Sprague School History

Historical View of Sprague School

In 1924, when Sprague first opened, the building was intended to be a model for the modern school without being factory-like in appearance. The school was designed by architect Ralph Herman Hannaford. Hannaford employed elements of classical architecture and utilized local materials to create a building which he hoped would complement the site and other distinctive Wellesley structures. Hannaford also noted that he had made provisions for future expansion to the building.

The original building had seven classrooms (K-6) to accommodate 105 students. The kindergarten was furnished with its own coatroom, bathroom, drinking fountain and foot warmers. Each of the other classrooms had drinking fountain and a coat closet just for the teacher. On the ground level, there was a playroom which opened directly to playing fields behind the school. The playroom contained a serving room, coat room, moving picture booth, and stage.

The stone used on the Oak Street façade was obtained directly from the excavation at the building site. Similar stones, also quarried locally are found on other town landmarks including the clock tower in Wellesley Hills Square, the Wellesley Hills Branch Library, and the Weston Road Fire Station.

The cupola atop the right-hand gable was originally used in connection with the ventilation system. The lead work done on the cupola was intended to resemble the lead work being done at the time in England. The weathervane on the cupola, designed by Hannaford himself, was meant to be viewed from a great distance. Isaac Sprague donated the bell and clock for the school. At the time, Sprague was the only school in Wellesley with a clock tower.

At the main entrance on Oak Street hung an interesting wrought iron lantern made by noted craftsman Frank L. Koralewsky. Hannaford painstakingly designed this intriguing lantern as a tribute to the five members of the Building Committee who oversaw the construction of the Sprague School. The lantern bears, on its five facets, symbols for each of the five Building Committee members based on their careers and interests. The five members, their careers, and their "symbols" were as follows: Mrs. Gilbert N. Jones (nature artist - flower and palette), Mr. Robert L. Studley (wool merchant - shepherd and sheep), Mr. Patrick J. Fitzpatrick (pharmacist - mortar and pestle), Colonel John W. Decrow (soldier - sword), and Isaac Sprague (Banker and generous supporter - bank vault and money bag).

Sprague Lantern