Test your knowledge of West Hartford history with this ‘Thursday Throwback,’ courtesy of the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society.

By Ronni Newton

It’s Throwback Thursday (#tbt), and time to take a look back into West Hartford’s past to either stir up some memories, reflect on how much things have changed, or both. And if you have no idea, we love the photo captions, too!

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

I thought that our observant readers might recognize the buildings in last week’s photo (at right and in larger size below), and most of you were spot on.

“Just a guess here, maybe the Saint Joseph College nursery school a.k.a. The School for Young Children, on Steele Rd., 1946,” commented Robert Farr.

“I agree, because I just happened to drive by it on Steele Road yesterday and noted those paladian windows all in a row. I’m hedging a bit, though, because the structure on Steele is longer and has more of a flat front today,” added Connie Reder, who should not have doubted her initial thought.

“It was Beech Park Elementary School on Steele Road. It is now St. Joseph University Nursery School,” commented Giovanni Seccareccia, and Dianne Rechel agreed about the former use of the building: “It’s Beach Park School on Steele Rd. It was a small elementary school for kids who lived north of the Morley district. Never went there, but always loved those windows!”

Liz Gillette also agreed – and is correct: “I concur on Beach Park School. I believe it was named after the Beach family, not the beech trees. Years and years ago,the former principal (Miss Alice ????) told me that the building had no kitchen and the children all walked home for lunch. Bet there’s a kitchen now!” In a second comment she added, “Oh! and P.S. (Sen.) Beth Bye was the director/principal for years after it became the School for Young Children. Chances are our Town Historian, Tracy Wilson can fill in a lot of blanks!”

Ed Stanley had some personal ties, and details, about the original school that was located in this building on Steele Road: “Yes – that building was originally the Beach Park Elementary School which was part of the W.H. Public Schools until the early 1970s. My grandmother, Alice Stanley Young, was the revered principal of the school for many years until it closed. It was a nice, little neighborhood school – and lacking a cafeteria, the kids went home for lunch! Great that the historic building is still used for the education of children!”

Those who commented on Facebook were all in agreement that this photo was of the former Beach Park School, which today is the School for Young Children at the University of Saint Joseph.

“So neat to see this photo – before brick addition was added. It’s still a beautiful building with “great bones”! School for Young Children!!” wrote Sue O’Donnell.

And a little known fact about the building’s use after Beach Park closed from “Rafferty Veneziano Dianna Rob” on Facebook: “Beach Park School – way back when. CREC Day Treatment Service School was there just before the School for Young Children renovated it. A beautiful building.”

We don’t know exactly what year the photo was taken, but we do have some other historical details about the Steele Road property. According to “Images of West Hartford” by Wilson H. Faude, the land on which the Beach Park School was constructed was donated to the Town of West Hartford by T. Belknap Beach, grandson of the founder of The Travelers. Beach Park School opened in 1926 and was closed in 1973. The land was sold to what is now the University of Saint Joseph, and after renovations and an addition, in 1999 the School for Young Children moved into the building.

Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

This week’s image (at right and in larger size below) throws it pretty far back into West Hartford’s past.

What was happening in this photo?

Where did this take place?

When do you think this photo was taken?

What is located in this area now?

Please share your memories below.

Thank you to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society for providing us with the images. They are always looking for new images to add to the collection. Visit their website atwww.noahwebsterhouse.orgfor more information about membership and programs.

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Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

Former Beach Park School, now School for Young Children, 238 Steele Rd. Courtesy Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society