A short History of Northampton High School
For the structure that we raise,
Time is with materials filled
Our to-days and yesterdays
Are the blocks with which we build.
-H. W. Longfellow -The Builders
American poet and scholar 1807 - 1882
On his death, March 10, 1788, Joseph Hawley bequeathed a part of his estate to
"the Town where I was born and lived most of my days" for the support of a
school that would aid in "the good education of the Successive generations of
the lads of Northampton." 1 p. 46. Major Hawley was so much interested in
education that he bequeathed nearly a thousand acres of land to the town for the
support of a school. Eventually, the property was sold; but the fund is still
intact [1932] and its income is applied to school expenses. 2 p.72
Even during the Civil War plans for a new high school building were forming and
in 1864 the old grammar school building, which stood on the present South Street
boulevard, was torn down. Payson Williston and other patriotic citizens
contributed money, and equal amount was given by the town, and soon a now
building was ready. This building, third on the site, was brick of three
stories, the high school occupying the top floor. Called the Town School it
occupied space between the present Hawley Grammar and the yellow brick building
of 1898 now [1954] "the old high school." 1 p. 192 The High School, erected in
1895, at a cost of $60,000, was destroyed by fire in 1914. 1p. 362
The Nothampton High School built 1940.1 p. 240
In the fall of 1940 the $780,000 High School at Elm and North Elm Streets opened
its doors. The erection of a new and larger school had been agitated since 1931.
Finally it was assured at a stormy meeting in September, 1938, when it was voted
to accept a federal grant and issue bonds to finance the construction. The
building is beautiful and well equipped and its facilities are much used by the
community, particularly the Little Theatre and the auditorium seating 994
persons. 1 p. 322
Northampton High School picture from 1962 Nesaki Yearbook - the vertical
line is due to the Nesaki having a two page picture... just the same, this is
how it was when we were there!
Northampton High School as it is in 2002
- follow this Link to Northampton High School - view the renovations! In 2001, Northampton High School completed a $26 million renovation and expansion, and it is now a two hundred thousand square foot facility. Its completely updated... check out the rest of the story on the link Overview of newly renovated facilities
Thumbnail Picture - this is a Large file - if you click on the thumbnail - give time to download - map is of some Northampton Schools (map date is 1930) i.e.: Hamp High's future location, Hawley Jr. H. S., in 1930, a grammar school, Vernon St., Jackson St. (built in1953), and Slough Hill school (built in 1876) locations. Slough Hill school was recently sold, being closed as a public school in 1953, having been reopened and used for various classes and workshops by the city of Northampton. About 15 students from NHS were involved in that closure in 1953.
Well I know the secret places,
and the nests in hedge and tree;
At what door are friendly faces,
In what hearts are thoughts of me.
-H. W. Longfellow -The Bridge of Cloud
American poet and scholar 1807 - 1882
3 Midi: A Time for Us 4
Bibliography:
1. The Northampton Book, Chapters
from 300 Years in the Life of A New England Town 1654-1954; Comp. & Ed. by the
Tercentenary History Committee, Northampton, MA 1954; Designed. & printed by
Alan S. Browne, Inc., Brattleboro, VT.
2. Northampton, The Meadow City. Booklet pub. circa 1927 prob. by Chamber of
Commerce.