Rollinsford Grade School

Opening in 1937, Rollinsford Grade School was the first school created by the Durham firm Huddleston and Hersey. Their principal, Eric Huddleston, designed many buildings for the University of New Hampshire as their first campus architect. Buried on the grounds of the school is Obo II, notably named the father of the American Cocker Spaniel dog breed. It is commissioned and in use today as a elementary school making it onto the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Prior to the school’s creation, the land it sat on was mainly used for agricultural purposes. In 1936, beginning construction of the school took place to fall in line with the town’s village school and two other schoolhouses. This school was designed by the Huddleston and Hersey company with the leading architect being Eric Huddleston. It would be the first school construction under this firm’s watchful eye serving as the prototypes for future projects. It was supported and funded through the Public Works Administration.

When it first started, it held classes for grades 1st-8th, but now only holds classes for 1st-6th grades. Students that are upper class get sent to adjacent schools for further education. The school itself was built as a two-story structure in the Colonial Revival architectural style. It has aluminum and glass-made doors with Corinthian plasters on the sides. The original main block extends to two additions made to the building, which were both built in 1965 and 1998 respectively, while the front of the school retains its normal finishes from when it was created.

There is a cocker spaniel dog buried on the premises named Obo II. Obo II was considered the father and originator to the breed of the American Cocker Spaniel. The cocker spaniel has been buried there since January 2nd, 1985 with a grave dedicated to him on the site. Today, the grade school is operating as an elementary school only. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

“Who We Are,” Rollinsford Grade School. Accessed June 2nd 2021. https://sites.google.com/a/rollinsford.k12.nh.us/rollinsford-grade-school/who-we-are

Currie, Judi. “Rollinsford board wants to keep grade school,” Fosters.com. 2016, Jan. 17. Accessed June 2nd 2021. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fosters.com/article/20160117/NEWS/160119529%3ftemplate=ampart

”Rollinsford Grade School,” National Park Service. Accessed June 2nd 2021.