Woodsville High School, originally known as Woodsville Union High School, was founded in 1896. Schooling in Woodsville, New Hampshire, however, began long before that day. The first schoolhouse was built in 1848, located at the base of Clay Hill on South Court Street. This humble, one-room building cost the town two hundred twenty dollars to build, and it served the town for twenty-four years. 

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The Clay Hill Schoolhouse, in use from 1848-1872

(Photo courtesy of James Hobbs)

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In 1872, the townspeople decided that a new building was needed, and so a two-story school was built at the cost of $5, 980.36. This wooden building had a large hall on the second floor, and had two rooms on the ground floor for the intermediate and grammar grades. The hall was often used for social gatherings, private school lessons, and church services.

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Located on School Street, this building housed the original Woodsville High School,

and was in use from about 1873-1899. It later became Davison Hall.

(Photo courtesy of James Hobbs)

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In 1894, nine grades were established in the school, and in 1895, the townspeople financed a petition to separate the grammar school from the high school. This petition was adhered to, and in 1896, Woodsville High School was born on the second floor of this building. The headmaster was Samuel Robertson, and there were twenty kids in the school on that first day, August 30th. 

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With the inception of the high school, people began to flock to the area, and by 1900, a new schoolhouse was needed to accommodate the ever-growing number of students in the school. Much rather than chose a new location for their new schoolhouse, the people of Woodsville decided to build a new school in the exact same place as the old one. They opted to move the old schoolhouse one block down the street, and the old building became known as Davison Hall, after Charles Davison purchased it.The new schoolhouse was finished in 1901, and was furnished with "modern" lighting, heating, ventilating, and plumbing.

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The second schoolhouse on School Street, this building was in use from 1900

until 1961, when a fire burned it down. When the high school moved to 

King's Plain, this building continued on as the elementary school.

(Photos courtesy of James Hobbs)

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This new school served the town for another eleven years, until 1912, when Headmaster Elbert E. Orcutt of Woodsville High School convinced the people of Woodsville that another new school was needed. By the spring of 1914, this new school was finished, standing proudly on King's Plain, and it is still being used today. Many modifications have been made since 1914, however. In 1933, the students of the high school had grown to over two hundred, and a new building on the grounds was needed for all of the classes to spread out comfortably. This new building was the Community Building, now known as the Dr. John Bagonzi Building. Constructed in 1937, this grand community building with a capacity of 1,000 people had a large auditorium to house graduation, proms, and sports games, amongst other events. It also had showers and locker rooms in the basement. 

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On the left is the modern high school on King's Plain, while the Dr. John Bagonzi Building,

as it looked in 1937, is pictured at right. Both buildings are still

in use today.

(Photos courtesy of James Hobbs)

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In 1952, another big change came to the high school. Largely due to the work of Phil Bennett, Superintendent of Schools at the time, a Vocational Building was built on the school lot. This new building, which was later named in honor of Mr. Bennett, was the home of auto mechanics classes, home economics, and wood shop. Later, welding classes were introduced, and adult night classes were held in it. This building was a grand addition to the school, as it allowed for more room in the main building. 

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The Bennett Building as it stood in the 1950´s.

(Photo courtesy of James Hobbs)

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Woodsville High went through another large change in 1968. During that year, the Town of Haverhill decided to create the Haverhill Cooperative School District. With this new district came the decision to transform Haverhill Academy into solely a junior high, sending all of its high schoolers to Woodsville. With the new students coming in, more space was needed at the proud school on King's Plain, and so a new wing was built on to the main building. This wing allowed for more classrooms, and and opportunity to spread out the student body more comfortably. This addition was the last major building change to the school. 

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Woodsville High School, as it stood in 2016.

(Photos by Jillian Mason)

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Less-drastic changes have occurred since the addition of a new wing. In 1991, the present-day science laboratories were built, as well as the guidance suite and a new library. Also, the buildings were all updated to be what was considered handicap accessible for the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At left is a photo from the 1959 school yearbook that shows the library at that time.

At right is a photo of the school library in 2016. (Photo by Jillian Mason)

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In April of 2015, the main school building underwent the most recent change, as the building had to be brought up to fire code. New walls and doors were installed on the first floor, but it was the top floor of the building that transformed the most. The open-floor plan that the top floor had was long-gone as walls were erected and classrooms were changed so as to conform to safety codes. The school was also updated to be more handicap accessible. 

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The remodeled top floor. Despite having undergone many changes, including the

introduction of carpet, the original wood flooring is still there. 

(Photos by Jillian Mason)

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The future of Woodsville High School is currently being discussed. There is talk of closing Woodsville Elementary School, adding on to the Haverhill Cooperative Middle School, and updating the high school. Alternatively, there are whispers that the high school will be shut down and its students tuitioned to other local schools, like Oxbow High School (Bradford, VT) or Blue Mountain Union (Wells River, VT). Regardless of what happens to the physical building, the Woodsville pride will remain ubridled, and the spirit will carry on.