Art Deco High School To Be Replaced
By Kate Nickel | Online Only | Apr. 2, 2009
Interior of Wellesley High School, built in 1938 and slated for replacement
Credit: Save Wellesley High
A group of preservationists in Wellesley, Mass., remains optimistic for the survival of an Art Deco high school, which is scheduled to be demolished in three years. The 1938 structure has been slated for replacement since last October, when the town voted to build a new high school on the property.
The Wellesley High School Preservation Committee formed in 2006, when concerns over the future of the old high school began to surface. "We feel that not only is this building still very functional and very sound, it also has a lot of background that should be preserved for future generations," says Tory DeFazio, committee member and alumnae. "This is an absolute architectural gem, and it's shocking people think we should just get rid of what's been."
The committee believes a potential review by the Massachusetts Historical Commission could influence the town to reconsider their current plans. But according to Katherine Babson, chair of the city's Wellesley School Building Committee, demolition is a done deal.
"The voters have spoken both at various Town Meetings and at the polls approving the construction of the new school, which involves the demolition of the old school," Babson said in an e-mail. "The [old] site is extremely constrained because of the proximity of residences and wetland issues. The new school requires the space currently occupied by the existing school."
The school district says it would have to replace heating, plumbing, and electricity; even with these updates, it would still fall short of criteria for modern schools, which include proper accessibility for the handicapped and better safety codes. (The Wellesley High School Preservation Committee disputes the school district's claims.)
Designed by the Boston firm Perry, Shaw, and Hepburn, the school features a number of rare architectural attributes: a tower, decorative brick, glazed tiles, and the emblematic letter "W" throughout the building.
DeFazio hopes that state funding for the $130 million project could come with the stipulation that the school district reassess the possibility of restoration. According to Babson, however, a $44 million grant has already been approved, and the school district is not seeking any additional financial support.
Work on the new building is scheduled to begin this fall and end in 2012. In the meantime, students will attend classes in the old school. According to Babson, a group is compiling a list of elements of the old building to salvage and reuse, including the cupola and weathervane.
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Comments
Submitted by GreenBeing at: April 8, 2009
Nice photos, taken from a distance and with just the right lighting. Makes one really wistful. But I don't see any close ups...probably because there never are when someone is trying to market a worn-out fix-er-upper on the unsuspecting.
Submitted by whs08 at: April 6, 2009
I attended wellesley high for 4 years, the ceilings leaked on a weekly basis, we had cancerous molds in the ceilings. It is in HORRIBLE shape especially for being one of the best high schools in America it's not okay for it to have leaking ceilings and generally rundown. The picture of a stairwell is not even used by students, it's an exit for only fire drills and the auditorium. Your attempt at making this seem like some tragedy is selfish, just as all the other people who don't go to school there attempts are. Its not a special building, it's ugly and rundown. Go there for 4 years and then tell me if it needs to be restored and the new building built around it, your opinion will surely change.
Submitted by heather at: April 6, 2009
As a graduate of WHS, I feel that the school has many things to offer. Sure it may need some work but I feel that the work needed shouldn't necessitate a brand new school. When I was there, we had more students that are there now. We had no problem functioning. The number of students are not what they used to be. I feel that the parents of these current and future children want a new school built for them and not for the children. Academically, WHS is still one of the best schools around. You shouldn't fool around with a great program. And certainly those who are opposed don't want the same thing to happen to our school as to what happened in Lynn. Maybe those people who want a new school should read about what happened at this school. I pray that its not to late to save this great building. When the accreditation group was here, they never said anything about building a new school, they just said fix what you have. Any school building is much more than just the building itself, its also the students and teachers, ect.
Submitted by Brian at: April 2, 2009
I hope it is appropriate to post a link here. I found a website dedicated to the preservation of this school. http://www.savewhs.org/
Submitted by Brian at: April 2, 2009
Man, that's a real shame, especially since they say the building is in great condition, well except for the new heating and so forth. I know that in Germany, for example, there are private schools in buildings which are 200 or even 300 years old! Anyone who has been to Europe knows that it is ridiculous to suggest that 80 year old buildings have outlived their usefulness. On the other hand, students deserve a proper education. Does the new school HAVE to be built at this location?