Chapman Technical High School - Torch Yearbook (New London, CT)

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WILLIAM HENRY CHAPMAN 1819- 1912 Founder This is the story of Chapman Technical High School -a story of forty-five years of educating the youth of New London. It is also the story of its growth and progress. During the years of Tech's existence one name has stood out among its many friends and guides, that of VVilliam Henry Chapman. The idea that later became a reality in Chapman Technical High School was born in the mind of Mr. Chapman, the late president of the Savings Bank of New London, chief benefactor of our school, and the donor of 3100,000 toward the construc- tion of a manual training school to be built in New London. He believed that the type of edu- HISTORY OF OUR cation being given around 1900 in the schools of New London was insufficient for the needs of every student. It was his belief that manual train- ing was also necessary to round out the schedule of those students who did not intend to further their education by going on to college and who badly needed a foundation in the many trades and crafts besides their regular academic training. With these ideas and beliefs he set out to better the education of New London youth. The school was incorporated on May ll, 1903, under the name of the Manual Training and Industrial School of New London. It is said Mr. Chapman Hrst intended to let the municipality run the school but then became fearful of polit- ical influence, changed his plans, and vested full control in a board of trustees. At about the time of the opening of the school, Mr. Chapman gave to this board 35100000 for operating expenses, a sum which brought his total contribution to 315200,000. This move made the school a private institution, instead of a part of the public school system. Upon land bought by the city for 37500, the original building was built at a cost of 343,350 With a faculty of either five or six teachers headed by Principal Frederick S. Hitchcock, the school opened its doors on the first day of October, 1906. Besides the academic curriculum, the school offered such technical courses as mechanical draw- ing, .forging, and general woodwork for the boys, in addition to courses in domestic science for the irls. g During 1914 the roof of the original shop was raised, walls were erected, and the present audi- torium was built and put into use. A special gift ' :, '..Q.:f,ta:.nfi i --- issMM1i-ffimmsmwd

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X mi. , 6 75 -if f X Q W f if f N 1 QW -- Q? ' Kyo K unusual ,- nl' QJAZZ of C0lfLi6lfLi4 ADMINISTRATION PAGES 13-28 Faculty ..........,..........,.,........,... 17-22 Departments ,......,,.4.......... 23-28 CLASSES - PAGES 29-64 Seniors I,..,...A....,..,..,..,.....,... 30-52 Juniors ,..,.,,........... .,.4......,., 5 3-56 Sophomores ,..A....,.. ..,..,.. 5 7-59 Freshmen ......,,.....,,..........,.,,, 61-63 ACTIVITIES - PAGES 65-78 Clubs .,.....,.....4.....1...,.........,..,.. 66-83 Dramatics ........... ...........,. 6 8-69 Music ..........................,.......,,.,, 74-7 8 SPORTS - PAGES 84-89 Football A........,................,.,.... 86-89 Basketball ...,........ ............, 9 0-94 Baseball ,....,.4... ..........,. 9 6-99 Track ..............,.................. 100-103 FEATURES---PAGES 103-108 School Dances ...,.....,.. 104-107 School Highlights 106-108 ADVERTISEMENTS 7 LSS i

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SCHOOL contributed in 1916 by the members of the Chapman family made possible the building of two science laboratories on the formerly unused third floor. A forging shop unit was also built at the south end of the school. From time to time machines, benches, and bookshelves were added to accommodate the increasing number of students. In 1915 the school name was changed to New London Vocational High School. Listed below is the course of study olfered in the Vocational High School catalogue: FIRST YEAR Technical fboysj English Mechanical Drawing Algebra Woodturning and General Science Pattern Making History QWest's Ancient Worldj Latin Technical fboysj Mechanical Drawing General Woodwork fgirlsj Domestic Science Domestic Art SECOND YEAR English Geometry Chemistry History fEnglish Historyj Latin Forging fgirlsj Domestic Science Domestic Art THIRD YEAR English Algebra Practical Law Business Methods French Latin Physics Technical fboysj Mechanical Drawing Machine Laboratory Practice 1.411 fgirlsj Domestic Science Domestic Art FOURTH YEAR English History QMuzzey's American Civicsj French Latin .1,l- ' Cboysb Solid Geometry Plane Trigonometry Electricity and Magnetism Mechanical Drawing Mechanical Laboratory Work fgirlsj Domestic Science Domestic Art Throughout the years the school grew apprec- iably, always advancing and steadily increasing both the number of students and faculty.