The new and modern school was completed in 1922 at a contract
price of $100,000 and an additional cost of about $25,000 for
the furnishings, grading the grounds and other items incidental
to the undertaking.
The building, was located in the Hill field, lying between Main Street and the
Cotton Mill and containing about 5 ½ acres.
Its construction came about largely through the insistence of the late Andrew
Mungall that Milltown needed a new school building and that it must be one worthy
of the town. Dr. Laughlin was chairman of the board of school trustees but he
hardly dared dream of such an undertaking though his hope was that it would come
eventually. When the war came, Dr. Laughlin went overseas and Dr. Grey became
chairman of the school trustees and Mr. Mungall continued to press for a new
building and finally resigned his connection with the board because of delay
in advancing the project.
After the war, the board saw its way clear to carry out the project which it
had always favored but had been forced to lay aside for a time.
Early in 1920, Architect F. Neil Brodie, of Saint John was employed to prepare
plans and in June of that year the contract for construction was left to Joseph
McVay and Sons of St. Stephen. The contract called for the completion of
the building in 1921, but work had not progressed far when it was found that
the markets of Canada and the United States had become depleted of cement and
there was none to be had at any price, and the contract was extended for one
year.
The building was a “home production” and was made right on the grounds
where it sat until 1962.
The concrete blocks were made from gravel brought from the Bay Road and represent
a considerable hole in the farm of Charles Maxwell. For the corner blocks and
other ornamental features, white cement was used. The building was 130 ft. long
and 70 ft. wide. In the basement there was a playroom for the boys, another for
the girls, a room for the study of domestic science, another for manual training
, lavatories for both boys and girls and a section for furnce and coal rooms.
The latter was fireproof with reinforced steel and concrete roof exits
protected by automatic fire doors and the latest in fire prevention and isolation.
A small detached heater supplied hot water for all floors.
The ground floor contained 5 classrooms, a library, a teacher’s room, principal’s
office, chemical laboratory, school supply room and wardrobes.
There is a central entrance and exits from either end of the fuilding to the
playgrounds. There were five classrooms on the second floor and qa large assembly
hall, measuring 45 ft. by 60 ft, easting 400 with a modern stage and dressing
rooms for the production of amateur theatricals.
There was a low pr4essure stream system, the best toilet facilities, bubbling
drinking fountains and on each floor there was a standard set tub with hot and
cold water with a standard length of firehose on each floor.
The building was equipped with a vacuum cleaning system, wired for electric lights
and fixtures installed on each floor. The recess announcements were made by
electric bell signals in each room Teacher’s cabinets were built in each
classroom. The blackboards were of natural slate and the wall coverings of burlap
with rockwall plaster above.
A special feature on the ground floor was long foot warmers, operated by the
heating plant , for the convenience of the students during the winter.
Doors and all interior construction was of native hardwood and the whole interior
was lighted by abundant windows. Every room was ventilated directly through the
roof. The principal’s desk was connected with electric bells in every classroom
and each classroom had its own cloak room.
The best and most modern furniture was , desks in the higher rooms having adjustable
tops readily made to fit any pupil. Hardwood floors were laid throughout.
Elmer Nesbit had charge of all carpenter work, R.E. Fitzgerald of Saint John
installed the heating and plumbing, while Vaughan and Leonard of Saint John laid
the gravel roof.
Joseph and William McVay had supervision of every detail.
Milltown took possession of its new school building on the 27th of
June, 1922 and the first graduation exercise took place there on that day.
Soon after the war, Harry R. Haley expressed to Majar Laughlin his desire to
show honor to the Milltown men who had part in the great war and when it was
decided to erect the new school, Mr. Haley was offered an oppurtunity to place
a bronze tablet bearing the names of Milltown men who had served in the capacity
within the school building.
When the new school was formally put to its use, and just before the graduation
excercises, the memorial was formally unveiled, being taken to the front entrance
of the building for that purpose. The Milltown band and a detachment of
men in khaki were in attendance.
Major Laughlin presided and the draping flag was withdrawn from the faces of
the tablet by five little girls, May Dobbin, Lillian Purcell, Kathleen Curran,
Jean Laughlin, and Esther Haley.
Canoon Hooper of St. Andres and Archdeacon Newman spoke briefly. Major Laughlin
expressed the gratitude of the people to Mr. Haley whose public support prompted
the handsome gift. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the National
Anthem.
