Winsted
Connecticut
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Batcheller Elementary School
The Batcheller Elementary School is located at201 Pratt Street and is one of the two elementary schools for students from grades K - 5 in the district. It is named after William H. Batcheller.
William H. Batcheller, born February 3, 1837 a native of Winsted, was the son of William G. Batcheller and Julia Ann Thayer. He was Winsted educated in the Fourth School (now the Mary P. Hinsdale School) then grades 1 through 12, and later joined his younger brother Whelock, after their father’s death, in managing the family’s scythe shop known as the Thayer Scythe Company. This company, along with several others in town, used iron ore mined in the Canaan Valley to manufacture much needed tools like scythes, shovels and hoes, many of which were sold in the South.
"Billy" Batcheller referred to the Fourth School as his "alma mater". In June 1906, shortly before his death on June 29, 1907, at age 70, "announcement was made that a $10,000 fund had been established for the purpose of making annual awards in the attainment of scholars for the fourth district schools. The name of the donor was at first withheld, but it was not long before it became known his name was William H. Batcheller.
Another gift from Mr. Batcheller was announced in the form of a "sinking fund" of $25,000 and a record of this fund may be found in every town report. It is needless to go on into details regarding it here, except to say that Mr. Batcheller stipulated that the fund be invested annually in town orders at 2% interest and that when the principal shall have increased to $75,000 the town shall appropriate $50,000 of the amount towards paying indebtedness and continue same course again with the remaining $25,000. At the present writing (1972) the school fund has increased to $15,000 and provides annual cash prizes amounting to $600. Since the erection of the Central School (now Pearson Middle School), which was built within the limits of the former fourth district, pupils in that school have shared in the proceeds of the fund."
All taken from Winsted and The Town of Winchester, DeMars and Bronson, 1972, page 149.
In 1960, Winsted’s new elementary school was dedicated in the memory of Mr. William H. Batcheller and students continue to receive annual awards for excellence in many areas of accomplishment.
Another gift from this family will be remembered by many. Whelock T. Batcheller, William's younger brother, a Civil War Veteran, donated money for the construction of an isolation ward at the Litchfield County Hospital (later the Winsted Memorial Hospital). When it’s purpose was no longer necessary, this ward became the " Maternity Cottage", where many of our students’ parents and grandparents were born.
William H. Batcheller, born February 3, 1837 a native of Winsted, was the son of William G. Batcheller and Julia Ann Thayer. He was Winsted educated in the Fourth School (now the Mary P. Hinsdale School) then grades 1 through 12, and later joined his younger brother Whelock, after their father’s death, in managing the family’s scythe shop known as the Thayer Scythe Company. This company, along with several others in town, used iron ore mined in the Canaan Valley to manufacture much needed tools like scythes, shovels and hoes, many of which were sold in the South.
"Billy" Batcheller referred to the Fourth School as his "alma mater". In June 1906, shortly before his death on June 29, 1907, at age 70, "announcement was made that a $10,000 fund had been established for the purpose of making annual awards in the attainment of scholars for the fourth district schools. The name of the donor was at first withheld, but it was not long before it became known his name was William H. Batcheller.
Another gift from Mr. Batcheller was announced in the form of a "sinking fund" of $25,000 and a record of this fund may be found in every town report. It is needless to go on into details regarding it here, except to say that Mr. Batcheller stipulated that the fund be invested annually in town orders at 2% interest and that when the principal shall have increased to $75,000 the town shall appropriate $50,000 of the amount towards paying indebtedness and continue same course again with the remaining $25,000. At the present writing (1972) the school fund has increased to $15,000 and provides annual cash prizes amounting to $600. Since the erection of the Central School (now Pearson Middle School), which was built within the limits of the former fourth district, pupils in that school have shared in the proceeds of the fund."
All taken from Winsted and The Town of Winchester, DeMars and Bronson, 1972, page 149.
In 1960, Winsted’s new elementary school was dedicated in the memory of Mr. William H. Batcheller and students continue to receive annual awards for excellence in many areas of accomplishment.
Another gift from this family will be remembered by many. Whelock T. Batcheller, William's younger brother, a Civil War Veteran, donated money for the construction of an isolation ward at the Litchfield County Hospital (later the Winsted Memorial Hospital). When it’s purpose was no longer necessary, this ward became the " Maternity Cottage", where many of our students’ parents and grandparents were born.