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Strategic School Profile Narrative
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The Batcheller Elementary School is located at 201 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.
Batcheller Elementary School
201 Pratt Street
Winsted, CT 06098
phone: (860) 379-5423
fax: (860) 379-1301
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Winchester Public Schools