also, known, historically, gilman, street, school, former, school, building, gilman, street, waterville, maine, opened, 1912, enlarged, 1930s, with, works, progress, administration, funding, locally, distinctive, collegiate, gothic, d. The Old Waterville High School also known historically as the Gilman Street School is a former school building at 21 Gilman Street in Waterville Maine Opened in 1912 and enlarged in the 1930s with Works Progress Administration funding it is locally distinctive for its Collegiate Gothic and Art Deco architecture and for its importance to the city s education system The building now converted to residences was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 1 Waterville High SchoolU S National Register of Historic PlacesShow map of MaineShow map of the United StatesLocation21 Gilman St Waterville MaineCoordinates44 33 13 N 69 38 14 W 44 55361 N 69 63722 W 44 55361 69 63722Area2 46 acres 1 00 ha Built1911 1911 ArchitectFreeman Funk amp WilcoxArchitectural styleCollegiate Gothic Art DecoNRHP reference No 10000807 1 Added to NRHPSeptember 30 2010 Contents 1 Description and history 2 Notable alumni 3 See also 4 ReferencesDescription and history editThe Old Waterville High School stands on the north side of Gilman Street between Burleigh and West Streets in a residential area just west of the city s downtown The school consists of three major sections consisting of its original main section and two flanking wings The central block is a three story masonry structure built out of brick with cast stone trim It has a raised basement and a pair of entrances set in Gothic arched openings Its center bays project and its upper floor windows are grouped in tall panels accentuating the building s height To the west stands the 1936 training wing which has a more streamlined design with echoes of the original and to the east stands the 1938 39 gymnasium and auditorium wing which is more ornate than the first wing but less so than the original block Both wings are built using similar materials to the original block 2 The main block was built in 1909 13 to a design by Freeman Funk amp Wilcox an architectural firm based in Brookline Massachusetts and is one of its few known examples of educational architecture The Collegiate Gothic style they chose is also uncommon in Maine and typically appears only on college campuses The wings were both designed by the Augusta firm of Bunker amp Savage specialists in educational architecture Funding for the additions was provided by the federal Works Progress Administration It was the city s second high school and first after incorporation as a city the first having been opened in 1876 It served as the city s high school until 1964 and then as its junior high school The junior high was moved to new facilities in the 1970s after which the building housed administrative offices and other education related uses 2 It has since been redeveloped to primarily house low income residents Notable alumni editJane Muskie 1927 2004 First Lady of MaineSee also editNational Register of Historic Places listings in Kennebec County MaineReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 a b Ives Amy Cole Smith Melanie 2010 NRHP nomination for Waterville High School available by request from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Old Waterville High School amp oldid 1179203953, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
