Dublin Core
Title
Blair School Print
Subject
Education
Description
This ink drawing, meticulously crafted by artist Dennis Siemans, was presented to principal William Hempel on June 1, 1986 at 2:00. It was the last official event held at the Old Blair School. Copies of the drawing were given as souvenirs to students and participants.
Sitting high atop a hill on Chicago Ave., Blair School replaced one of the oldest city schools, Stone School located on the corner of Madison and Randall Streets, when it was opened in 1890. In 1886, land for the school was purchased from Thomas Spence, developer of nearby Horeb Spring Park and the Hyde Park Hotel. The building was named in honor of William Blair, a Waukesha industrialist.
The history of the building is one of expansion. In 1930, the original 4 room school was enlarged and modernized. In 1949, a “ranch style” building was constructed next to the old building. In 1966, a new Blair school was constructed on Hyde Park Ave., but all three buildings continued to be used. Twenty year later, in 1986, a large addition to the new Blair building meant that the older buildings were no longer needed.
The 1890 and 1949 buildings were bid adieu with grand ceremonies. The bell from the school is preserved in a monument on the original site. It is constructed with bricks from the 1890 school. In 2019 The district announced that Blair would be closing. This drawing, along with numerous other materials, was donated by the Blair Parent Teacher Organization.
Donor: Blair Parent Teacher Organization
Sitting high atop a hill on Chicago Ave., Blair School replaced one of the oldest city schools, Stone School located on the corner of Madison and Randall Streets, when it was opened in 1890. In 1886, land for the school was purchased from Thomas Spence, developer of nearby Horeb Spring Park and the Hyde Park Hotel. The building was named in honor of William Blair, a Waukesha industrialist.
The history of the building is one of expansion. In 1930, the original 4 room school was enlarged and modernized. In 1949, a “ranch style” building was constructed next to the old building. In 1966, a new Blair school was constructed on Hyde Park Ave., but all three buildings continued to be used. Twenty year later, in 1986, a large addition to the new Blair building meant that the older buildings were no longer needed.
The 1890 and 1949 buildings were bid adieu with grand ceremonies. The bell from the school is preserved in a monument on the original site. It is constructed with bricks from the 1890 school. In 2019 The district announced that Blair would be closing. This drawing, along with numerous other materials, was donated by the Blair Parent Teacher Organization.
Donor: Blair Parent Teacher Organization
Creator
Dennis Siemons, Artist
Publisher
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum
Date
1986
Rights
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum