National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

worldp war iNPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.

1. Name of Property historic name Camden High School other names/site number

2. Location street & number 1700 Park Blvd. not for publication city or town Camden City Vicinity state New Jersey code NJ county Camden code 007 zip code 08103

3. State/Federal Agency Certification

As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I certify that this nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant nationally statewide locally. See continuation sheet for additional comments.

Signature of certifying official/Title Date

State or Federal agency and bureau

In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet for additional comments.

Signature of certifying official/Title Date

State or Federal agency and bureau

4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: Signature of the Keeper Date of Action

entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. DRAFT determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet.

determined not eligible for the National Register.

removed from the National Register.

other, (explain:)

Camden High School Camden County, New Jersey Name of Property County and State

5. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply) (Check only one box) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.)

private x building(s) Contributing Noncontributing

X public-local district 1 0 buildings

public-State site 0 0 sites

public-Federal structure 0 0 structures

object 0 0 objects

1 0 Total

Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) listed in the National Register N/A 0

6. Function or Use Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) (Enter categories from instructions) EDUCATION: school EDUCATION: school

7. Description Architectural Classification Materials (Enter categories from instructions) (Enter categories from instructions) _Late Gothic Revival ______foundation walls BRICK

STONE: Limestone DRAFT roof ASPHALT

other TERRA COTTA

Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.)

Camden High School Camden County, New Jersey Name of Property County and State

8 Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the (Enter categories from instructions) property for National Register listing.) ARCHITECTURE A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.

X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction or Period of Significance represents the work of a master, or possesses 1916-1918 high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction.

D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, Significant Dates information important in prehistory or history. 1916 1918 Criteria considerations (mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Significant Person Property is: (Complete if Criterion B is marked above)

A owned by a religious institution or used for Not applicable religious purposes.

B removed from its original location. Cultural Affiliation Not applicable C a birthplace or grave.

D a cemetery.

E a reconstructed building, object or structure. Architect/Builder Paul Armon Davis III (architect) F a commemorative property. Arthur Truscott (assisting architect)

G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years.

Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.)

9. Major Bibliographical References Bibliography DRAFT (cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.)

Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data preliminary determination of individual listing (36 State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested Other State agency previously listed in the National Register Federal agency previously determined eligible by the National Local government Register University designated a National Historic Landmark Other x recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: # Camden County Historical Society recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #

Camden High School Camden County, New Jersey Name of Property County and State

10. Geographical Data Acreage of property 3

UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet.) (see continuation sheet for Latitude and Longitude)

1 3 Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 2 4

See continuation sheet

Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.)

Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.)

11. Form Prepared By name/title Dr. Doris Carpenter organization Lion of Judah Restoration Ministries date May 2017 street & number 1736 Hillcrest Avenue telephone (856) 662-3826 city or town Pennsauken state NJ zip code 08110

Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets

Maps

A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location.

A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Photographs

Representative black and white photographs of the property.

Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items)

Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) name Camden Board of Education street & number 201 Front Street DRAFT telephone (856) 966-2000 city or town Camden Cstate New Jersey zip code 08102

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.470 et seq.)

Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this from to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Projects (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503.

ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 7 Page 1

Camden High School is a three-story, nine-bay, Collegiate Gothic building with a dominating, 75-foot tall, central entry tower. Constructed with concrete column and beams and steel-framed walls, its footprint is basically rectangular with projecting corner blocks and a projecting central rear block. Exterior walls are constructed of brick laid in English bond. Limestone and architectural terra cotta are employed as decorative elements, as well as diamond-patterned glazed header bricks. The interior of the school retains many original elements including lighting fixtures, classroom doors, and ceilings. Particularly notable is the second and third floor auditorium with its original proscenium, stage, seating, and central lighting fixture. The school fronts on Park Boulevard in the Parkside neighborhood of Camden. The original block, completed in 1918, is now part of a five building complex connected by raised passageways. The other elements include a three-story addition known as the Annex, constructed in 1959, and three cylindrical buildings, known as “pods” added in 1969 (see site plan). Only the 1918 building is included in this nomination. Though the school has experienced some deterioration of building fabric due to lack of regular maintenance, the 1918 building has had only minor alterations since the time of its construction.

Siting The original building of the high school measures 261 feet across the façade and 165 feet deep (photographs 1 and 2). The façade faces southwest toward Park Boulevard. Four flights of wide concrete and granite steps provide access to the main central entry. These steps are flanked by brick and concrete parapet railings. Two sets of metal pipe railing extend up most of the steps while the wider section near Park Boulevard has three sets of railings. The Park Boulevard side of the site is bordered by a stepped wall to the west of the central entry. This retaining structure is constructed with a poured concrete base, brick wall surface and concrete capstones. East of the main entry stairs, only a low concrete retaining wall is used. An approximately three-foot high, metal fence with close-set pickets is set several feet behind the retaining walls, and intersects with perpendicular fences to either side of the stairway. Chain link fencing hasDRAFT been installed in front of the lower wall of the façade, presumably to protect passers-by from falling building fabric.

The southeast side of the building is set back approximately 100 feet from Baird Boulevard. The sidewalk edge is marked by a low retaining wall interrupted in the middle by a wide, upward sloping, concrete sidewalk that extends to the east building entries. The area in front of the building is protected from falling building elements by a steel-framed temporary canopy. The east lawn of the school is planted with scattered deciduous trees and shrubs.

The rear (northeast side) of the building is marked by a chain link fence extending along the west side of asphalt sidewalk. This fence extends to the rear wall of a single-story, flat-roof projecting block associated with an original boiler room. A covered passageway extends perpendicular to the block wall ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 7 Page 2

at the west end of the block. Beyond the west wall of the block is an asphalt paved service area with parallel pocking slots beyond extending to Garden Drive.

The Garden Drive side of the site has a slightly inward curving retaining wall, concrete from the corner south to the center walkway and concrete and brick with concrete coping slabs from the walkway to the Park Boulevard corner. An extension of the metal fences extends from the Park Boulevard corner to the central walkway behind the retaining wall. Scattered trees shade a portion of the west lawn. The wide concrete steps extend up to the building plaza in two flights. As on the other sides, the solid railings are constructed of concrete and brick. A temporary steel and wood canopy is anchored to the center of the wall and hides the original central entry.

Exterior Facade A major factor contributing to the visual power of the school building is its slightly raised site above the surrounding lower terrain (Photograph 1). The rhythms of the façade are set by regular spaced vertical buttresses and a molded horizontal molded limestone belt course above the first story window openings. The focus of the façade is on the center bay that contains not only the tower but the primary entry bay, a ribbed pointed, Gothic arch with crown, haunch and voussoirs formed of smooth limestone (Photograph 2) The lower (basement) level of the façade has a concrete water table, above which rise groups of four and five four-light, metal-framed windows with concrete sills. These windows are replacements for the original four-over-four, double hung, sash windows.

The central entry is appropriate in character for the base of the tower. A long fight of steps provide access to central double and flanking single metal and glass doors, set so deep within the Tudor arch as to resemble a sallyport (Photograph 3). The ribbed pointed arch is supported by two slender colonettes, each sedately ornamented. TheseDRAFT doors are surmounted by central four-light and flanking three light transoms. Above the entry, a signboard identifies the building as “Camden High School” in carved letters, and the base of a blind arcade follows the extrado of the arch. The central stairway is flanked by matching, octagonal brick, limestone and terra cotta towers. The frontispiece archway terminates with angled limestone walls that extend from the limestone base of corner towers. The central entry features a molded cornice and a sawtooth decoration above the cornice. The second level of the main tower block is recessed from the plane of the frontispiece entry. This level contains four, four-light steel-framed replacement windows. The top level of the tower is fenestrated with two vertical slit windows with limestone sills and lintels to either side of the center line. The central portion of the main tower is crowned by the top of an arched arcade with a top blind arch terra cotta crenelated band with central finial. The apex of the corner towers consists of an eight-sided, blind arch, limestone cupola with a hemispherical roof and a terminating finial (Photograph 2). ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 7 Page 3

As noted, the rhythm of the flanking bays is set by equally spaced, brick, limestone and terra cotta buttresses whose caps project slight above the adjacent parapet wall. The remaining portions of the façade are constructed of brick and smooth Indiana limestone with terra cotta ornamentation. The terra cotta is colored to match the limestone. Elaborate terra cotta work is used above the third-floor windows with tabernacles with octagonal corner towers and intricately carved, leaf decoration (photographs 5 and 6). Each of the bays is fenestrated with groups of either four or five, three-light, steel-framed windows. The bays of the façade (Photograph 4) are marked by lower towers with framing octagonal, brick, limestone and terra cotta turrets. Three steel-framed windows are placed at the ground level. The upper tower levels are solid brick walls adorned with a diamond pattern of brick headers set in the brickwork and outlined with terra cotta. At the top center of the tower is a large limestone tabernacle with corner turrets. Limestone crests flank the tabernacle, while the parapet wall is crenelated above the crests.

Southeast Side The southeast side of the building (Photograph 5), which faces Baird Boulevard, contains the primary student entrance (photographs 5 and 6). As on the façade, its walls consist of a combination of smooth- dressed Indiana limestone and rough-textured red brick. Architectural terra cottage is used for ornamentation and is of the same color as the limestone. An identical pattern of ornamentation is used on this side of the building as on the face. Five pinnacle-topped buttresses are equally spaced across the façade and terminate with a cluster of buttresses at the inner corners the end towers. Interior bays consist of sets of three, three-light, steel-framed windows. A narrow bay next to the end towers is a bay with paired, fixed, leaded glass windows. The tower bays project slightly from the plane of the interior bays. As the terra cotta began to deteriorate in the 1990s, scaffolding was installed to protect pedestrians from falling building elements. This temporary measure has been replaced by an eight-bay, lighted metal awning. Castellated towers mark either end of the wall. These towers have ribbons of five windows on the second and third floors toDRAFT bring light into the interior stairwell. Northwest side The northwest side of the building faces Garden Avenue (Photograph 8). This side is almost a mirror image of the southeast side. The same pattern of ornamentation is used on both sides. Bays are defined by brick buttresses topped with limestone pinnacles. The four central bays contain four, steel-framed replacement windows in the interior bays (Photograph 9), and the end bays include paired windows in each. The wall is constructed from smooth-dressed Indiana limestone, and rough-textured red brick. Architectural terra cotta is employed for decoration and is the same color and texture as the limestone (Photograph 10). A difference from the opposite side is that flight of seventeen steps with one embedded land lead up to the entrance on this side marked by stone columns with crenelated capitals, a blank limestone transom ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 7 Page 4

above the double doors, and a carved limestone drip mold (Photograph 11). It, as the Baird Avenue side, is also used as a student entrance. The immediate entry area is protected by a lighted metal awning with eight bays. The corner towers on this side of the building are identical to those on the opposite side and are used to house the stairwells (Photograph 12).

Northeast side The northeast side is clearly intended as a secondary, largely hidden side, based upon the lack of ornamentation. This eight-bay side does, however use the same materials and employs the same general decorative treatments and design elements as the rest of the building (photographs 13 and 14). The parapet wall is crenellated, continuing a design feature found on the other side s of the building. The rear of the first story wall extends approximately 40 feet from the adjoining wall plain. A concrete block addition has been added to the west side of the single story block. This block is served by a rolldown loading door. A central brick chimney rises from this side of the building.

Interior Many of the original and historic fixtures remain and are in good condition. The main entry doors open to a vestibule, a space on-line with the central doors of the auditorium (Photograph 15). This space contains two sets of marble steps, a total of 20 steps with paired wrought iron railings. The side walls feature arched arcades above which are signboards on which are quotes in Old English fonts (Photograph 16). The west side quote is taken from Aristotle while the east side quote is taken from the Book of Proverbs. The signboards are topped by molded bracketed shelves used to hold school trophies. The ceiling is constructed of ornamental wood beams and beaded boards hung with a frosted glass and bronze lantern and illuminated with fluorescent box fixtures (Photograph 17). At the top step landing, central, two-leaf steel doors with a transom containing three arched openings, each with leaded glass, provide the main entry to the front hall. These two-leaf doors are flanked by flat, steel doors to either side, also topped by leaded glass transoms (Photograph 18). Double loaded hallway extends east and west from beyond the vestibuleDRAFT and terminate with stairways at either end. These corridors form part of a rectangular arrangement of hallways that extend most of the way around each side of the interior. The hallways are cut at the center of the rear side due to the stage of the auditorium. The main corridor is sheathed with vinyl floor tiles. The base of the walls is formed by a molded baseboard, painted black, above which are ceramic white wall tiles. The tile walls are capped with a molded wood cornice, also painted block, above which rise plastered walls. At intervals along the front hallway are shallow, paneled wood arches (Photograph 19). These are present in the northwest portion of the corridor and about one-third of the southeast section of the corridor. Portions of the ceiling are plaster while other portions are lowered with acoustic ceiling tiles and recessed fluorescent light fixtures. Original doorways are placed in deep partial-height alcoves with walls lined in ceramic tile. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 7 Page 5

Most doors are replacement hollow core wood with a slit window opening. The auditorium is accessed by similar double doors. Portions of the interior hallway retain original fixtures including a two-panel, low fire closet door with a single light in its upper section (Photograph 20) and a telephone booth with folding wood door (Photograph 21). Most of the interior hallways retain the original ceramic wall tiles, the baseboard, and the wall cornice (Photograph 22). The Main Office The main office is fitted out with replacement fabric including sheet rock partition walls and a dropped acoustic tile ceiling. The service county may be of older vintage. The front (public) wall of main office has wood-framed faculty-staff open mailboxes extending through the wall so that they may be checked from the main hallway.

The Auditorium The auditorium has a central hallway flanked by old style, metal-framed, folding wood theater seats with molded backs (Photograph 23) The floor beneath the seats is concrete. At the rear of the auditorium is a full-width balcony with sloping seating and a molded wood parapet wall. A bank of theater lights and a digital projector is mounted to the center of the front parapet wall of the balcony. The balcony, as well as the main auditorium, are illuminated by paired wall sconces. Balconies also extend the width of the side walls of the auditorium. The ceiling is ornamentally divided into a series of recessed panels. The central, most elaborate panel has four molded panels with inset screens bordered by a Greek key fret motif executed in gold paint, and a central light fixture with a frosted glass diffuser (Photograph 24). The walls of the auditorium feature woodwork with a molded baseboard, paneled wainscoting, a molded cornice and a molded band in a Greek key pattern. The stage is the focal point of the auditorium and features the original floor, walls,DRAFT and proscenium. North of the auditorium on the main level are classrooms with original doors and some original chalkboards. The original doors extant in student-frequented areas are generally in compromised condition. The health office is located in their corridor. Adjacent to this office is an original telephone booth and fire closet. Stairwells are placed at either end of the front hall (Photograph 25). The entrance ramp to the annex extends off the northeast side of the main floor. The first floor of the building is primarily used for instruction space for specialized curricula including vocal and instrumental music and home economics. Several of the classrooms on this level possess original doors that lead to the outside. The cafeteria is placed on this level as is the access to the freight elevator. As evidenced from surviving metal signs, this floor of the building was designated as a fallout shelter during the Cold War. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 7 Page 6

The third story space is primarily used for general instruction and includes some science laboratories. The science labs have been changed to meet education program requirements and changing health and safety codes. The third-floor space also includes the auditorium balcony. Although both exterior and interior changes have been made to the building, it retains a high degree of original and historic fabric and, as a consequence, clearly conveys architectural integrity.

DRAFT ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 1

Significance Statement

Summary Paragraph

Camden High School, a three-story, brick, stone and terra-cotta clad building designed by Philadelphia architect Paul A. Davis with the assistance of Camden architect Arthur Truscott is an elaborately detailed example of the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture. This style was employed throughout the country in the early twentieth century for urban schools because of its monumental, imposing character and its provisions for interior flexibility. Camden High School is one of few Collegiate Gothic school buildings in southern New Jersey and possesses local significance under National Register Criterion C as a significant example of Collegiate Gothic design. Elements of the building diagnostics of its style include the central tower with its corner turrets, the grand limestone, frontispiece arched door surround, the faux buttresses, the limestone window surrounds, the terra cotta tabernacle decorations, and the corner stair towers. The period of significance of the school is from 1916 to 1918, the period of construction of the original portion of the school.

Significance

Camden High School possesses local significance as exemplifying the characteristics of the Collegiate Gothic style. The Collegiate Gothic style is a predominantly early twentieth century adaptation of the nineteenth century Gothic Revival style that served a specific property type: educational buildings. Architectural historian Marcus Whiffen cited the flourishing of the style in the United States:

The Late Gothic Revival flourished in two other fields besides the ecclesiastical – the educational and the commercial. “Collegiate Gothic was introduced at Bryn Mawr in the early nineties by Cope and Stewardson, who in 1896 carried it to the campus on which is was to flourish as nowhere else, that of PrincetonDRAFT University. The supervising architect at Princeton from 1909 until 1931 was…[Ralph Adams] Cram who designed the Graduate School there, completed in 1913; this was immediately joined by other Late Perpendicular buildings by Day and Klauder. Yale soon followed Princeton’s example with the aid of James Gamble Rogers who designed the Harkness Quadrangle….Duke University, at Durham, North Carolina, and the University of Chicago also opted for Gothic…1

As the name suggests, the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture had its American roots in its colleges and universities. The style, whose academic origins may be traced to the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge universities, may have been first employed in the Medical Department of Pennsylvania

.1 Marcus Whiffen, American Architecture Since 1780: A Guide to the Styles (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1969), 174-176. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 2

College in Philadelphia whose cornerstone was laid in 1849. 2 As art historian Johanna Seasonwein noted, this and other Victorian emulations of the Gothic style were pastiches of mixed idioms: “Something Islamic, something Byzantine.3”

By the late nineteenth century, designers of college buildings had largely discarded the earlier design language, commonly referred to as Victorian Gothic, for a closer emulation of the architecture of Oxford and Cambridge. As Robinson Meyer wrote, “ground zero” for Collegiate Gothic architecture was Bryn Mawr’s 1894 building, Pembroke Hall, designed by the Philadelphia firm of Cope and Stewardson. This firm became one of the major exponents of the style. The style first received widespread attention was it was employed in Princeton University’s Pyne Library designed by William A. Potter, built in 1896, and the university’s first Collegiate Gothic dormitory, Blair Hall designed by Cope and Stewardson and completed in the following year. The style reached full flower under the guidance of Ralph Adams Cram, who served as supervising architect of Princeton University in the 1910s and 1920s. He wrote of the University’s embrace of the style:

By building [in the Collegiate Gothic style], Princeton was committed to the retention for all time of that collegiate style of architecture which alone is absolutely expressive of the civilization we hold in common with England and the ideals of liberal education now thoroughly fixed at Princeton.4

As architectural conservators Deborah Robinson and Edmund P. Meade wrote, “In the late 19th and early 20th centuries American universities zealously embraced the architecture of Oxford and Cambridge as models for University life.”5 In addition to Princeton, Collegiate Gothic characterized most of the buildings built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania. Its architectural language was embraced by colleges and universities throughout the country including Notre Dame, St. Louis’s Washington University, Bryn Mawr and Boston colleges, Duke University, Rhodes andDRAFT Kenyon colleges, and Fordham University among many others. Architects of high schools saw the use of the style for high schools as a means of employing the cachet of this style of architecture to the promotion of the proud industrial centers of the growing nation. Nearly every large, early twentieth century United States city and numerous smaller ones, used the architectural

2 [The Corner Stone], The Star and Banner (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), June 8, 1849. 3Robinson Meyer, “How Gothic Architecture Took Over the American College Campus,” The Atlantic, September 11, 2013. 4 “The Origins of the Collegiate Gothic Style,” website: https://etcweb.princeton.edu/Campus/text_gothic roots.html, accessed May 6, 2017. 5 Deborah Robinson and Edmund P. Meade, “Tradition Becomes Modern: the Rise of Collegiate Gothic Architecture at American Universities,” website: www.arct.cam.ac.uk/Downloads/ichs/vol-3-2673-2694-Robinson.pdf. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 3

style as a means of proclaiming to the world that their jurisdiction valued education just as much as the Seven Sisters, the Ivy League, and other elite colleges.

Among the earliest high school buildings built in the Collegiate Gothic style was New York’s Peter Cooper High School [present Morris High School], erected in the Bronx beginning in 1897.6 It, as Camden High School has a façade dominated by a central tower. Another early example of the Collegiate Gothic high school is Brooklyn’s Eastern District High School completed in 1907.7

The leading New Jersey practitioner of the style was the Newark firm of Guilbert and Betelle. Among their Collegiate Gothic commissions of the early twentieth century were the Newark Normal School, Newark’s Central Commercial and Manual Training High School, Montgomery School, and South Side High School.8 The firm also designed another northern New Jersey Collegiate Gothic landmarks, Maplewood’s Columbia High School and Summit High School.9

Beginning in the second decade of the twentieth century, many architects of school buildings began designing in the Collegiate Gothic style. Noted New Jersey school architect James O. Betelle wrote of the popularity of the style:

In a location where there are no limiting conditions, the common question naturally arises, “What is the best style of architecture for a school building?” It seems to be agreed among architects generally that for a city building a modified Collegiate Gothic is the style best adapted to the larger buildings. This is the style used at Cambridge and Oxford in England and in many of our newer college buildings in America. This style is not only scholastic in character, but has many other points that recommend him for use in large schools. Anyone can be easily convinced of the popularity of this style by examining the photographs of recently constructed school buildings. It is safe to say that 75 percent will be found to be in this style, if the building can be classified as to style at all. There are a number of reasons for this; one being the great amount of window surface to be provided to light theDRAFT classrooms, and the relatively small proportion of wall surface remaining. In the Collegiate Gothic style windows can be made as high and wide as needed, with only small divisions between to make the sash of convenient size for operation. The windows can

6 “Peter Cooper High School,” The New York Times, December 23, 1900. 7 “Cornerstone of E.D.H.S. to be Laid Today,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 26, 1906 8 Rawson W. Haddon, “Modern American School Houses from Recent Examples of Specialized School Buildings by Guilbert and Betelle, Architects,” Architectural Record (1914): 245-365. 9 Chsorgan.org, “Help ensure the restoration of Skinner Organ Opus 637,” website: http://www.chsorgan.org/CHS.html, accessed May 8, 2017. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 4

be arranged regularly or irregularly, close together or far apart without detracting from the general appearance or style; in fact, this often adds to the picturesque qualities of the design.10

Collegiate Gothic New Jersey High Schools

Collegiate Gothic, was one of the three most prominent styles for larger New Jersey high schools, along with Colonial (Georgian) Revival, and Beaux Arts Classicism. Among the other Collegiate Gothic high schools were Teaneck High School (1929), designed by the north New Jersey architecture firm of Hacker and Hacker; Ocean City High School designed by local architect Vivian Smith; Vineland Landis School, designed by Newark architect J.O. Betelle and dedicated in 1927; Keyport High School; Woodstown-Pilesgrove High School; Bayonne High School; and Hamilton High School West.

The History of the School

Camden High School, originally known as the Camden Manual and Training High School, was established at 450 Haddon Avenue, the intersection of Haddon and Newton avenues. In 1891, the first class of boys was admitted, and girls were first admitted three years later. By the mid-1910s, city officials indicated that the building had been overcrowded and inadequate for several years. Plans were explored for double sessions, and a committee of the School Board was appointed to consider the construction of a new $400,000 high school.11

The board invited six firms to submit plans for the proposed school. The firm of Paul A. Davis 3rd of Philadelphia was chosen to design the building. The construction contract was let on May 4, 1916, and ground was broken on May 26. The cornerstone was laid on October 14, 1916. Construction work was completed on April 1, 1918, the building was occupied on April 15, and it was dedicated on April 28th. DRAFT The new high school was characterized in its dedication program:

Student capacity—1,400 Auditorium capacity – 1,200 Lunchroom capacity---500 each of two periods Gymnasium size—78 x 40 Gymnasium locker space—1,200

10 James O. Betelle, “Architectural Styles as Applied to School Buildings,” from American School Board Journal, April 19`9 as reproduced in http://jamesbetelle.com/2006/07/23/architecture =styles-as applied to school buildings, accessed May2, 2017 11 “Schools Open Wednesday,” Philadelphia Inquirer, September 6, 1915. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 5

Student locker rooms – 6, each with a capacity of 240 Library capacity – 100 students Number of classrooms –46. Study hall capacity – 100 students12

After being in operation for over ten years, the high school needed expansion. The situation was reported in a newspaper article in which the principal, Miss Clara S. Burrough, indicated that there were 2,176 students in a school built for 1,400.

Renderings of a $450,000 addition, the Annex, were unveiled by Camden architect Byron H. Edwards in July 1931. The purpose of the addition, scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the 1932-1933 school year, was described in an article in the Camden Courier:

The addition will join the present building in the rear according to the plan of Edwards. The structure will be of English Tudor Gothic type with a limestone base and terra cotta trimmings which is similar to the design of the older section.

A modern gymnasium with locker facilities for boys and girls, student cafeteria, 33 class rooms, four teachers’ rooms, a faculty dining room and enlarged domestic science department will be found in the high school annex.13

The addition, which would have projected from the Kaighn Avenue (southeast) side of the building was never constructed. Instead, the city converted an existing junior high school building on Federal Street to Woodrow Wilson High School, thus reducing the student population at Camden High School.

Beginning in the 1950s, noncontributing additions were constructed. In 1959, a 61,000 gross-square-foot addition was built to the rear (northeast) of the building and connected to it by an elevated walkway. In the late 1960s, three cylindricDRAFT buildings, known as the “pods” and lettered B, C, and D were added at the rear of the complex. The pods, also connected to the remainder of the complex by elevated walkways are used to accommodate business and vocation education programs.

Recent alterations include the construction of a metal awning in front of the main entry to the school. In the early 2000s, the original entry doors were changed to glass doors. At an undetermined time, a concrete and brick retaining wall was installed around the south, east and west perimeter of the school property.

12 “New High School Building, Park Boulevard, Camden, New Jersey: Dedication Exercises, April 25, 1918,” pamphlet in the collection of the Camden County Historical Society. 13 “School Board to Get Plans for $450,000 Annex Monday,” Camden Courier, July 31, 1931. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 6

In early 2006, the architectural firm of Skidmore Owings and Merrill developed a stabilization and restoration strategy for the school’s iconic tower.

The Architects

The principal of the school was Paul Amon Davis III, described by architectural historian Sandra L. Tatman as “one of the most influential of Philadelphia’s Beaux-Arts trained architects.” Born in Philadelphia, he was the younger brother of architect Seymour Davis. He spent his early years in Haddonfield, Camden County, and graduated from the William Penn Charter School in 1890. He subsequently enrolled in evening freehand and architectural drawing classes at the Franklin Institute and the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Arts. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1894 with his B.S. in Architecture. Two years later he began attending the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris where he participated in both the Atelier Pascal and the Atelier Godfrey Frequet. Upon his return to the United States, he worked first for Philadelphia architect John T. Windrim and later for Wilson Eyre. By 1897, he was working in partnership with his brother Seymour Davis, The firm was dissolve in 1914 and Paul Davis continued practice on his own.14

In 1919, he established a partnership with Matthew E. Dunlap, under the name of Davis & Dunlap. This partnership was succeeded by Davis, Dunlap, and Barney, when W. Pope Barney was added as a partner. Davis was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1926. He died in 1948.

Among other schools designed by Davis, most in partnership with his brother were Chester, Pennsylvania High School (begun in 1898)15, Norristown, Pennsylvania High School (begun in 1899)16, Atlantic City High School (begun in 1900)17, school in Haddonfield (begun in 1901)18, Boys’ High School in Reading, Pennsylvania, a Collegiate Gothic building also19 colloquially known as the “Castle on the Hill” (begun in 1903)20, two elementary schools in Camden (begun in 1904)21 a school in Crum Lynne, Ridley Township, PennsylvaniaDRAFT (begun in 1912)22 , a school at Bridgeton, New Jersey (begun in

14 Sandra L. Tatman, Biographical Dictionary of Philadelphia Architects: 1700-1930 (Boston: G.K. Hall & Company. 1985), 187. 15 Tatman, 190 16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid. 19 DVRBS, “Arthur Truscott, Architect,” website: http;//www.dvrbs.com/people/CamdenPeople-ArthurTruscott.htm. accessed May 5, 2017. 20 “Reading’s New High School,” The Allentown Leader, November 20, 1903 21 “The Latest New in Real Estate,” Philadelphia Inquirer, February 25, 1904. 22 “Building and Realty News of the Week,” Delaware County Daily Times, August 17, 1912. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 8 Page 7

1902)23, Thaddeus Stevens Industrial and Reform School buildings (begun in 1906)24, a school at Royersford, Pennsylvania (begun in 1901)25, Spring City, Pennsylvania school (begun in 1904)26, West Chester, Pennsylvania High School (begun 1905)27, school in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (begun in 1903), 28Collingswood High School (begun in 1921), and a school in Yeadon, Pennsylvania (also begun in 1921).29 Camden High School was his largest and most ambitious identified educational commission.

Assisting Davis was Camden architect Arthur Truscott. He was born on December 3, 1858 in St. Austell, Cornwall, England and received his education at the Weston Home School in that community. Truscott arrived in the United States in May 1874. By 1877, the young architect had begun work in the office of Theophilus Parsons Chandler where her remained until 1883. In that year, he moved to the office of Wilson Brothers, a firm best known for their railroad and industrial architecture. He then moved to the office of Cope and Stewardson, the firm responsible for the Collegiate Gothic character of the University of Pennsylvania campus. Among the projects he was assigned in that office was design of a public school in Camden.

During his later career, he primarily practiced alone, living and designing buildings in Camden. Among these designs were the Cheney houses at 538-542 Cooper Street and the William J. Read House at 514 Cooper Street. Other major Camden commissions included the Camden Fire Insurance Association Building at 432-434 Federal Street, the home of J. Lynn Truscott at 627 Cooper Street and Linden Baptist Church. His exact role in the design of Camden High School is not certain.

Camden High School retains an unusually high amount of original and historic fabric for a building in continuous usage as a school for 99 years. It clearly conveys the necessary significance and integrity for National Register listing.

DRAFT

23 “Latest News in Real Estate,” Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9, 1902. 24 “The Latest News in Real Estate,” Philadelphia Inquirer, May 26, 1906. 25 “The Latest News in Real Estate,” Philadelphia Inquirer, August 23, 1901. 26 Tatman, 190 27 “The Latest News in Real Esttae”, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 23, 1905. 28 “The Latest News in Real Estate”, Philadelphia Inquirer, July 22, 1903. 29 Tatman, 188. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 9 Page 1

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Allentown Leader 1903 “Reading’s New High School.” November 20.

Betelle, James O. 1919 “Architectural Styles as Applied to School Buildings.” From American School Board Journal. April 1919 as reproduced in http://jamesbettelle.com/2006.07/23/architecture = styles as applied to school buildings, accessed May 2, 2017.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1906 “Cornerstone E.D.H.S. to be Laid Today.” June 26.

[Camden Board of Education] 1918 “New High School Building: Park Boulevard, Camden, New Jersey Dedication Exercises. April 25, 1918.” Pamphlet in the collection of the Camden County Historical Society.

Camden Courier 1931 “School Board to Get Plans for $450,000 Annex Monday.” July 31.

Chsorgan.org 2017 “Help ensure the restoration of Skinner Organ Opus 637.” Website: http//www.chsorgan.org/CHS.html,, accessed May 8, 2017.

Davis, Paul A. 1918 “High School Building,DRAFT Park Boulevard, Camden,” 114:2.

Delaware County Daily Times 1912 “Building and Realty News of the Week.” August 17.

Delaware Valley Rhythm and Blues Society n.d. “Arthur Truscott, Architect.” Website: http://www.dvrbs.com/people/CamdenPeople- ArthurTruscott.htm, accessed May 5, 2017.

Haddon, Rawson W. 1914 “Modern American School Houses from Recent Examples of Specialized School Buildings by Guilbert and Betelle, Architects.” Architectural Record. 245-265. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number 9 Page 2

Meyer, Robinson 2013 “How Gothic Architecture Took Over the American College Campus.” The Atlantic. September 11.

New Jersey Commissioner of Education 1919 Annual Report. Department of Education, Trenton.

New York Times, The 1900 “Peter Cooper High School.” December 23.

Philadelphia Inquirer Various issues. 1901-1915.

Robinson, Deborah and Edmund P. Meade n.d. “Tradition Becomes Modern: the Rise of Collegiate Gothic Architecture at American Universities.” Website: www.arct.com.ac.uk/Downloads/ichs/vol-3-2673-2694-Robinson.pdf. Accessed May 5, 2017.

Star and Banner (Gettysburg) 1849 [The Corner Stone]. June 8 [available from newspapers.com]

Tatman, Sandra L. 1985 Biographical Dictionary of Philadelphia Architects: 1700-1930. G.K. Hall and Company, Boston.

Whiffen, Marcus DRAFT 1969 American Architecture Since 1780: A Guide to the Styles. MIT Press, Cambridge.

Latitude and Longitude: 35.935522 -75.098178 Latitude Longitude

Boundary Description

The boundary begins at the west side of the asphalt walkway that extends east of the building from Garden Drive to Baird Boulevard, then following the walkway in a southeasterly direction until its intersection with the sidewalk on the northwest side of Baird Boulevard, then following the curb line on the northwest of Baird Boulevard southwest to its intersection with the curb line for Park Boulevard, then following the curb line for the northeast side of Park Boulevard, northwest to its intersection with the south curb of Garden Drive, then following the south curb line northeast to a point in line with the west side of the aforementioned asphalt walkway, and then extending southeast across the Garden Drive sidewalk to the point of beginning.

Boundary Justification

The boundary selection encompasses the entirety of the nominated building. The elevated walkway, a portion of which lies within the boundary, does not contribute to the significance of the resource.

DRAFT

Latitude and Longitude: 35.935522 -75.098178 Latitude Longitude

Boundary Description

Boundary Justification

The boundary selection encompasses the entirety of the nominated building. The elevated walkway, a portion of which lies within the boundary, does not contribute to the significance of the resource.

DRAFT

Name of Property: Camden High School County: Camden Photographer: Ralph B. Green, Sr. Date Photographed: March 2017 Number and Description of Photograph: Photograph Number Description of View

Photograph No. 1. Looking northwest at Camden High School principal façade. Photograph No. 2. Looking northwest exterior view showing tower rising above main entrance. Photograph No. 3. Camden High School main entrance facing northwest, showing granite stairs and base approaching entrance, arched entrance, colonettes, and transom windows. Photograph No. 4. Viewing tower at southwest corner of building toward northeast. Photograph No. 5. Looking southwest, viewing student entrance, 50 ft. driveway, metal awning, and tower housing stairwell. Photograph No. 6. Northeast side of student entrance, metal awning installed to prevent injury from spalling. Photograph No. 7. Tower, southeast side facing northwest. Photograph No. 8. Garden Drive (northwest) side toward southeast showing central steps and lighted metal awning above entry. Photograph No. 9. Looking northwest at exterior band ornamentation, missing lintels and mullions between 2nd and 3rd floor windows. Photograph No. 10. Close-up of terra cotta tabernacle with deterioration facing southwest. Photograph No. 11. Looking northeast at Garden Drive entry showing elaborated door surround. Photograph No. 12. Looking southeast showing detail of tower on Garden Drive side. Photograph No. 13. Northwest side rear elevation smoke stack incorporates typical design elements. Photograph No. 14. Looking southeast at rear of school showing concrete block addition extending 40 feet from main building. Raised passage connecting original school to annex constructed in 1959. Photograph No. 15. LookingDRAFT southeast at main entrance vestibule, original hanging lantern, original wall covering, replacement transoms and doors, and original marble steps. Photograph No. 16. Looking northwest at vestibule wall in main entrance showing original wall with blind arcade and quote. Photograph No. 17. Interior main entrance vestibule, original beaded board ceiling and hanging lantern. Photograph No. 18. Main vestibule side door with original leaded glass transom and wood frame looking northeast. Photograph No. 19. Looking southwest at main corridor showing original arched ceiling. At the right end of the corridor windows into the courtyard are visible.

Photograph No. 20. Looking south at original fire closet located in main second floor corridor. Photograph No. 21. View of historic telephone booth showing original walls and wooden frame located in northwest corridor looking southeast. Photograph No. 22. Looking northwest at typical double-loaded corridor showing historic wall moldings and ceramic tiles and replacement floor covering and dropped ceiling. Photograph No. 23. View southwest of auditorium showing original ceiling, walls and decorative treatment, and some original seating frames. Photograph No. 24. View south showing center of auditorium ceiling with decorative panels and central light fixture. Photograph No. 25. Typical enclosed stairwell, southeast tower, looking southeast.

1 8 14

10 11 9

12 13

3 2 1 DRAFT6

4 5 7 ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Floor Plans Page 1

DRAFT

Ground floor

21 23 22

25 19 15

20 16 DRAFT17,18

Second (main) floor With photo angles

DRAFT

Third Floor Plan

Historic Image No. 1. Original Camden High School, located at Haddon and Newton Avenues. Postcard from the Camden County Historical Society.

DRAFT

Historic Image No. 2. Aerial view of original portion of Camden High School toward west. Source: Camden County Historical Society.

Historic Image No. 3. SouthwestDRAFT façade toward west, 1940. Source: www.dvrbs.com.

Historic Image No. 4. Aerial viewDRAFT of high school toward northeast. 1940. Source: www.dvrbs.com

Photograph No. 1. Looking northwest at Camden High School principal façade. DRAFT

Photograph No. 2. Looking northwest exterior view showing tower rising above main entrance.

Photograph No. 3. Camden High School main entrance facing northwest, showing granite stairs and base approaching entrance, arched entrance, colonettes, and transom windows.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 4. ViewingDRAFT tower at southwest corner of building toward northeast. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number photos Page 4

Photograph No. 5. Looking southwest, viewing student entrance, 50 ft. driveway, metal awning, and tower housing stairwell.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 6. Northeast side of student entrance, metal awning installed to prevent injury from spalling.

Photograph No. 7. Tower, southeast side facing northwest. DRAFT

Photograph No. 8. Garden Drive (northwest) side toward southeast showing central steps and lighted metal awning above entry. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number photos Page 6

Photograph 9. Looking northwest at exterior band ornamentation, missing lintels and mullions between 2nd and 3rd floor windows.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 10. Close-up of terra cotta tabernacle with deterioration facing southwest. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number photos Page 7

Photograph 11. Looking northeast at Garden Drive entry showing elaborated door surround.

Photograph 12. LookingDRAFT southeast showing detail of tower on Garden Drive side.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 13. Northwest side rear elevation smoke stack incorporates typical design elements.

Photograph No. 14. Looking southeast at rear of school showing concrete block addition extending 40 feet from main building. Raised passage connecting original school to annex constructed in 1959. DRAFT

Photograph No. 15. Looking southeast at main entrance vestibule, original hanging lantern, original wall covering, replacement transoms and doors, and original marble steps.

Photograph No. 16. Looking northwest at vestibule wall in main entrance showing original wall with blind arcade and quote. DRAFT

Photograph No. 17. Interior main entrance vestibule, original beaded board ceiling and hanging lantern.

Photograph No. 18. Main vestibule side door with original leaded glass transom and wood frame looking northeast.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 19. Looking southwest at main corridor showing original arched ceiling. At the right end of the corridor windows into the courtyard are visible.

Photograph No. 20. Looking south at original fire closet located in main second floor corridor. DRAFT

Photograph No. 21. View of historic telephone booth showing original walls and wooden frame located in northwest corridor looking southeast.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 22. Looking northwest at typical double-loaded corridor showing historic wall moldings and ceramic tiles and replacement floor covering and dropped ceiling.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 23. View southwest of auditorium showing original ceiling, walls and decorative treatment, and some original seating frames. ENPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Camden High School Camden County, NJ Section number photos Page 16

Photograph No. 24. View south showing center of auditorium ceiling with decorative panels and central light fixture.

DRAFT

Photograph No. 25. Typical enclosed stairwell, southeast tower, looking southeast.