This is probably my last blog on architect Charles M. Baker !
The former School, designed by Baker in 1916 is currently The Public Schools Administration Offices, 14 Vernon Street. It is a fine example of adaptive reuse. This bold, handsome structure dominates Framingham Centre (Town Common) the historic core of the Town. Charles Baker designed public buildings and houses in Southborough, and Framingham where he lived, as well as many other New England towns . His own modest Colonial Revival-style house is located just north of the Framingham Centre along Edgell Road. Charles Baker was a civic leader who was active in Framingham’s preservation projects, the Town Common being one of the most important.
Peters High School Annex, which was designed to blend into the Peters High School complex in Southborough, adopted many of the same colonial architectural motifs that Baker had favored two decades earlier in the Jonathan Maynard School illustrated here. Both buildings were imbued with patriotic overtones that recalled an idealized American Past.
Jonathan Maynard Municipal Building
Balustrade and Cupola with coppered Dome Facade close up
Facade close up
- Front Entrance — Colonial Revival
- Historic Facade
- Southborough Police Station, former Peters High School Annex
A recent photo to finish up this blog because it’s time to move onto another historic school building in Southborough !
I attended JM for first and second grade. I loved that old school. Second grade was the three windows directly above the entrance. I had Miss Greenwich. And first grade was in that small wing to the left but the back side with I think, Mrs. Morrisey. My best friends from then were Gordon Kendall of Belknap Road and Joan Valentine, Pleasant Street.
I remember we had PE classes in the basement at stormy times or outside on the common.
Barry,
Thanks. Your comment helps to bring JMS to life.
Kate.
I remember goofing up a few times in second grade and had my nose on the blackboard for some time…probably a few times until I learned my lesson. It was one of those classic schools with cloak rooms where we hung our hats, coats and mittens and stored our lunch boxes.
For first grade dad was still in the Army and we lived at my grandmother’s house at 137 Belknap Road…just a bit down the street from the Pike-Haven House and in second grade we lived at 57 Millwood. The address has changed as Blackberry Lane now goes through our former yard so our old house is now nestled at that corner on the side that goes towards the golf course. That golf course used to be a farm where I played on occasion with the boy that lived there.
Where a good number of houses are now towards Belknap was a huge carrot field and after Hurricane Carol (1954) came roaring through we all swam in the field although it was more like what pigs do in the mud. All of our mothers were aghast as we easily could have been covered by the weak sides of the mud walls.
Great memories…thanks for posting this!!!