Southworth tour brings back memories

By Linda CarmanPrint Story | Email Story
Southworth conversion Project Manager Robert Jarvis stands beside a soaring arched window in the former school, which was renovated into 15 apartments for Williams College faculty and staff. (Photo By Linda Carman)
WILLIAMSTOWN — Retired Superintendent of Schools Helen Renzi was among 400 residents, many of whom had studied or taught in its classrooms, who toured the former Southworth School Saturday. “I saw my office made into a wonderful apartment,” said Renzi. Williams College opened the doors of the tall, red brick 100-year-old former Williamstown High School and elementary school building, which has undergone a $5.5 million renovation into 15 apartments for college faculty and staff. The college paid the town $100,000 for the school, which was no longer needed as a school once the new elementary school on Church Street was completed. Apartments at Southworth will rent for between $900 and $1,350, according to a letter the college recently sent to faculty members. Their completion brings the college’s holdings of apartments to 115, according to Helen Ouellete, Williams vice president and treasurer. Occupants will be chosen through a housing lottery next month, she said. She said she was very proud of architects Black River Designs’ reuse of the historical building and the building’s energy efficiency, which has gained it an “Energy Star” rating from the U.S. Department of Energy, overseen by the Center for Ecological Technology. BlackRiver Designs is based in Montpelier, Vt.; the contractor was Engelberth Construction of Keene, N.H. “It’s a good thing for the community and a great thing for the college,” Ouellette said. “It’s so historic on the outside and so up to date on the inside.” Apartments range from studios to two bedrooms; four are accessible for the handicapped, while two can be adapted for the handicapped. Three apartments retain the original narrow-board maple flooring. One, on two levels, incorporates the large arched window overlooking School Street. In the kitchens, the original blackboards have been fitted to serve as backsplashes behind sleek granite counters. All the rooms, of course, have high ceilings and tall windows. Each apartment has a distinctive color combination. And corridors have exposed brick walls. Christopher Bolton, who teaches Japanese at Williams, toured the building with his wife, Kija, and their baby girl. “I’m trying to find my old sixth grade classroom,” Bolton said. Sue Lenhoff, viewing the building with fellow teacher Nancy Bottesi, said, “We both want to get one of these apartments and never go home.” Jeanne Roy, another teacher, said she remembered the building’s former layout and appearance. “It’s bright, cheery, welcoming. It’s amazing,” she said. Beverly Ames, a teacher for 32 years, said, “Oh, it’s wonderful. It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s amazing what they could do. It’s gorgeous.” Barbara Sylvester, who graduated from the former Williamstown High School there in 1956, toured the building with Shirley Sylvester, class of 1950, and Paul and Marlene Dube, ’52 and ’50, respectively. Marlene Dube noted that the college let her high school reunion group tour the building. Beverly Sylvester added, “Where we came in was the Aggie Room. That was the Future Farmers of America.” The renovation, she said, was well done. “On, it’s lovely: big rooms and lots of storage Town Historical Commission member David Loomis recalled, “Mom taught right upstairs [His mother, Dorothy Loomis, taught sixth grade in the building].” “I like the building,” he said. “I like the reuse of historic structures.” Project manager Robert Jarvis said the construction costs had come in under bid, with costs averaging $160 to $170 per square foot, including purchase, design and mechanicalsm as well as materials and labor. Local contractors were used as much as possible, Jarvis said. Showing visitors around the building, he pointed out cut nails in the exposed brick walls. And, in a third- floor apartment, he showed how skylight windows and their shades opened and closed by a remote control. “It’s been a real labor of love,” he said.
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Senior Golf Series Returns in September

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire County Fall Senior Golf series returns in September with events on five consecutive Wednesdays starting Sept. 18.
 
It is the 22nd year of the series, which is a fund-raiser for junior golf in the county, and it is open to players aged 50 and up.
 
The series will feature two divisions for each event based on the combined ages of the playing partners.
 
Golfers play from the white tees (or equivalent) with participants 70 and over or who have a handicap of more than 9 able to play from the forward tees.
 
Gross and net prices will be available in each division.
 
The cost is $55 per event and includes a round of golf, food and prizes. Carts are available for an additional fee.
 
Golfers should call the pro shop at the course for that week's event no sooner than two weeks before the event to register.
 
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