Summary
Cambridge Public School and High School
103 South Street, Village of Cambridge, Dane County
Dates of Construction: 1905-1906, 1938-1939
The evolution of educational practices in Wisconsin is apparent when carefully looking at the Cambridge Public School in eastern Dane county. Built from 1905-06 after the previous school house burned, the considerably larger Cambridge Public School embraced new educational requirements and recommendations for learning environments; as such, the two-story building was state-of-the-art, included a forced-air furnace, a ventilation system, and bright, airy classrooms.
In 1938, remodeling of some spaces and the addition of a larger gymnasium and new auditorium took place. This addition reflected new theories about modern schools. With a new gymnasium, daily physical activity was encouraged, and the auditorium allowed for community involvement in school activities. Furthermore, classrooms were remodeled to support specific subjects, such as science, home economics, and the industrial arts.
The 1938 addition was also significant because of the glued-laminated timber arches used in the construction of the gymnasium. Such methods were considered experimental in this period, and were not widely used elsewhere until after World War II. Further additions to the school were added throughout the 1950s and 60s to accommodate booming enrollment, although these additions are not considered contributing to the historical significance of this nomination; however, the 1905 and 1938 structures, as state-of-the-art facilities for their time, represent the evolution of education in Wisconsin during the early-twentieth century.
Property Details
| Criteria | Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture |
| Period of Significance | 1900-1924,1925-1949 |
| Architectural Style | Romanesque,Colonial Revival |
| Architect | Parsons & Son,Siewert,Alfred H. |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | School |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 22, 1998 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jun 23, 1998 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or have other questions about the registers, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
1010 Huron St
100012331
Located in Manitowoc, Manitowoc County
101 School St
100006692
Located in Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan County
600 Elm St (AKA 600 DIVISION ST)
61863
Located in Neenah, Winnebago County
623 Summit Avenue
13000588
Located in Oconomowoc, Waukesha County
