1937 Martin Hall/Laboratory School
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Martin Hall, home of the Laboratory School, 1937
The 6th grade class of 1938-39 standing by the east side of the hall.
1946
1947
1948
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The number of
students enrolled in the elementary grades at the Training School continued to
grow. By 1930, the Board of Trustees was looking for funds to replace the old
1908 school. However, the Great Depression meant there was no money available
from the state legislature. But in 1935, the federal Public Works
Administration approved the Trustees' proposal, and work began on a new school.
Martin Hall was
dedicated to Cheney native, Governor Clarence D. Martin on April 6 1937 during
a two-day education conference held in the building. The hall contained the new
Laboratory School for teacher training.
Each of the six
grades of the new Laboratory school was housed in a suite of four rooms, a main
room, workroom, supply closet, and office. The first three grades and the
kindergarten were on the ground floor, the upper grades and the library, on the
second floor. The large main room had a slate Blackboard, bulletin boards,
desks, and bookshelves.
Each of the six
grades of the new Laboratory school was housed in a suite of four rooms, a main
room, work room, supply closet, and office. The first three grades and
kindergarten were on the first floor, the upper grades and library, on the
second floor. The large main room held a slate Blackboard, bulletin boards,
desks and bookshelves. The workroom contained materials for projects, and toys
for the lower grade students. The supply closet had a porcelain sink, stainless
steel work tables, plus shelves and drawers for supplies. Along with a desk, the office had filing
cabinets and bookshelves. This was the most modern of equipment and classroom
design for its time.
The modern design of
the kindergarten included a large room with a fireplace, as well as small
chairs and rockers for the students. The play room had a large truck,
playhouse, rocking pony, and sand table that offered the youngsters a variety
of creative opportunities. Small folding cots were provided for the children to
rest during the afternoon.
On the second floor
above the kindergarten, there was the spacious library. It also had a
fireplace. Also on the second floor, was the cafeteria which could be converted
into a banquet hall for community use. In the 1940s, the cafeteria was used to
hold the teachers' reception each fall as the new year began. Over 160 teachers
and community members filled the room, clubwomen providing the entertainment
and refreshments.
Next to the
cafeteria were the domestic science rooms with electric ranges, a refrigerator,
and hotplates among the new modern equipment. The sewing room had electric
machines and fitting rooms. The entire department was lit by large windows
offering plenty of natural light and ventilation.
Back on the ground
floor, beneath the cafeteria in the left wing, was a 400 seat auditorium. The
sloping floor offered excellent viewing to all, and a grand piano was available
for musical performances. Students had a large outdoor recess area behind the
hall.
In 1938, a gymnasium
was added to the building. Williamson Hall was added to the north side of Martin Hall, dedicated in 1979.
After the campus
school was completed to the west of Martin Hall in 1959, the hall was converted
to classrooms, lab space, and offices.