Hartland Academy

‘It is a commodious brick building containing a well equipped high school and grammar school.’

Description of the new Hartland Academy building after it was built in 1856

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Rendering of the new Academy Building built in 1856 from an insert of the 1860 Somerset County Map

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* An Act to Incorporate St Albans Academy | Chapter 228 *

Maine State Senate and House of Representatives

Approved February 11, 1832

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in Legislature assembled; That there be and hereby is established in the town of St. Albans, in the County of Somerset, at, or near, Stafford’s Mills, so called in said town, an Academy by the name of the St. Albans Academy for the education of youth and the promotion of morality and religion, and that Henry Warren, Sewell Prescott, Augustus J. Brown, George Lancey Jr, Levi Johnson, Ebenezer Hutchinson, Cleophus Boyd, Ambrose Finson, Abraham Bean, Dr. Calvin Blake, Peleg C. Haskell, Thomas Smith, Joseph Roberts and Nathan Douglass, and their successors be and hereby are incorporated into a body politic by the name of the Trustees of the St. Albans Academy, with power by that name, to prosecute and defend suits at Law, to have a common seal, to make by-laws not repugnant to the laws of the State, to take and hold any estates, real or personal, the annual income of which shall not exceed three thousand dollars, to be so applied as most effectually to promote the design of said institution, and to sell and convey the same at pleasure, and all deeds or conveyances, signed by the Treasurer of said Trustees, and under the seal of said corporation, shall be good and valid in law, provided such sale or conveyance be authorized by the Trustees.

Section 2. Be it further enacted; That said Trustees are hereby made capable in law to take hold and possess all lands, moneys or other property heretofore given, granted or subscribed, for the purpose of erecting or establishing an Academy as aforesaid, or which may hereafter be given, granted or assigned to said Trustees, for the uses expressed in such gift, grant, subscription or assignment.

Section 3. Be it further enacted; That the number of said Trustees shall never exceed fifteen, nor be less than nine, seven of whom shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, but a less number may adjourn from time to time. And a majority of those present shall be sufficient to decide all questions, except that a majority of all the Trustees shall be necessary to remove any member of, or fill any vacancy in said Board. And said Trustees shall have power to remove any Trustee from office, who, from age or any other cause shall become incapable of discharging the duties thereof, and to fill all vacancies that may occur in said Board by death, resignation or otherwise, by written votes. And said Trustees for the time being, shall be visitors and governors of said institution, and may elect such officer, thereof, as they shall judge necessary, and the tenure of their respective offices shall be during the pleasure of said Trustees but not beyond the term of four years.

Section 4. Be it further enacted; That Henry Warren may fix the time and place for holding the first meeting of said Trustees, giving them personal notice thereof in writing, three days prior to such meeting.

Section 5. Be it further enacted; That the powers granted by this Act may be enlarged, restrained, or annulled at the pleasure of the Legislature.

Section 6. Be it further enacted; That unless said Trustees shall within one year from the passing of this Act be in possession of funds, or property, for the use of Academy, or shall have vested in a building, for the same purpose, which, together shall amount to the sum of sixteen hundred dollars, at least, and have also commence the business of instruction within eighteen months from the passage of this Act the powers granted by this Act shall be null.

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The Academy’s first temporary schoolhouse was located at the former Stafford’s Mills, so called, next to the current Academy Street site in what was then still part of St Albans. This original location later became the homestead of Albion Keith Libby. Soon after, a 1-1/2 story wooden structure was built in 1834 on the current Academy site which remained in use until 1856 when a new brick structure was built. The Academy’s first Principal was William J. Carthell.

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An 1838 listing of those attending Hartland Academy at the time noted 66 total students of which 22 were girls. Among some of the local Hartland students noted were Daniel Elliott, David Rowell, Laura Butterfield, Betsey Harmon, Dorothy “Dolly” Moor, Ezekiel Marsh, Amasa J. Moor and George Page.

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In 1846, the Hartland-St Albans Town line was redefined placing the school within Hartland town limits but interchangeable references to it as St Albans Academy or Hartland Academy continued for decades. At some point following the town line changes, the building itself became jointly owned by the Hartland Academy Association and the Town of Hartland but the Academy’s Secondary Prep School program remained as its own separate entity.

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1853 Fall Term Catalogue of the Officers & Students of St Albans Academy

          

          

          

         

St Albans Academy Catalogue – 1853

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In 1856, a new brick building to house the Academy was built on its current site on Academy Street at a reported cost of $3,500.

Hartland Academy Brick Schoolhouse – c1900

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The former wooden Academy schoolhouse which had sat on the site since 1834 was sold to James Fuller, Jr and moved across the street at what is now the corner of Academy Street & Crosby Street as seen below noted as “J. Fuller”. It was later converted into a duplex apartment owned by Edward K. Fuller then his son Ord K. Fuller. In 1946, it was purchased back by the Academy from Mrs. Grace (Griffith) McDougall for use as faculty housing and was eventually torn down.

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Location of the new brick Hartland Academy building & former Academy wooden schoolhouse on Academy Street.

Hartland Academy – 1860 Map

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Augusta Adelaide (Davis) Billings, known as Addie, was born in St Albans and became a Teacher at Hartland Academy. She eventually became the Academy’s 1st female Assistant Principal under Principal Jonathan Soule. Soon after the Census of 1870 was taken, Addie moved with her parents from St Albans to Rockford, Iowa and in 1871 married Edward E. Billings who had also moved to Rockford from Hartland a few years before. Edward is the son of Josiah Billings & Lydia Ellen Monroe who moved to Hartland in 1856 where he built a tannery at the Upper Dam off North Street.

Addie continued teaching in Iowa where she and Edward raised their 5 children and remained until their deaths. Following Edward’s death, Addie visited the Hartland area in the 1930s where she was mentioned in local newspaper articles recalling stories of her time teaching at the Academy. Eugene & Addie are interred at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City, Iowa with his Father and Step-Mother. Edward’s mother Lydia is interred at Ireland Cemetery.

Augusta Adelaide (Davis) Billings (1848-1935)

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Hartland Academy’s Secondary Prep School program was its own private entity managed financially and operationally by a Board of Trustees. Although the prep school program was separate from the town, the building was shared by local area students who attended school there by means of a financial contract authorized and paid for annually by its citizens. Under this agreement, it served as a multi-purpose facility for various levels of private and public education.

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A couple of local civic organizations also used the new building with the first beginning in 1858 when a dedicated room on the upper floor was leased by the newly chartered Hartland Corinthian Lodge No. 95. In 1883, another room was used by the Hartland International Order of Odd Fellows No. 101 until their new meeting room was built at the Opera House-Town Hall in 1892.

Hartland Academy with its familiar Belfry

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Hartland Academy’s Secondary Prep School program was a private, tuition based course of study which drew hundreds of students from around the area over the decades, many of whom were boarded by local townspeople for an additional fee. Its impressive list of alumnus who attended school there include future Maine Governors Selden Connor and Llewellyn Powers as well as numerous lawyers, judges, university presidents, ambassadors and other professionals.

Hartland Academy Secondary Prep School Program – Fall Term 1872

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Hartland Academy sits upon its familiar perch to the left on Academy Street as seen here from the Baptist Church Steeple from around 1877.

Hartland Academy  – c1877

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The Academy also shared classroom space with Hartland Common Schools (Primary to Grade 8) as well as its high school grade students. As seen below, rooms and services were leased to the town on a yearly basis with the fees and conditions voted on annually at Town Meetings. This arrangement stood for decades with almost every grade using a room at the Academy at one time or another.

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1903 Hartland Town Report – Article 24: To see if the town will vote to authorize the Superintending School Committee to make arrangements with the Trustees of Hartland Academy for the instruction of our free High School and Grammar School pupils.

1929 Hartland Town Report – Article 14: To see if the town will vote to instruct the Super­intending School Committee to arrange with Hartland Academy to furnish instructions to its High School pupils for the year ensuing, and to act upon anything relating thereto, and to raise such sums of money as will be necessary to furnish its pupils with free High School instruction.

1949 Hartland Town Report – Article 40: To see if the town will vote to authorize its Super­intending School Committee to contract with Hartland Academy, to furnish instruction to its high school pupils.

1949 Hartland Town Report – Article 41: To see what sum the town will vote to raise and appropriate to furnish instruction to its high school pupils. (Recommended $7,500.00)

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To see more digitized Hartland Town Reports dating back to the early 1900s, click the link below:

Hartland Town Reports Online

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Hartland Academy before 1917 Gymnasium Renovation & Fire Escape Additions.

Hartland Academy – c1900

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Several photos from the collection of Hartland Academy Class of 1906 Alumnus Mary (Anderson) Butterfield (1888-1985) include Hartland Academy Students, Hartland Common School Students and Teachers at Hartland Academy from the late 1890s to the early 1900s. (Photos courtesy of Maggie Smith)

 

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Mary (Anderson) Butterfield with her Students

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A noted gathering of Teachers for some type of training (?) with several from Hartland Academy including Mary (Anderson) Butterfield.

Teacher’s Meeting at Hartland Academy – c1907

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1904 Hartland Academy Baseball Team in front of Charles F. Pratt’s General Store on Academy Street next to the Opera House.

Hartland Academy Baseball Team – 1904

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The original site of the Academy’s first temporary schoolhouse in 1832 is seen in the background as the Albion K. Libby Homestead.

Hartland Academy & Albion K. Libby Homestead – 1917

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One of the several photos of children who attended classes at Hartland Academy. More photos may be found at Hartland Common Schools.

Hartland Common School Pupils at Hartland Academy – c1916

(Photo courtesy of Donna Perkins & Cheryl Simpson)

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Names of these pupils above were written on the back of the photo. Many of them are also noted below with the Classes of 1925 & 1926.

Hartland Common School Pupils 

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David Densmore Stewart (1823-1917) spent the last few years of his life disbursing his large personal accumulated wealth and the vast fortune he inherited from his brother Levi Merrick Stewart (1827-1910) who also attended Hartland Academy for a time. David was born in Corinna and graduated from Hartland Academy then studied law at Bowdoin College. He moved to St Albans where he was a successful lawyer for the remainder of his life. He was a Maine House of Representative in 1862 and a Maine State Senator from 1863-1865, serving as Senate President in 1865.

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In 1914, the Honorable David D. Stewart presented his Alma Mata with a gracious financial gift to build a full size athletic field behind the school. Stewart also made financial donations to the Hartland Public Library and upon his death 450 books from his personal library were presented to the library in his name.

Hazel (Emery) Penny (1892-1977) on Blake Street with new Athletic Field before Gymnasium Renovation – c1915

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Soon after the new athletic field was completed, another donation from David D. Stewart saw numerous improvements made to the Academy building about 1916 among which included running water, electric lights, modern plumbing, a well-equipped and updated chemical laboratory and a splendid gymnasium in the upper story. Additionally, in Stewart’s Will a sum of $3,000 was bequeathed of which the yearly interest was given the Academy for future maintenance of the building and athletic field.

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The change of windows in the center of the building after the gym remodeling project are seen in the photos below.

Hartland Academy’s New Athletic Field before Grandstand was built – c1918

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Soon after Mr. Thomas Thomas moved to Hartland to become the Resident Agent for the American Woolen Company which had recently taken over the Linn Woolen Mill, he led the way in construction of a large, covered grandstand at the new Academy Athletic Field around 1920 which would stand until it was replaced in 1952. Thomas and his family had moved into the former Thomas A. Linn house on the corner of Academy & Blake Street in August of 1916.

Hartland Academy Athletic Field after new covered Grandstand was built – c1920

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Baseball Game being played on the Hartland Academy Athletic Field – c1920

(Photo donated by Timothy Boulanger)

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Included in the Hartland Academy remodeling project was the addition of exterior Fire Escapes on the sides of the building.

Hartland Academy with new exterior Fire Escape – c1917

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Hartland Academy with new exterior Fire Escapes – Taken between 1917 & 1923

Hartland Academy Painting with new Exterior Fire Escape – Taken between 1917 & 1923

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Hartland Academy with new exterior Fire Escapes – Taken between 1917 & 1923

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Several large, framed photographs of Senior Class Group photos at Hartland Academy were donated to the Hartland Historical Society by the Hartland Academy Alumni Association and the Town of Hartland for preservation which we are pleased to share below. Many other items have also been donated or their photos shared with us so we may present the storied history of Hartland Academy over the decades of its existence. We are grateful for these contributions and welcome all related items or photos. As more items and photos are gathered we will continue to add them to their respective classes in our growing online collection below.

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Although the exact year was not noted, we do know Beatrice Randlett (Class of 1920) was in this rare interior photo taken around 1916.

Hartland Academy Classroom – c1916

(Photo courtesy of Estelle Randlett Tapley)

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In 1915, the 1st known edition of a Hartland Academy Yearbook was published by students and faculty. Publication of “The Ripple” continued, with a couple of possible exceptions, until the Academy’s final graduation year in 1968. We continue to search for the missing editions but have a fine collection of most of the original yearbooks in our archives thanks to the generosity of numerous donors over the years. A major project to digitize every page of all the yearbooks currently in our archives and share them here on our website has recently been completed. Editions which have been digitized are attached to their respective class listing.

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Hartland Historical Society Inventory Status of The Ripple as of January 1, 2022

Red = Missing Edition  |  Blue = On Hand – Not Digitized |  Purple = On Hand – Digitized & Included Below

1915   1916   1917   1918   1919   1920   1921   1922   1923   1924   1925   1926   1927   1928   1929   1930   1931

1932   1933   1934   1935   1936   1937   1938   1939   1940   1941   1942   1943   1944   1945   1946   1947   1948   1949

1950   1951   1952   1953   1954   1955   1956   1957   1958   1959   1960   1961   1962   1963   1964   1965   1966   1967   1968

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The Ripple – Published 1915 to 1968

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Hundreds of young men and women from Hartland and the surrounding areas attended high school at Hartland Academy. References to some of those who graduated before 1900 were later included in the 1930 & 1931 editions of The Ripple. While far from complete, many familiar names (w/maiden name) appear with their known graduation year.

Walter H. Moore ~ 1874 | Harry Williams ~ 1875 | Alice (Waldron) Seekins  ~ 1877 | Joseph L. Ford ~ 1877

George M. Lancey ~ 1878 | Annie (Linn) Lancey ~ 1880 | Nettie Williams ~ 1880 | Hattie E. Baird ~ 1880

Ord K. Fuller ~ 1885 | Edward A. Webber ~ 1886 | Carl F. Randlett ~ 1886 | John W. Norton ~ 1890

Clyde H. Smith ~ 1893 | Georgia (Parkman) Pennell ~ 1895 | Robert W. Linn, Jr ~ 1896 | Allison P. Howe ~ 1898

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Another pre-1900 list from The Ripple includes some of those who graduated in unknown years between 1874-1899.

Edward E. Latty | Wendell D. Annis | Suzie Baker | Thomas Walker | George Walker | Allie Cook  

Bessie (Walker) Eastman | Dorothy Elliott | Melora (Littlefield) Furber | Gertrude (Patterson) Hamilton

Victor Jordan | Bertha (Linn) Joy | Fay Lucas | Fred Lucas | William Merrow | Harry Merrow

Grace (Henderson) Thompson | Selden Waldron | Edda (Whitehouse) Whitney | Edna Williams

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A partial listing of some of the members of Classes of 1900 through 1914 as noted in Alumni Notes of 1930-1931 editions of The Ripple.

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1900 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Elizabeth A. Linn | Fred Steelbrook | Mary (Annis) Connelly

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1901 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Eva (Libby) Jordan | Inez (Vickery) Mendall | Edda (Seekins) Annis

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1902 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Mary (Coston) Smith | Roger Q. Williams

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1903 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Merle (Davis) Worth

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1904 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

John L. Fyshe

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1905 ~

(No Names were reported for this class in The Ripple Alumni Notes)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1906 ~

(Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Amanda Ames | Amelia Ames | Mary (Anderson) Butterfield | Marion M. Baird

 Ralph F. Cook |  Clyde L. Griffith I | Frances (Lancey) Donahue | Elmer E. Libby

Julia (Libby) Converse | Selden E. Libby | Eunice L. Linn | Lela (Snow) Howard | Adrian T. Ward

 

Class of 1906 Commencement Program – June 19, 1906

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Mary Louise Anderson (1888-1985); daughter of William Anderson & Jean Nicol

Mary married Percy C. Butterfield

Mary Louise Anderson Diploma – 1906

Program & Diploma from Mary (Anderson) Butterfield Collection  (Photos courtesy of Maggie Smith)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1907 ~

(No Names were reported for this class in The Ripple Alumni Notes)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1908 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Effie (Coston) Worth | Elmer M. Burton | John Johnston | Jean (Smith) Moore | Forest Baker

Blanche (Merrow) Moulton | Ina M. Moulton | Gertrude (Anderson) Humphrey | Rosco W. Spaulding

Ina (Fisher) Spaulding | Helen M. Smith | Jesse Farnum | George S. Page | Benjamin Brown

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1909 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Arthur A. Baird | Crystal (Bowman) Deering | Frank W. Burton | Bernice (Pinkham) Billing | Leslie I. Waldron

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1910 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Edna (Humphrey) Ames | Frank L. Hollister | Fred T. Baird

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1911 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Mary (Packard) Jackson | Molly (Harding) Seekins | Marion (Buzzell) Stedman

Myrtle (Everett) Waite | Augusta (Baker) White | Wallace Worth | Otho L. Linn

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1912 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Eva (Burton) Jones | Elmer L. Baird | Harry R. Libby | Leland Gray | Clifton O. Steelbrook

Horace C. Packard | Doris (Dyer) Nutting | Gladys (Ward) Knowles | Vanonia (Gesner) Leighton

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1913 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Iva M. Furber | Mildred (Webb) Baird | Edna (French) Salls | Annie (Fuller) Linn

Fred A. Clark | Irene (Libby) Jenkins | Gladys Leadbetter | Isabelle (Scott) Hebb

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1914 ~

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Ella (Seekins) Getchell | Goldie (Lander) Randell | Lura (Libby) Crocker

Pearl (Merrow) Emery | John F. Seekins | Ray Gourley

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1915 ~

1st Edition of The Ripple (Click to open)

The Ripple – 1915

 

Class of 1915 Commencement Program

School Board: Elberton P. Dyer | George M. Lancey | Mrs. Thomas (Margaret) Randlett | Carl F. Randlett | Daniel A. Packard | Allen R. Burton

(Photo courtesy of the Family of Wilma Gladys (Wilkins) Bouton)

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Peleg William Sprague (1891-1970) was Principal of Hartland Academy as noted in the program above serving in the position from 1913 to 1915. Born in Bath, he attended Bowdoin College before graduating from Wesleyan College in 1913. He was just 22 years old when he began working at the Academy as Principal. He would later serve in World War I with the U. S. Navy.

 

(Photo & information courtesy of his grandson David Roberts)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1916 ~

The Ripple – 1916

 

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1917 ~

(Currently Missing Edition of The 1917 Ripple)

 

Class of 1917 Commencement Program

(Donated by Gerald & Pat Martin) 

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1918 ~

Currently Missing Edition of The 1918 Ripple

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Ardis E. (Lancey) Moore | Ethel L. Gray | Hollis Buker | Stuart S. Baird

Hope (Spaulding) Burrill | Harold L. Burrill | Ethel (Welch) Libby

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1919 ~

The Ripple – 1919

                                           

Class of 1919 Commencement Program

(Photo courtesy of the Family of Mary Lois (Wilkins) Worthen – Mother of Mary Ellen (Worthen) Cooper ’39)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1920 ~

The Ripple – 1920

A list of the Senior Class does not appear in this edition of The Ripple. We have assembled a listing from future Alumni News.

Winfred I. Finson | Marion Heath | Mildred (Latty) Gregoire | Fred W. Libby | Clyde P. Martin

Willis M. Nichols | Nina (Seekins) Webber | Crystal (McPheters) Goforth | Doris (Parkman) Provost

Beatrice (Randlett) Pelly | Ethel (Ward) Quimby | Doris (Whitney) Austin | Frederic J. Wright

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Beatrice Ellen Randlett (1901-1992); daughter of Carl Randlett & Maude Annis

Beatrice married Harold Oliphant Pelly

Beatrice Ellen Randlett Diploma – 1920

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Hartland Academy Boys Basketball Team – Fall 1920

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1921 ~

The Ripple – 1921

A list of the Senior Class does not appear in this edition of The Ripple. We have assembled a listing from future Alumni News.

Arthur R. Spaulding | Clyde W. Emery | Frank A. Withee, Jr 

Alta Tracy | Thelma (Tracy) Carr | Bertha (Johnson) Bragg | Madeline (Gray) Allen

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Arthur Ray Spaulding (1902-1999); son of Albert S. Spaulding & Agnes McKenney

Ray married Cassie Belle Fisher

Arthur Ray Spaulding Diploma – 1921

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1922 ~

The Ripple – 1922

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1923 ~

Currently Missing Edition of The 1923 Ripple

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Cassie (Fisher) Spaulding | Mary (Haseltine) Dore | Harry Dore | Mildred (Brawn) Patten | Linwood Burbank

Iola (Chipman) Hardwick | George T. Thompson | Mabel (Drew) Cannon | Eva (Withee) Hall

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The last known photo of the original brick Hartland Academy Building taken on October 20, 1923 just weeks before it would meet its fiery fate.

Hartland Academy – October 20, 1923

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Hartland Academy Janitor Albert “Bert” Deering, Sr was coming to work at about 5:45am on Friday, December 7, 1923 to start the wood boiler fires for the day. As reported in a newspaper article, Bert said he first noticed the reflection of flames on Albion K. Libby’s barn just east of the Academy as he approached the building from Academy Street just before he saw the building ablaze as it came into his view.

Hartland Academy Fire – December 7, 1923

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It was reported in the early stages of the fire, an explosion blew out several of the windows.

Hartland Academy Fire – December 7, 1923

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As the fire quickly progressed, the top of the east wall fell into the second floor and the roof of the building, including the belfry, fell through to the bottom floor.

Hartland Academy Fire – December 7, 1923

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The huge fire raged through the Academy reducing it to a brick shell. The interior of the building was a complete loss including class photos and school records.

Hartland Volunteer Fire Department Hose Cart at Hartland Academy Fire – December 7, 1923

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Although a small fire had been burning overnight in the wood boiler located on the western side of the building, all initial indications pointed to the origins of the fire to the eastern side of the building. Speculations of faulty wiring, chimney failure or wood boiler failure were presented as possible causes, however due to the severe damage the building suffered, no specific origin for the fire was ever officially determined. An initial estimate of the loss was reported at $25,000.

Hartland Academy Fire Aftermath – December 9, 1923

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The following Friday after the fire, a meeting of Hartland Academy Association Trustees, Hartland School Board Members and Hartland Town Selectmen was held and a committee composed of Carl F. Randlett, O. W. Brown and J. C. Young was appointed to look after the immediate needs of the students. The committee secured the Knights of Pythias Hall near the railroad station for the use of high school grade students with the Methodist Church Vestry and a room at the Davis & Webber Block at Warren Square to be used for the lower grades. Some classes high school students would also be held at the Opera House.

 

~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1924 ~

Although it remains to be confirmed, The Ripple may have not been published due to the fire at the Academy

(Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Rebecca (Pennell) Stuart | Carleton Deering | Elmer Ward | Jennie (Hubbard) Elliott | Joseph McGee

Frank Wing | Clyde Brooks | Edwin Waterman | Nathalie (Lewis) Williams | Melvin Waterman

Newton Smith | Edward Brown | Milton Morrison

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Even without a home, the Hartland Academy Class of 1924 still graduated that spring through the efforts and cooperation of the citizens of Hartland. Ironically perhaps, future Hartland Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Carleton Deering was in this graduating class seated in the front row 2nd from the left. Also reported in the photo in the back row is Nathalie (Lewis) Williams.

Class of 1924 (Unknown Seating Order)

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For the remainder of the 1923-1924 school year, Academy students attended classes at the make shift classrooms around town while the citizens of Hartland rallied from the devastating loss and moved forth with immediate plans to construct a new Hartland Academy building.

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1924 Town Report – H. B. Clifford – Superintendent of Hartland Schools; “The burning of the Academy building in December was a great loss to us for it was still a fairly satisfactory school house, although crowded. The building was well equipped for a small school. It means a big expense to us for years to come, but there is no way of avoiding the issue. Our schools must be maintained at reasonable efficiency, even at considerable per­sonal sacrifice. I feel confident that our people will erect a sufficiently large and modern building to meet the needs of our boys and girls for the years to come.”

1924 Town Report – Article 17:  “To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise to rebuild Hartland Academy, so called, to see what method the town will take to raise funds for the same, and to act upon anything relating thereto.”

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On May 21, 1924 work began on the same site with the wrecking and clearing of debris of the remaining burnt structure except for the original facade which was incorporated as the centerpiece of the new expanded modern facility. Puritan Construction was awarded General Contractor of the project with W. H. Moore & Son Woodworking of Hartland providing some of the new materials included in the construction.

 

Within a year of its destruction by fire on December 7, 1923, Hartland Academy was rebuilt and reopened in November of 1924.

New Hartland Academy – November 21, 1924

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New Hartland Academy – November 28, 1924

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Homage would eventually be paid to the original Academy as engraved over the center of the main entrance.

Hartland Academy – Main Entrance Engraving (Photographed in 2020)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1925 ~

The Ripple – 1925

Class of 1925 – 1st Graduating Class at the newly built Hartland Academy

(Photo courtesy of Estelle Randlett Tapley)

1st Row (L-R):  Mollie Johnson | Vera Haseltine | Marjorie Young | Ada Cyr | Evelyn Maxwell

2nd Row: Bessie Buker | Howard Estes | Winston Norcross | Margaret O’Reilly

Agnass Waterman | James Dundas | John Getchell | Frances Baine

3rd row: Annie Merrick | Fred Stern | Daniel Connelly | John Haseltine | Linwood Randlett | Howard Ames | Ina Field

(Missing from photo Donald Newell)

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The first students to attend classes at the new building posed for this large panoramic photo in front of the school.

Hartland Academy Student Body Panoramic Photo – 1925

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1925 Hartland Academy Student Body – Close-Up 1 of 4

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1925 Hartland Academy Student Body – Close-Up 2 of 4

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1925 Hartland Academy Student Body – Close-Up 3 of 4

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1925 Hartland Academy Student Body – Close-Up 4 of 4

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Hartland Academy Football Team – County Champs – 1925

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1926 ~

Currently Missing Edition of The 1926 Ripple

 

Class of 1926 Commencement Program

(Courtesy of Dana Perkins)

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Edward Boutelle Snow (1906-1976); son of Robert Kendall Snow & Calphurnia Rice

Edward Boutelle Snow Diploma – 1926

(Courtesy of Dana Perkins)

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Although tennis was not mentioned in the 1925 Ripple, an August 4, 1927 Pittsfield Advertiser article noted, “The Tennis Court on the grounds of Hartland Academy is greatly enjoyed by the young people.”  Although unconfirmed, this photo APPEARS to show the groundwork for the new courts being built sometime between 1925 and 1927 in front of the Academy with many of the people in the photo seen with shovels. Tennis is mentioned in several future editions of The Ripple and existed until about 1938.

Hartland Academy – Tennis Court Groundwork (?) between 1925 & 1927

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1927 ~

Currently Missing Edition of The 1927 Ripple

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Lloyd V. Cookson, Sr | Clara (Curtis) Tibbetts | Lillian (Drew) Violette | Robert Estes | James W. Fuller

Lloyd F. Hubbard, Sr | Edward C. Hubbard | Fanny (Griffith) Humphrey-Dyer | Frank Matthews

Mabel Murphy | Myrtle (Ordway) Smith | George Sterns | Eileen (Seekins) Merrow

Norman W. Webber | Lyral V. Webber | Grace (Griffith) Weymouth

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1928 ~

Currently Missing Edition of The 1928 Ripple

(Partial Listing from The Ripple Alumni Notes)

Lenora (Brooks) Morgan | Isabelle (Baine) Snow | Bernadette DeRaps | Velma Greene | Howard Grey

Everett Holt | Gerald Page | Edna (Peterson) Cates | Edythe (Philbrick) Libby | Harry Peasley

Hilda Tibbetts | Edgar R. Woodman

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Lenora Mae Brooks (1910-1993); daughter of Foster Erwin Brooks & Martha A. Miller

Lenora married Thirnwood Frederick Morgan, Sr

Lenora Mae Brooks Diploma 1928

(Courtesy of Gerald Morgan)

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Hartland Academy Orchestra – c1928

1st Row: Howard Gray | Raymond Waltham | Howie Jamison | Clarence Genther | Francis Coston
Edson Goodrich | Ted Griffith | Florice Stevens | Music Teacher Doris Harlow

2nd Row: Earl Hart | (unknown) | Fanny Griffith | Mary Hart | Jimmy Fuller | Roger Baker | Donald Randlett

Top Row: Angilee Fuller | Bernice Harding | Eileen Seekins | Geneva Merrill | Frank Mathews | Darrell Currie | Philip Nelson

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1929 ~

The Ripple – 1929

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1930 ~

The Ripple – 1930

Class of 1930

1st Row: Raymond Thorne | Robert Stedman | Edna Withee | Thelma Thorne | Floyd Emery | Margaret Buker
2nd Row: Malcolm Carr | Aubrey Burbank | Florice Green | Gwendolyn Webber | George Markham | Geneva Merrill
Top Row: Clarence Merrow | Ralph Young | Marguerite Whittemore | Pauline Baker | Theodore Griffith | Grace Davis | Dorothy Butters

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Marguerite Abigail Whittemore (1913-2008); daughter of Cleba S. Whittemore & Annette Ford

Marguerite married 1st to Kenneth R. Southard, Sr; 2nd to Philip Daniel Rice

Marguerite Abigail Whittemore Diploma – 1930

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1931 ~

The Ripple – 1931

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1932 ~

The Ripple – 1932

Allen R. Burton Prize Speaking Contest Program – 1932

(Courtesy of Virginia Salisbury Tucker)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1933 ~

The Ripple – 1933

A list of the Senior Class does not appear in this edition of The Ripple. We have assembled a partial listing from future Alumni News.

Jaunita (Brown) Bickford | Jennie (Pelkie) Barden | Dorothy (Varnum) Deering | Paul Gardiner

Helen (Hubbard) Harris | Leroy C. Hatch | Leland I. Inman | Frances (Jepson) Salley | Estella (Libby) Smith

Leona (Whitten) Page | Marion (Thorne) Furbush | George W. Webber| Florence (Parsons) Webber

~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1934 ~

The Ripple – 1934

1934 Senior Class Play Program

(Courtesy of Virginia Salisbury Tucker)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1935 ~

The Ripple – 1935

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Class of 1935

1st Row (L-R): Robert Strout | Marguerite Robertson | Vinson Phillips

2nd Row: Erwin Whittemore | Alden Stedman | Eva Hanson | Earle Merrow | Howard Williamson

3rd Row: James Seekins | Mary Green | Aubrey Whittemore | Elizabeth Hart | Floyd Webber

4th Row: Frances Waldron | Howard Baird | Marion Rancourt | Alfred Bell | Meredith Parkman

Top Row: Mary Smith | Clyde Griffith

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Class of 1935 Graduation Program

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1934-1935 Girl’s Basketball Team

1st Row (L-R): Frances Fellows | Barbara Weymouth | Charlotte McCrillis | Frances Waldron | Kathleen Cully | Alice Chipman

2nd Row: Kathleen Pelkie | Margaret Ash | Arlene Stedman | Marguerite Wheeler | Eleanor Libby | Coach Stevens

3rd Row: Phyllis Baird | Beatrice Mills | Cherrie Thorne | Miriam Steeves | Marion Rancourt | Clara Woodbury

1934-1935 Baseball Team

Front Row (L-R): Howard Williamson | James Seekins | Floyd Webber | Howard Baird | Robert Stout | Donlin McCormack | Earle Merrow

Back Row: Coach Howard W. Louder | Kenneth Baird | Alfred Bell | Andrew Peterson | Donald Hollister | Wendell Marr

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1936 ~

The Ripple – 1936

Class of 1936

1st Row (L-R): Stephen Miller | Margaret Ashe | Maurice Hatch

2nd Row: Marion Hollister | Phillip Baird | Althea Tobey | Charlotte Grant

3rd Row: Frank Ford | Charlotte McCrillis | Kathleen Pelkie | Leland Cunningham

4th Row: Lillian Lewis | Lennis Harris | Vivian Greene

Top Row: Barbara Weymouth | Thelma Cookson

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Underclassmen of Hartland Academy pose for a group photo at the front doors of the Academy in 1936.

Hartland Academy – 1936

(Courtesy of Donald McDougal)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1937 ~

The Ripple – 1937

Class of 1937

1st Row (L-R): Dorothy Lermond | Clayton Merrill | Arlene Stedman | Mahlon Merrow

2nd Row: Alice Chapman | Donald Withee | Myron Davis | Clara Woodbury

3rd Row: Donald Hollister | Beatrice Mills | Frances Fellows | Donlin McCormack

4th Row: Marie Libby | Lyle Martin | Kenneth Wiers | Mary Libby

Top Row: Phyllis Baird | Bertha Smith | Eva Lowell

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1938 ~

The Ripple – 1938

Class of 1938

1st Row (L-R): Russell Dunlop | Kathleen Culley | Joseph Ford | Opal Wiers | Kenneth Baird

2nd Row: Eleanor Libby | Robert Perkins | Ardis Moulton | Wendall Marr | Pauline Young

3rd Row: Norman Strout | Lona Clark | James Moore | Mildred Wentworth | Andrew Peterson

4th Row: Marion Ash | Arthur Littlefield | Grace Parsons | Liston Inman | Erlene Hughes

Top Row: Cherrie Thorne | Mildred Cooley | Miriam Steeves | Marguerite Wheeler

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1939 ~

The Ripple – 1939

Class of 1939

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In the summer of 1938, Hartland Academy purchased the two story house, barn and lot directly adjacent to the Academy.

Hartland Academy Vocational Department Article – 1939

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The new Hartland Academy Vocational Department opened for the 1938-1939 School Year.

Hilda (Emery) Nutter hand sewing (center) at the new Academy Vocational Department Building – 1939

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Hartland Academy Vocational Department Building

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1940 ~

The Ripple – 1940

Class of 1940

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1941 ~

The Ripple – 1941

Class of 1941

1st Row: Donald McLean | Jacqueline Buker | Glenis Cunningham | C. Jeanette Smith | Edward Hilton

2nd Row: Linwood Perkins | Margaret Lord | Luther Nichols | Meredith Knowles | Clyde Cookson, Jr | Marguerite Walker

3rd Row: Mary McDougal | Phillip Libby | Helen Cheney | Margaret Moore | Geraldine Knowles | Ernest Inman | Mabel Nutter

4th Row: Herbert Davis | Rendall Phinney | Virginia Millett | Grace Lord | Omar Wheeler | Leon Patten

Top Row: Allen Jones | Priscilla Mower | Verne McLean | Valti McDougal | Sheldon Ballard | Jean-Marie Lucas | Bertram Thorne

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Class of 1941 Commencement Program

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1942 ~

The Ripple – 1942

Class of 1942 Senior Class Play Program – December 11, 1941

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Ripple Dedication – Albert “Bert” Brooks Deering, Sr – 1942

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1943 ~

The Ripple – 1943

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1944 ~

The Ripple – 1944

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Class of 1944 Graduation Photo

(Courtesy of Deering Family)

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Hartland Academy Girls Basketball Team 1943-1944

(Courtesy of Deering Family)

1st Row (L-R): Camilla Chute | Achsah Farrell

2nd Row: Ina Cook | Estelle Randlett | Helen Moore | Gladys Deering | Virginia Wheeler

3rd Row: Geraldine Sawyer | Eleanor Allen | Coach Charles Hedderieg | Ethel Stone | Jean Randlett

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Gladys Belle Deering (1925-2017); daughter of Albert B. Deering, Jr & Edith Whitten

Gladys married Terrence J. Gilbert

Gladys Belle Deering Diploma – 1944

(Courtesy of Deering Family)

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Hartland Academy – 1944

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Lillian Maxine Kimball; daughter of Porter Lemuel Kimball & Gladys Amanda Gray

Lillian married 1st to Guy Merle Lancaster; 2nd to Clayton Longfellow Smith, Jr

Lillian Maxine Kimball Diploma – 1944

(Courtesy of Judy Lancaster Turner)

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The 1944 Ripple paid tribute to 3 Hartland Academy Students who had been Killed In Action in World War II in 1943.

Donlin F. McCormack – KIA July 18, 1943  |  Arthur W. Sherburne – KIA December 30, 1943  |  Norman Steeves – KIA January 7, 1943

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2 more Hartland Academy Students would be lost the following year.

               

                             Clarence E. Walker – KIA June 7, 1944                            Rendall Wallace Phinney – KIA June 9, 1944

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They were all honored in 1949 during the Hartland Honor Roll Memorial Dedication with a Gold Star Ceremony held for their families.

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1945 ~

The Ripple – 1945

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1946 ~

The Ripple – 1946

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Boys Basketball Team 1945-1946

1st Row: Fred Towle | Howard Sally | Ashley Parker | Linwood Wheeler | Richard Nichols

2nd Row: David Tibbetts | Edmund Seekins | Maynard Yakemore | Roger Jordan | Brian Hanson | George Baker

Top Row: Mr. Ivan Bubar | Clyde Leonard | Royce Temple | Kenneth Hughes | Ivan Welch

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In 1946, then U. S. Representative Margaret Chase Smith presented a framed version of this portrait of her late husband to Hartland Academy which was displayed there until the Academy closed. In 1990, it was returned to Senator Smith by the Hartland Academy Alumni Association and is now on display at the Margaret Chase Smith Library.

Clyde Harold Smith (1876-1940) moved from his native town of Harmony to Hartland in 1891 at about 16 years old with his father, step-mother and siblings where he soon graduated from Hartland Academy in 1893. Following graduation, he engaged in the retail clothing and hardware business in Hartland as well as teaching school. He became Superintendent of Hartland Schools from 1899-1903 and also served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1899-1903. Clyde served as a Selectman of Hartland from 1904-1907 until he moved to Skowhegan having been elected Sheriff of Somerset County serving from 1905-1909. In Skowhegan, he engaged in the retail automobile sales, hardware and plumbing business and the newspaper publishing business. He later engaged in banking and the real estate business and was a member of the Board of Selectmen of Skowhegan from 1914-1932. He served again in the Maine House of Representatives from 1919-1923 then was elected to the Maine State Senate from 1923-1929. He was Chairman of the State Highway Commission from 1928-1932 and a member of the Governor’s Council from 1933-1937. He was elected in 1936 to the U. S. House of Representatives as a Republican for the 75th and 76th Congresses serving from January 3, 1937 until his untimely death in Washington, D. C. on April 8, 1940 following a brief illness. Clyde is interred at Pine Grove Cemetery with his parents and succeeded in Congress by his 2nd wife and future U. S. Senator Margaret Chase Smith.

Clyde Harold Smith – 1939

(Courtesy of Margaret Chase Smith Library)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1947 ~

The Ripple – 1947

Class of 1947 Commencement Program

(Margaret Hart Collection)

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The Burton Prize Speaking Contest Program –  February 6, 1947

(Margaret Hart Collection)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1948 ~

The Ripple – 1948

~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1949 ~

The Ripple – 1949

Class of 1949 Commencement Program

(Courtesy of Virginia Salisbury Tucker)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1950 ~

The Ripple – 1950

Class of 1950

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Class of 1950 Commencement Program

(Courtesy of Virginia Salisbury Tucker)

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Thirnwood F. Morgan, Jr – The Champ vs The Challenger

(Courtesy of Gerald Morgan)

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1950 Baseball Team | 13-0 Regular Season | 2-1 State Championship Playoffs

(Photo, names & positions courtesy of Raymond & Beverly Martin)

Front Row (L-R): Dan Snowman, Outfield | Ken Southard, Pitcher-Outfield | James Jamieson, Pitcher-Outfield

Tom Williams, 3rd Base | Blaine Tibbetts, Catcher | Ted Stromback, Shortstop | Raymond Martin, 1st Base | Pete Taylor, Pitcher-Outfield

Back Row: Phil Gardner, Assistant Manager | Robert Lucas, Shortstop | Donald Deering, Catcher | Vaughn Stedman, Pitcher-Outfield

David Huff, Manager | Hank Washburn, Coach | Philip Emery, Outfield | Clark Connelly, Outfield | Richard Martin, 2nd Base

~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1951 ~

The Ripple – 1951

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1952 ~

The Ripple – 1952

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In 1952, a new grandstand was built at the Academy Athletic Field with private funds & volunteer labor to replace the original structure.

Pittsfield Advertiser – 1952

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1953 ~

The Ripple – 1953

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1954 ~

The Ripple – 1954

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1955 ~

The Ripple – 1955

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1956 ~

The Ripple – 1956

Class of 1956

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1957 ~

The Ripple – 1957

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1958 ~

The Ripple – 1958

Class of 1958

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Class of 1958 Commencement Program

(Courtesy of Dean Nadeau)

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1959 ~

The Ripple – 1959

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1960 ~

The Ripple – 1960

Class of 1960

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1961 ~

The Ripple – 1961

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1962 ~

The Ripple – 1962

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1963 ~

The Ripple – 1963

Class of 1963 Commencement Program

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Class of 1963 Senior Class Trip – Washington, D. C.

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1964 ~

The Ripple – 1964

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“The Hartland Academy Band was elected as the Official State of Maine Band to attend the 1964 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. After being chosen, the band and the senior class joined and made the trip a week long time of fun, learning, and most of all honor to our school. We visited both New York and Washington D. C. on this trip. The members of the band marched on April 11, 1964 in the Parade of Princesses. We were all very thrilled and rewarded as we marched down Constitution Avenue.” – Linwood Humphrey – The Ripple

Hartland Academy Band – 1964

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Hartland Academy Band – 1964

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Hartland Academy Band – 1964

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Hartland Academy Band – 1964

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Hartland Academy Band – 1964

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Hartland Academy Band – 1964

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1965 ~

The Ripple – 1965

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On November 16, 1965, citizens of Hartland, Corinna, Newport, Palmyra and St Albans voted to create Maine School Administrative District #48. Students of the new school district continued attending their respective area schools while plans for a new regional high school were formed and brought to fruition. The area high school Classes of 1967 & 1968 from Hartland Academy, Corinna Union Academy and Newport High School received diplomas noting both their respective school name and M.S.A.D. #48.

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1966 ~

The Ripple – 1966

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1967 ~

The Ripple – 1967

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~ Hartland Academy – Class of 1968 ~

“She’s seen the first and now she’s seen the last.”

The Ripple – 1968

Class of 1968

1st Row: Ethelyn Wentworth | Pauline Lindsay | Shari Tapley | Allen Perry

Gerry Wheeler, Jr | Florence Curtis | Kathy Powers | Karen Chambers

2nd Row: Sally Hall | Sylvia Stedman | Rose Reynolds | Peggy Ricker

Brenda Strickland | Peggy Morgan | Carol Hartley

3rd Row: Philip Melanson | Earl Hughes | Ralph Brown | Karen Stedman

Bruce Washburn | Linwood Vanadestine, Jr | Roger Kniffen | Charles Denbow

4th Row: Dana Cooper | Daryl Gordon | Frank Bryant | Ozzie Hardy

Larry Lary | Roland Dubey | John Cook

Top Row: David Whitten | Malcolm Burrell