Portland Middle School
Connecticut | Posted: 09/21/2001The Portland Middle School has been in continuous use as a neighborhood school since it opened in the autumn of 1932. Set back from Main Street and facing the residential Fairview Street neighborhood to the east, this Tudor Revival Style building has undergone a multiphase refurbishing and renovation project, which was completed in the summer of 2000. The character of the architect-designed structure has been faithfully maintained throughout the course of the refurbishing. The school is a landmark in this small Connecticut River Valley town.
The two-story, brick and brownstone school is a showcase for the work of skilled artisans associated with Portland`s brownstone quarries. It is a key element in the streetscape, as well as a focus for community activities and gatherings. Many of the town`s 8,000 residents attended high school in the building, which originally served grades seven through twelve, and now holds classes for grades six through eight. Many community activities, including concerts and plays, town meetings, and the annual Christmas tree lighting and carol sing are held at the school. Park and Recreation Department programs use the school and its adjoining ball fields and tennis courts. A mile-long sidewalk running past the front of the school, connects the residential neighborhoods to the north and east with the business district and town offices to the south.
Towner and Sellew Associates, of Middletown, Connecticut designed the building in 1931. Architectural references to Tudor, Norman and Gothic elements include half-timbering and herringbone brickwork in the gable ends, a projecting two-story tower topped by a crenellated brownstone parapet at the auditorium entrance, and a carved brownstone arch over the main entrance. Trim details are rendered in carved brownstone. They include carved shields over each entrance, with symbols for music over the south door and 1932 above the main entrance. The roof is covered with polychrome slate shingles. The total effect of this design is one of time-honored tradition.
Interior features include sixteenth century-style oak paneling lining the south hallway, and oak doors on all the original classrooms. The Tudor Revival style auditorium features a hipped ceiling with braces ending in consoles. Original, lantern-type light fixtures suspended from the decorative brackets, have been carefully restored. Two, large W.P.A. era oil paintings by H.S. Barbour, were completed in 1933. Mounted on either side of the doorway in the auditorium, these murals show scenes of Portland`s early shipbuilding and brownstone quarrying industries, and provide Portland students and citizens with a sense of place.
The refurbishing campaign for the school included fire and handicapped (ADA) code compliance work, restoring the stage and gymnasium floors, refurbishing the auditorium seats, and replacing all of the original, five-part windows. Project decisions were guided by the school`s long-time principal, Margaret Downey, and building director Paul Bengston. At every point in the decade-long program to refurbish the historic neighborhood school, they sought ways to preserve the building`s original elements. Energy-efficient steel window sash were chosen to replicate deteriorated wooden sash and curved sash were custom made to maintain to original fanlights above the doors. When the fine oak paneling in the entrance hall was under threat of removal for modern fire code compliance, they found a fire retardant varnish from a marine supplier.
Community support and fundraising efforts led by the P.T.O., also played an important part in the refurbishment. Local businesses and individuals participated in a popular "Buy A Seat" program which raised over $30,000 to refurbish the auditorium seats. Nameplates listing everyone who donated $99.00 were installed on each of the reconditioned, newly padded seats. Additional fundraising included community bus trips, basketball games and Christmas tree sales.
A program to provide academic excellence was built during the same period by an outstanding administrator. In the same steady way that the refurbishing project progressed, Principal Margaret Downey developed a team approach for the teaching staff and a curriculum that gained notice for its excellence. In 1994 and 1996, the school won awards from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. The U.S. Department of Education also honored the school with a Certificate of Merit from the Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
It is difficult to imagine Main Street without the rich personality and character of the Portland Middle School. The absence or alteration of this building would have been all too likely without the effort, vision and commitment of many people in this community.
For more information contact:
Elizabeth B. Swenson
Portland - P.R.I.D.E.
P.O. Box 578
Portland, CT 06480
860/342-6798
ebswenson@aol.com
