Welcome to the official site for the Somersville School - Connecticut.
The Somersville School: A Historical Overview
The Somersville School, located at 41 School Street, stands as a landmark of 20th-century institutional architecture and remains historically significant as the only modern public building in the village of Somersville.
Historical Significance
The construction of the school was a direct result of a major shift in the local educational system. In 1929, the traditional district school system was eliminated in favor of consolidated schools.
The funding for the project was made possible through a unique set of circumstances:
Funding: Judge Ernest Fuller provided the funds for the Kibbe-Fuller School in Somers Center. This generous donation allowed the town to reallocate its remaining public funds specifically for the construction of a new school in Somersville.
Completion: Construction was finished by the spring of 1931, a date verified by photographs of the first graduating class taken that same year.
Purpose: The new facility replaced the older Somersville Grammar School and was designed to accommodate both elementary and junior high school students.
Architecture and Design
Designed by the Hartford-based architectural firm Ebbets & Frid, the school is a prime example of 20th-century institutional style.
Key architectural features include:
Structure: It is a large, rectangular, load-bearing brick building measuring approximately 142' x 58'.
Foundation: The building rests on a raised concrete foundation featuring a "watertable" design.
Facade Details: The facade is characterized by bands of three windows with transoms, separated by brick piers. It is capped by a concrete parapet that reaches its highest point at the central entrance.
Decorative Elements: The design utilizes concrete for the stringcourse under the first-floor windows and for decorative patterns located on the end elevations.
Additions: A small addition on the facade is connected to the main block's enclosed front entrance by an enclosed passageway.
(Source: THE VILLAGE OF SOMERSVILLE: A HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY. Somers Public Library. ARCHI 974.6 SOM)
Arial view - Somersville.
Arial view - Somersville.
The 1970's was the time of our country's Bicentennial. The P.T.O. (Parent Teacher's Organization) worked with teachers and students in submitting projects for the Strawberry Festival. Many activities took place in the schools. (Photos by Nancy Brown.)
Somersville School - 8th Grade Class - 1955 Cynthia King, Irene N. Gronninger, David Cordner, Donna S . Cheney, Dianne Bordeaux, Carol Jones, Cynthia Leroux, Harold Eastwood, Paul Monstillo, Eleanor Ladd, Elaine Lawless, Art, Cynthia Angela Monty, Louise Buck, Helen Rose, Patricia F. Kozikowski, John Brennan, Barbara McLean, Paul B. Easton, Jr., Donald Thibeault, Susie Klaus, Arlene Shac, Lynne Bodry, Susan White, Ray Newcomb, Janet Balch, Sandra G. Smith, Graham Mathews, Gordon Lloyd, Richard "Dick" Berozsky, Corrine Wiers, Eleanor Kapahn?, Linda Butler, Nancy Wells, Neil Connell, Joseph J. Homicki. (Names appear as signed on back of picture.) (courtesy of Becky Connell)
Somersville School - Grade 6 - 1964 Row 1 - Kim Wilbur, Debbie Bauket, Cathy Shepard, Wendy Crandall. Row 2 - Gordon Humphrey, Danny Irish, Tex Levitz, Miss Barbara Schindler, Tony Jacobson, Rick C., EverettRedneau. Row 3 - Robin Granielle, Cocetta Pio, Cheryl Parks, Maureen Hogan, Judy Connick, Bonnie Breck, Linda Mason, Donna Leathe. Row 4 - John Ford, Jeffrey Skeller, Peter Rockett, Steve Scheitlin, Paul Hastings, David Bakewicz, Gregg Schumway, Henry Kusia, David Higgins, Ralph Keeney. (courtesy of Becky Connell)
Somersville Baseball Team - 1939 (courtesy of Mr. Ed Patewic)
Graduation Class - 1938 (courtesy of Mr. Ed Patewic)
Somersville School Glee Club - Early 1940's Row 1 - Norma Bastarache, Roselle Heaps, Beatrice Kulas, Terry Cormier, , Marjorie Wild, Audrey Larned, • ROW 2 - Florence Girschic Brown, Marjorie Kibbe, Jeanette Hebert, Mary Brennan, Barbara Mack Poole, Geneva Blizniak, Priscilla Converse, Beverly LaBreque, Joan Hutton.
Somersville School mid-late 1990s.