Historian Jeff Murray takes a look into West Hartford’s past to uncover some surprising information, stir up some memories, or reflect on how much life has changed – or hasn’t changed at all. Enjoy this week’s ‘From West Hartford’s Archives’ …

By Jeff Murray

George Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732. His 200th birthday celebration was formalized by the federal government and on a massive scale across the country, including in West Hartford, where reenactments and a tree dedication were held.

In 1930, President Herbert Hoover led the George Washington Bicentennial Commission, which was created by Congress to coordinate thousands of events nationwide throughout the entire year of 1932.

Parades, reenactments, school programs, and patriotic rallies took place all across the United States. In Mount Vernon, Washington’s home, special events were held with historical reenactors and formal speeches. President Hoover gave multiple addresses emphasizing Washington’s character and leadership, and a massive radio broadcast campaign brought his legacy into homes across America, since radio was the dominant mass medium then. (The next President, Franklin Roosevelt, would make better use of the radio with his so-called fireside chats a year later.)

Films, pageants, and public readings of Washington’s speeches, including his Farewell Address in 1796, were common during 1932. Stamps, medals, and other memorabilia were produced to honor the milestone. The U.S. Mint issued a special Washington quarter, replacing the Standing Liberty design – in fact, this was the first year that Washington’s face appeared on the quarter, where it remains today.

The man standing in the center of the featured photograph was William Hall, arguably the most influential figure in our local history. Born in 1845 in a farmhouse on Fern Street near Mountain Road, he attended school in Hartford and then Monson Academy in Massachusetts. He then attended Amherst, where he dropped out after two years due to illness and was forced to move back home.

In 1872, he was appointed a teacher in West Hartford and was quickly promoted the upcoming winter to be the principal of the first high school in town. He was involved in nearly every civic organization in town for the next 60 years.

He was president of the Village Improvement Society in the 1880s, general manager of Congregational Church bazaars, an officer of the Connecticut Sunday School Association, and school visitor. In the fall of 1897, he was chosen as the superintendent of schools in West Hartford.

At every town meeting, he was present showing his support for improvements to education, infrastructure (like road paving and sewers), and the local economy. He was a vehement opponent of the push in 1895 to annex the town to the City of Hartford, and he was passionately in favor of anything that elevated West Hartford’s reputation and the welfare of its citizens.

After 25 years as superintendent, Hall retired in 1922 and was succeeded by Lloyd Bugbee. In honor of his service to the town, the West Hartford High School under construction between Memorial Road and Burr Street was renamed William H. Hall High School. After his retirement, Hall spent nearly a decade collecting histories from older residents, institutions, and homes, and he published a complete history book, which I continue to use to this day.

“West Hartford,” by William Hall. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Known affectionately as the “grand old man of education” in West Hartford, Hall’s participation in George Washington’s Bicentennial in 1932, just two years before he died, was of course the least surprising fact that I came across. Any event that integrated school children and encouraged widespread community participation always included him.

This event instilled civic pride and historical awareness among residents at a turbulent time in American history. In February 1932, the U.S. was in the depths of the Great Depression – widespread unemployment, economic collapse, and public despair. This bicentennial was a way to boost national morale and inspire unity. Washington’s image as a unifier and strong leader was seen as a model for leadership in a time of national distress.

Unfortunately for President Hoover, he would be voted out by the end of the year. The patriotic spectacle of Washington’s bicentennial was nice, but it couldn’t distract from breadlines and chaos in America’s cities and farms. Hoover’s speeches were respected, but many people felt he wasn’t living up to the virtues of Washington in action. His tone sometimes came off as moralizing and detached. It didn’t help that in just a few short months, Hoover would order the violent removal of World War I veterans from Washington, D.C., who had converged on the capital to protest the government’s delay in paving promised bonuses – not a good look.

For now, West Hartford residents could throw their children’s pageant and festivities in the Center and beyond. A day later, the Hartford Courant front page displayed a story about the leader of Germany’s National Socialist party, Adolf Hitler, announcing his run for president in their upcoming election. A year later, this fringe radical was appointed as Chancellor and consolidated power, sending the U.S. on a collision course with the other powers in World War II. History does move fast.

Jeff Murray was born and raised in West Hartford and has been involved with the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society since 2011 when he was a high school student and won the Meyer Prize for his essay on local history. Jeff routinely volunteers as local history researcher uncovering information for numerous museum programs such as the West Hartford House Tour and West Hartford Hauntings. Jeff works as a data analyst at Pratt & Whitney.

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