School Street School
26 School St
1918
Architectural Style
Colonial Revival
Significance
Architecture, Education
Use Type
Public School
Neighborhood
Bridgewater Town Center
Massachusetts Historical Commission Report
Architectural Significance
Built in 1917, this large brick high school building rises 2 stories to a wide, overhanging cornice—its roof is flat. Stylistically this structure is difficult to classify — Georgian Revival elements appear on its main facade, including a central bank of 5 windows enframed by stone classical pilasters and an entablature. Flanking these windows are handsome pedimented entrances. Side "wings" project from the school's rectangular main block.
Historical Significance
The Dr. Albert F. Hunt School was built in 1917 on land that had been part of the J.M. Stetson Estate. It was designed by Frank Irving Cooper, a prolific Boston area architect of high schools, courthouses, town halls and other public building types. F.I. Cooper's office is listed at 33 Cornhill, Boston in 1915. Born in
1867, he was active in his profession from the early 1890's until his death in 1933. He was responsible for Malden, Attleboro, Plymouth, and Quincy North Junior High Schools, to name but a few. In addition, he designed the Bristol County Court House, Tauton, MA; the Medford Ma. Memorial Library; Ashburton, MA, Town Hall; and Amherst College's Clark Pathological laboratory.
Originally known as the School Street School, this building was named in honor of Dr. Alfred F. Hunt in 1963. For many years Dr. Hunt lived next door at 28 School Street. Born in 1875, Dr. Hunt was a graduate of Brown University (1899) and the Harvard Medical School (1907). He was chairman of Bridgewater's Board of Health from 1910-1955. In addition, he served on the School Committe for 35 years. He died May 6, 1963.