May 2004 Vol
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The Courier MAY 2004 VOL. 39, NO. 3 A quarterly publication of the Manchester Historical Society, Inc. / 106 Hartford Road / Manchester, Connecticut 06040 / (860) 647-9983 Preservation Alert: BENNET MIDDLE SCHOOL by Mary Dunne pring has been busy for those Bennet Middle School Sconcerned with preserving the began life in 1914 as three four-building complex formerly buildings designed by the known as Education Square, now New York architectural firm Franklin Building, Bennet Middle School, c. 1925 Bennet Middle School, on Main of Carrere Hastings, for the Street. A subcommittee of the Ninth School District. Across Cheney Brothers Historic School Street was the State Commission joined with the Society Trade School, where young to encourage town planners to take men (and a few young women) into consideration the historical and learned the textile and drafting architectural significance of these trades. The Franklin, Barnard, buildings, as they move forward with and Recreation Buildings were plans that will decide the future use located around a quad. A of the complex. fourth building, a library, was At stake is not so much the preser- designed but never built. The vation of the buildings but the best Cone extension, built in the use of them. As of this writing, 1970s, completes the current according to recent news reports, square. The State Trade there is a consensus that most of the School, later known as the Gymnasium in East Side Recreation Building, c. 1920 buildings are worth preserving, but it Cheney building, is now also Note Palladian-style windows remains to be seen how they will be part of the Middle School utilized. A school, especially one to complex. The main preserva- industry there and ended up working which fifty percent of the students tion threat seems to be to the Cheney in the Cheney Brothers Mills. Many can walk, is an important anchor to Building, which is of significant his- descendants of the students, and even the neighborhood. And while it toric interest. some alumni, still live in Manchester. appears hopeful that the buildings The buildings are architecturally The Historical Society looks for- may continue their function as a important as representative examples ward to being a part of continuing school, modern educational standards of the later “restrained” period of conversations that will determine the call for specifications that this current design by Carrere-Hastings, the firm best use of this complex. Our priori- complex of buildings may not be able which also designed the famous ty is that the buildings be preserved to easily accommodate. In the event Beaux-Arts New York Public Library in a way that will best serve the com- that Bennet will no longer be used as on 5th Avenue and 42nd St. The munity. Stay tuned—better yet, get a school, the challenge, then, is find- Cheney Building is especially historic involved to ensure the preservation of ing an economically viable alternative to Manchester because of the many these buildings! to using the buildings as a school. residents who learned the textile Historical Society Welcomes Thank You! New Development Director Thank You to the following for helping The Historical Society is pleased to announce that Carolyn Kaufman is to make the office move now on staff as our part-time to the machine shop Development Director. Carolyn has a a success: broad range of development skills and experience, most recently with Easter THE PETERMAN AGENCY Seals. She has only been on board since early May but has hit the ground LORRAINE PETERMAN running by undertaking some major G.H. BENSON CONSTRUCTION grant proposal writing assignments and ALLIED CONSTRUCTION planning some exciting special events. Her energy, coupled with her enthusiasm for the Society will be an invaluable MANCHESTER WINNELSON CORP. asset as we move forward with our major fundraising goals. JOHN DORMER ED WAIT DON LAPPEN DAVE SMITH A Lifetime Gift: Leaving A Legacy The Courier A newsletter for members of the You Too Can Leave a Legacy Manchester Historical Society Web page: manchesterhistory.org and Make a Difference E-mail: [email protected] une is LEAVE A LEGACY month. LEAVE A LEGACY Connecticut is a BOARD OF DIRECTORS statewide public awareness effort to promote charitable giving through David Smith, President Jwills and estate plans. As you will read in this issue, the Society has Douglas Edwards, Vice President recently benefited from such legacy donations. We are grateful to all of our Gertrude Sweeney, Treasurer donors; your financial support tells us that you think our mission is important Tanyss Ludescher, Secretary and our work is valuable. Susan Barlow If you are considering making a planned contribution to the Manchester Anne Beechler Marian Camp Historical Society, there is a way to achieve your financial goals while helping John Dormer to ensure that the work of the Historical Society continues well into the future. John Fletcher A Charitable Remainder Trust is a gift arrangement defined by federal tax law Marsha Gunther that enables donors to provide income for themselves or others, avoid estate Hope Igdalsky and capital gains taxes, reduce income taxes, protect the financial security of Marshall Lamenzo Sean Lindsay their heirs, AND make a lasting impression by giving to a favorite charity or Leslie Nieves (on leave) charities. Tana Parseliti The Society is undergoing a major expansion that will make it an enduring Susan Shanbaum and prominent historical and cultural resource in eastern Connecticut. Are Mark Sutcliffe you interested in making a gift that will stay with us well into that bright Anthony Thibeau Edward Wait future? Then consider naming the Society in your will, as a beneficiary of your life insurance plan, or through a charitable remainder trust. Bequests will EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR help ensure that the Society continues to carry out its mission of preserving Mary Bellor Dunne the town’s history and educating the public, all while acknowledging the gen- DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR erosity and support of your legacy. If you want to learn more, we are prepared Carolyn Kaufman to talk to you and your financial advisor about this planned giving vehicle. Design & Printing: Grames Printing, Inc. Contact Mary Dunne, at 860-647-9983. 2 Cheney Homestead Cheney Historic District Commission News Recognizes Preservation Achievements by Mark Sutcliffe, Homestead Chair n May 13, the Cheney Brothers Historic District Commission recog- ur long-awaited roof replace- nized the achievements of several property owners through its ment project has been complet- O annual preservation awards. Commission Chair Vivian Ferguson ed! Professional roofer Jean O commended the recipients, stating that when people restore their build- Godbout and his crew from ings, they “give something to posterity and encourage others to do the Glastonbury Restoration, LLC, same.” This year’s award winners are: installed premium-grade cedar shin- Carol and Bill Trexler, who restored their Victorian residence at 57 gles that, with proper maintenance, Garden Street. Mrs. Trexler stated that when they moved to Manchester, will assure us of an attractive leak- they consciously looked for an older home and said their house is the free roof for many years to come. We most favorite place they have ever lived. were fortunate that the sheathing Richard Tambling and his father Eli were recognized for their work on needed only minor repairs. The step the house at 73 High Street. Eli purchased the house in 1962, and Richard flashing has been completely replaced lived there for part of his childhood. Eli Tambling also received an award and our restoration contractor, Steve for his years of ongoing dedication to restoring and preserving the house. Bielitz, is ready to proceed with the Edward and Lynn Firestone, owners of the Pinewood Furniture build- replacement of deteriorated siding ing, on Main Street, restored the façade of that building to as close to the and trim. Hand-in-hand with the original as they could get. As you will notice now, the vinyl siding which roofers, Bill Allen of Nayaug Chimney had covered up the windows on the second and third floor has been Services rebuilt the deteriorated fur- removed to restore much of the original fenestration. The building is the nace chimney, repointed a second oldest frame building on Main Street and has been a furniture store for chimney, and installed a replica of the all of its 114 years. chimney that Seth Cheney built for Ron Flynn and Ilke Carlson, owners of 10 Beech Street, uncovered his mother’s bedroom that was their house to reveal the original siding and completed other restoration removed about 25 years ago. Two work. early twentieth-century postcard The Historical Society joins the Historic District Commission in com- views were used to determine the cor- mending these property owners for their hard work. Their labor of love is rect proportions of the replica. inspiring and gratifying. We received only one donation, in memory of Mary Cheney (d. 1933), in addition to the $25,000 grant from the Cheney Family Fund, so we have Museum Docents, We Need You! had to reduce the Cheney Homestead by Susan Barlow & Florence Johnson Fund by about $15,000 so far. We What’s fun and convivial, doesn’t have any calories, and gives you the satis- anticipate spending another $5,000- faction of helping the Historical Society? Did you guess: Volunteering to staff 10,000 for various repairs to the exte- the museum? We hope so, and we hope you’ll give Florence a call to let her rior, most of them required by the know when you can provide some time and attention to this interesting job, replacement of the step flashing of where you meet new people, and always learn something new about the dormers and gables.