Old Bennington High School

The Old Bennington High School is a historic school building at 650 Main Street in Bennington, Vermont. Built in 1913 and enlarged several times, it is architecturally significant as an excellent example of Beaux-Arts architecture, and is historically important for its role in local education. The building, closed in 2004, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[1] Bennington's high school educational services are now provided by Mount Anthony Union High School.

For the high school now serving Bennington, see Mount Anthony Union High School.
Bennington High School
Location650 Main St., Bennington, Vermont
Coordinates42°52′49″N 73°11′24″W
Area2.3 acres (0.93 ha)
Built1913 (1913)
ArchitectCooper and Bailey; Duff, John W.
Architectural styleBeaux Arts
NRHP reference No.05000948[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 26, 2005

Description and history

The Old Bennington High School is located on the eastern edge of Bennington's downtown area, on the north side of Main Street (Vermont Route 9), on a lot that is bounded on the north side by Pleasant Street. It is a two-story masonry structure, built out of brick and stone, and set on a concrete foundation. The south-facing main facade is symmetrical, with a central section flanked by slightly projecting wings. The central portion houses the main entrance, which is sheltered by a two-story portico with fluted Corinthian columns supporting an entablature, a cornice, and parapet. It is flanked on the first floor by single sash windows with stone keystones, and on the second floor by bands of sash windows with transoms above. The front-facing wing ends have no windows, and a brick panel outline with marble corner blocks. Medallions are centered near the tops of these panels.[2]

The town of Bennington's first high school was built about 1875, and was over its capacity by 1909. In 1912 the town authorized construction of this building, which was formally opened in 1914. It served as a high school until 1967, undergoing additions in 1939, 1958, and again in 1975, when it was serving as Mount Anthony Middle School. The middle school was closed in 2004, and plans were laid to convert the building to senior housing.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "NRHP nomination for Bennington High School". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
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