Vergennes Union High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Vergennes, VT)

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Vergennes Graded School. The city of Vergennes, Vt., received its charter in 1778- In 1779 it was divided into two school districts, and at a meeting of 1801, they were named Eastern and Western Districts. The early district records were destroyed in 1829 or 1830, but the above facts were found in the old city records. Several buildings have been used for school-houses; The old brick school house on North street was used for nearly a quarter of a century, there w as also a school house located where the Catholic church now stands, and the house north of the Congregational church is familiar to many, being known as the Seminary. There were several private schools in the early days of Vergennes, the best known of these being the one taught by Benjamin Allen. Many of the older people of the city have recited to “Uncle Ben,” as he was familiarly called, and as a testimonial of their regard for him, had, some years after his death, erected to his memory, a handsome monument in Prospect Cemetery. The records of the districts show that an effort to obtain a new school building extended through many years before they were successful. After a series of school meetings called at the brick school-house, for the purpose of selecting a suitable site, it w'as, in August 1857, voted to purchase the old lot belonging to Hon. F. E. Wood-bridge on the Westerly side of Green street. The Committee appointed to purchase the land and decide as to the plan of the building were as follows : John Pierpont, George IV. Grandey and W. White. There must have been some opposition to this plan, for we find there is no record of any action until 1863, when a meeting was called at the brick school-house, May 16, and the following resolutions were offered and voted: “That a committee of three he appointed to contract for, and superintend the building of a school-house for this district the present season, that said Committee be instructed to build tlie same in a good, substantial and w orkmanlike manner, and of such size and proportions as in their judgment will best supply the wants and interests of the people of the district, and have it completed, if possible, at any early time in December next, and said Committee are authorized to raise by loan, on the credit of this district, at a rate of interest not to exceed six per cent, and on the longest time such loan can be effected, such sum or sums of money not to exceed seven thousand five hundred dollars (§7,500), as may be required to erect, finish and furnish said school-house, and neither the cost of erecting, finishing or furnishing said school-house, nor the amount of