Byram School
Between Sherman Ave. and Western Junior Hwy., Greenwich, CTThe Byram School is architecturally significant as a well-preserved superior example of institutional Colonial Revival-style architecture. Enhanced by the quality of its architectural detailing and its exceptional park-like setting. it is one of the best of the several early twentieth-century schools of this style in Greenwich.
The Byram School, a neighborhood elementary school, was built in 1925-26 to serve the then primarily Polish-American community of Byram. It was a replacement for an earlier wooden structure, also a neighborhood school, which was located on Boston Post Road. The community was established because of the nearby granite quarries which flourished in the late nineteenth century, attracting Polish immigrants to the area.
Ten architects entered an architectural competition to design the Byram School. A local architect, Errol Coffin, of the firm Coffin and Coffin, was selected. He was known for his designs for school buildings throughout the Northeast. Several of his schools, built between 1925 and 1934, were featured in architectural journals of the period.
Excavation began in October 1924 and the original building was completed by September 1926. It contained 15 rooms serving kindergarten through the eighth grade. An auditorium and gymnasium wing was added in 1936, but the architect for the addition is not known. In September 1926, the old Byram School on Post Road was sold at auction,
Local significance of the building:
The Byram School, a neighborhood elementary school, was built in 1925-26 to serve the then primarily Polish-American community of Byram. It was a replacement for an earlier wooden structure, also a neighborhood school, which was located on Boston Post Road. The community was established because of the nearby granite quarries which flourished in the late nineteenth century, attracting Polish immigrants to the area.
Ten architects entered an architectural competition to design the Byram School. A local architect, Errol Coffin, of the firm Coffin and Coffin, was selected. He was known for his designs for school buildings throughout the Northeast. Several of his schools, built between 1925 and 1934, were featured in architectural journals of the period.
Excavation began in October 1924 and the original building was completed by September 1926. It contained 15 rooms serving kindergarten through the eighth grade. An auditorium and gymnasium wing was added in 1936, but the architect for the addition is not known. In September 1926, the old Byram School on Post Road was sold at auction,
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
In 1650, Connecticut passed a law that prohibited the use of tobacco on the Sabbath. Violators were subject to a fine of one shilling.
About Fairfield County
Fairfield County Timeline
Fairfield County, located in the southwestern corner of Connecticut, has a rich history that spans thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by the indigenous Paugussett tribe, who lived off the land and engaged in trade with neighboring tribes. European settlers first arrived in the late 1630s, when men from Hartford purchased land from the Paugussett people, establishing the town of Stratford.
In the 18th century, Fairfield County played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. The region saw several important battles, including the famous Battle of Ridgefield, where American forces fought against British troops. Fairfield County also served as a strategic location for supplying and supporting the Continental Army, as it provided access to both Long Island Sound and the Hudson River.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Fairfield County experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization. Towns like Norwalk and Bridgeport became major manufacturing centers, producing goods such as textiles, machinery, and firearms. The growth of these industries brought an influx of immigrants to the area, particularly from Ireland and Italy, who played a vital role in its economic development.
Today, Fairfield County is known for its affluent communities, thriving business sectors, and cultural attractions. The county is home to renowned educational institutions, including Yale University in New Haven, and a variety of museums, theaters, and art galleries. With its picturesque coastline, charming towns, and proximity to New York City, Fairfield County continues to attract residents and visitors alike, preserving its rich history while embracing the opportunities of the present.
In the 18th century, Fairfield County played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. The region saw several important battles, including the famous Battle of Ridgefield, where American forces fought against British troops. Fairfield County also served as a strategic location for supplying and supporting the Continental Army, as it provided access to both Long Island Sound and the Hudson River.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Fairfield County experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization. Towns like Norwalk and Bridgeport became major manufacturing centers, producing goods such as textiles, machinery, and firearms. The growth of these industries brought an influx of immigrants to the area, particularly from Ireland and Italy, who played a vital role in its economic development.
Today, Fairfield County is known for its affluent communities, thriving business sectors, and cultural attractions. The county is home to renowned educational institutions, including Yale University in New Haven, and a variety of museums, theaters, and art galleries. With its picturesque coastline, charming towns, and proximity to New York City, Fairfield County continues to attract residents and visitors alike, preserving its rich history while embracing the opportunities of the present.
Fairfield County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Fairfield County, Connecticut.
- 1639 - Fairfield County is settled by English colonists from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
- 1660 - The town of Fairfield is officially incorporated.
- 1665 - The town of Norwalk is settled and officially incorporated.
- 1685 - The town of Stamford is settled and officially incorporated.
- 1724 - The town of Danbury is settled and officially incorporated.
- 1739 - The dividing line between Fairfield County and New Haven County is established.
- 1784 - The town of Ridgefield is settled and officially incorporated.
- 1851 - The town of Bridgeport is settled and officially incorporated.
- 1871 - The town of Greenwich is settled and officially incorporated.
- 1974 - The town of Newtown is settled and officially incorporated.
- 2000 - Fairfield County becomes the most populous county in Connecticut.