Egremont —On a flawless Saturday afternoon, the town Egremont hosted two events the town looks forward to every year at the end of August. Blue Rider Stables, an equestrian institution for riding, teaching, and fun had its annual fundraiser at French Park. At the other end of town, to celebrate the town’s incorporation on August 23, 1775, the town of Egremont held a party for its 243rd birthday on the lawn of the newly restored South Egremont Village School House. From the looks of both crowds, everyone in town, and then some, turned out for one or both parties. About 80 people attended the latter.
As chair of the Egremont Historical Commission Susan Bachelder observed that “the opportunity to celebrate the presence of our living rural tradition at both ends of town on the same day is a testament to the strength this community has and its determination to preserve and promote its quality of life.”
Introduced by Selectman George McGurn, both state Sen. Adam Hinds and Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli spoke on the value of education, with Rep. Pignatelli recalling his aunt’s teaching in a one-room school and the impression that had on her students, and those students on her for the rest of their lives. The Town received proclamations from both the state Senate and the House in honor of its birthday and its preservation work for the school.
Also attending were Southern Berkshire Regional School District Superintendent Beth Regulbuto and Undermountain Elementary School Principal Charles Miller who joined Sarah Cook who will be teaching the first class in the new building. Unable to attend, both John Salvini, of Salco Construction and Evelyn Cole Smith, architect, who were responsible for the school’s new foundation, were not there to see the gift the town gave to its new elementary school teacher. Salco’s crew had discovered several items in the walls during the work of lifting the building. The Historical Commission thought it fitting to give Cook a piece of 100-year-old chalk found in the walls to start her off. The rest of the items, some paper tests and a pair of rubber boots from the Boston Rubber Shoe Company have been housed at the Archives for viewing.
“We could think of no better place to secure its future than in the hand of our new teacher,” Bachelder said, as she handed Cook the small piece of white chalk under a shower of applause. “The town is delighted to welcome you.”
All prior questions about access and use including lead issues have been legally laid to rest. “We did find out on Wednesday, however, after everything was resolved, that the alarm would not ring, and a school must have a working alarm,” Selectman Mary Brazie noted.
The final piece of this amazing reconstruction puzzle is expected to be solved when the alarm company arrives on Tuesday. Sarah Cook’s class in the meantime will occupy another classroom while this final repair is accomplished. Then the next chapter in the 137-year history of the South Egremont Village School will begin. The Village can hardly wait.
