Property Record
105 ICE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Jefferson Elementary School |
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| Other Name: | Jefferson Elementary School |
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| Reference Number: | 60217 |
| Location (Address): | 105 ICE ST |
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| County: | Winnebago |
| City: | Menasha |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1932 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2009 |
| Historic Use: | elementary, middle, jr.high, or high |
| Architectural Style: | English Revival Styles |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Stone - Unspecified |
| Architect: | Foeller, Schober & Berner |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | Intending to provide local employment for those hit by the Depression, in 1931 the City Council authorized the school board's proposal to build a new school for the Fifth Ward. Foeller, Schober & Berner of Green Bay were hired as architects for the project and $125,000 was authorized for Jefferson School. The significance of Jefferson School is primarily architectural. Jefferson School borders Lake Winnebago and is situated adjacent to Jefferson Park. A two-and-one-half-story rectangular schoolhouse built during the Tudor Revival Period of Construction, its roof is multi- gabled with dormers. Wall material consists of fieldstone and the foundation is concrete. Windows are mainly double-hung with multi-paned sashes. Other features include decorative half timbering, an entry pavilion, and a bay. Unusual for such buildings, Jefferson School is an outstanding example of the Tudor Revival Period of Construction. 2009--A highly sympathetic and compatible addition was made to the east side of the school after the building was last surveyed in 1984. The following material is from the 2009 Intensive Survey of Menasha: Sheathed with Wisconsin limestone and trimmed with Mankato stone, this two-story, Tudor Revival-style, steel-framed school building features half-timber work and stucco finish, as well as some wooden bracket trim. Multiple gables extend and/or rise from the roof or wall throughout the facility and many exhibit the half-timber and stucco work. The primary entrance for the school is located along Ice Street and is outlined by a stone label mold under which "JEFFERSON SCHOOL" is found in raised, Olde English-type lettering. All windows of the structure appear to be multiple-light examples. Although originally designed with a slate roof, the building has since been re-roofed with asphalt and a sympathetic library expansion and classroom addition was made in 2001 on the east side of the building. Jefferson Elementary School was designed by the Green Bay architectural firm of Foeller, Schober & Berners and constructed between 1931 and 1932. In October of 1931, the City Council authorized the school board's proposal to build a new Fifth Ward School, with the intention of providing employment for local construction workers. Within the month to follow, the architectural firm was chosen and, two months later, plans were submitted. Construction began in the Spring of 1932 and in April of that year, the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern provided a good description of what the school would look like at its completion. The school was touted as the "newest type" and that the classrooms were designed by Dr. N. L. Englehardt of the Teacher's College at Columbia University and were identified as "the New Rochelle, N.Y. type classrooms." After all equipment was installed in late December, the school was completed for use in January 1933, immediately after the Christmas holiday vacation. The new building housed students from the old Fifth Ward School, as well as 5th and 6th graders from Butte des Morts School. An open house was held on 1 February 1933, at which an estimated 1,000 adults attended. The cost of the school, which was funded by a bond issue, was estimated at $125,000; however, the actual cost came in at $122,000, just slightly under budget. In 2001, the firm of Martenson & Eisele constructed a sympathetic classroom addition and expanded the library on the east side of the building; the architect of the design was Jeff Schulz. To date, the facility continues to function as a school. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Menasha Record; October 7, 1921, page 1. B. Ibid.;' October 21, 1931, page 1. C. Ibid.; November 14, 1931, page 1. "Pick Architects to Design School," Appleton Post-Crescent, 14 November 1931, 10/8. "Submit Plans for Fifth Ward School," Appleton Post-Crescent, 14 January 1932, 12/1. "School Building at Menasha To Be of Newest Type," Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, 30 April 1932, 1/1. "Plan Inspection of New Building February 1st," Appleton Post-Crescent, 16 December 1932, 11/3. "Install Equipment in Jefferson School," Appleton Post-Crescent, 29 December 1932, 7/3. Information regarding the addition was found on the website of Martenson & Eisele, at www.martenson-eisele.com, Accessed on 5 June 2009. "Addition Will Match Old Library," Appleton Post-Crescent, 4 September 2003, 1. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |