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Sufficient support...
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The Bell Tolls No More: Harvey School District 5
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Top level
Lost Landmarks
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The last lesson learned from the "Old School"......
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The Face of "Old Harvey"
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.....is that preservation of Historic Landmarks in Manchester is a battle of politics, money, and those who truly appreciate their "Communal Heirlooms". (quoted phrase of Bernie Cowette, Dec 1993)
Who will win the battle? If the case of the 1865 Harvey School is any indication, opinions of the people have been, and will be ignored.
The Bell Tolls No More is a prime example of how little influence the voices of the people have had over big developers, here in Manchester. Developers didn't lose, though the people lost a significant, tangible connection between themselves and their community.
Often times, despite our dismay at the loss of such places, we can reap new benefits otherwise impossible. In order to keep a balance, and our emotions in check, we need to see both sides of the coin.
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In stark contrast to the present....
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...is this view in July of 1993 of the Harvey School looking south down South Willow St. This was formerly known as Nutt Rd, for the family so prominent here at the time. George Washington Morrison Nutt was raised in this area, and was hired by P.T. Barnum in the 1860's, being the "shortest man in the world". This family then was the source of the name for the road. He was commonly known as "Commodore", a title bestowed on him by President Abraham Lincoln, likely during his campaign stop here in 1860.
The preservation effort of this school a decade ago was spearheaded By Bernie Cowette III. His father and uncle were students here in the 1930's. Bernie, by the light of the moon, slid into the coal chute in the '50's, and therefore got his hands dirty in the effort to preserve it, what would be some 40 years later. What he found at the time, was the lone book to remain here in a closet: an arithmetic book blonging to...... none other than his own father.
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Had you ever even noticed it?
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The answer to the question probably lies in how old you are. Youth and young adults of today likely never noticed Harvey School, yet those of 35 and older certainly did. The school seems to have gone to commercial uses in the 1950's, though this actual parcel's recorded boundaries date to November 2 1840, when then "Derryfield" laid out the boundaries of the school districts. The original structure to stand here, was actually built long before, about 1816, and was a wood frame. This beauty was constructed of brick from a brickyard just south of here, (under the direction of the then "80-something" Jonas Harvey) and cost in 1865, $67.10. This included the room and board of the workers, as well as the three gallons of rum to keep them happy. (Manchester magazine, Network Publications, April 1994)
So, what was the historical significance of the Harvey School to stand here for 129 years? Well, it was of similar construction to a small handful built in the early days of Manchester's schools. Where it was unique, is it was the one to have stood upon the dusty "Nutt Rd", when it was surrounded by farms, fields, saw and gristmills; today, a sprawling expanse of asphalt, automobiles, and the hectic bustle of commerce.
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Comment List
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Alison Poetker
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09.23.2004 10:30
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Jonas Harvey Jr built this school. In 1860 his nephew , Jonas H. Harvey b Canada was living with him Jonas H. Harvey married Mary Nutt,, sister of the dwarf Commodore Nutt. In 1880 they were in Sullivan County.NH.
Jonas H. Harvey was a 1st cousin of my gg grandmother, Experience Harvey.
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Cathy Becker
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07.31.2005 21:47
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>
> Jonas Harvey Jr built this school. In 1860 his nephew ,
> Jonas H. Harvey b Canada was living with him Jonas H.
> Harvey married Mary Nutt,, sister of the dwarf Commodore
> Nutt. In 1880 they were in Sullivan County.NH.
> Jonas H. Harvey was a 1st cousin of my gg grandmother,
> Experience Harvey.
Alison,
Please contact me at cdbeckerco@yahoo. I have info about Annie Sherk Piper (my g-grandmother).
Cathy
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