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

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City Manager Edward R. Henkle handing check to judge john J. McCarry in the memorable moment of Oct. 17, 1950, when City of New London purchased Chapman Tech. Those present were, left to right: Dr. john C. Albohm, Superinx tendent of Schools, Frank N. Kelly, Mayor, Edmond J. Eshenfelder, attorney for the city: Sidney li. Alling, member of Board of Education, William C. Stuart, President of Board of Education, Henry L. McGuire, City Clerk. Again in 1923 the name of the school was changed. In honor of its founder it was now to be known as Chapman Technical High School. In 1937, after 31 years of faithful leadership, Frederick S. Hitchcock was retired from the office of principal and was succeeded by Horace G. Westcott, our present principal. During the middle '30's, the plans for another addition came into being. These plans were partially carried out on July 8, 1938, when two houses in the rear of the school were purchased. The Mechanical Drawing department was moved and occupied the first house, while the second house became a branch of the Domestic Science department. The new addition finally became a reality when in 1939 a loan of ?1lSl25,000 was acquired from the city for the purpose of constructing a building adjoining the original structure. This new build- ing contained a machine shop on the first lloor, badly needed extra classrooms on the second floor to accommodate the increasing number of stu- dents, and on the third floor the domestic arts and sciences' quarters. This new addition approx- imately doubled the school's faculty. The loan was to be repaid over a period of fifteen years by increasing the tuition fees of both the local and the out-of-town students. Another addition to the school was planned in the early part of 1941. Officials of the school wished to construct on adjoining land a three' story building to be used as a one year training school for post-graduates and others qualified for advanced training. The plan was for a first and second story with the third floor to be used for mechanical drawing. For numerous reasons, mainly lack of funds, because of the rising cost of construction work, this addition never became a reality. Another aim that was never realized was that of acquiring a building to house a gymnasium and a larger auditorium. This is the way that Tech has grown and pro- gressed, always forward and seeking upward, dur- ing the first half of the Twentieth century. We remember with pride that when in 1939, Gover- nor Raymond Baldwin visited Tech, he was highly impressed. lVith even more pride we re- member the evaluation study that was made September 23 and 24, 1941, by the officials of the University of Connecticut and the State Board of Education. The report given by Dr. Frederick Cousy, late professor of the University of Connec- ticut, stated, The school is rapidly developing a program which becomes unique in the U. S. Through the years of its existence, Tech and its many students have had numerous beacons guiding their paths. Such names as Chapman, Hopson, Matteson, Hitchcock, and Westcott are readily recognized. The school has become changed again. Now it is New London High School, for on October 17, 1950, the school was purchased by the city of New London and has become part of the public school system. This was done to pave the way for the construction of one city high school in New London. V Wle, the past and present students of Tech, should be proud to have been members of such an institution as Tech. Few are the schools where students receive the opportunities that are every- day procedures for us. We have needed no stu- dent council, no honor court, no police force at Tech. Instead we have found a friendly trustful- ness offered to us. This spirit that prevailed at Tech remains the guiding spirit of New London High School. It can be felt in our halls and classrooms. ,Now as always, no matter what the name of the school, that same spirit which grew out of the Manual Training and Industrial School, Vocational School, and Chapman Technical High School will surely never be lost. It continues in New London High.

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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.

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CWCCWUZ To serve as a granary in which are stored the records of our classes and the spirit of our school is the aim of this torch. Fdlfff-d X X Y X X Y QI F' f i