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Amazing Charter Oak

Amazing Charter Oak
Charter Oak Academy turned 75 Years old this year.  The building was constructed in 1931.  There are many different things that make our school special including it's students, teachers, history, location and architectural details that make Charter Oak Academy a special school.
  • There are currently 19 classrooms that house our 356 students.
  • Our Library has over 14,000 volumes.
  • We have over 100 instructional computers. (Computers kids can use anytime!)
  • There are 19 Classrooms
  • We have one of the most amazing Family Resource Centers!
 

One of the most amazing things about our building is that we have in our possession some incredible artifacts!  The Treasures of Charter Oak almost all come from when it was originally constructed in 1931.  Below is a brief description and picture of some of our treasures.

To the left is a picture of a piece of the Charter Oak that has sat in our Lobby for 75 years.  The piece of the Oak has been a subject of student research for many many years.  The story of the Oak is an incredible one.  It housed in a hole in it's trunk the original charter for the Connecticut Colony while the British tried to revoke it.  We are fortunate to have such a large and impressive artifact that played such an important role in the history of the State of Connecticut.  
To the right is an incredible oil on canvas painting that measure approximately 5' by 4 ' and is of the Fairy Tale of Winkin' Blinkin' and Nod.  The painting was executed by Walter Korder, an important Connecticut Artist during the W.P.A. period in the 1930's.  We have two of his paintings.  This one sits in our hallway and was preserved in the early 90's by Walter Korder's children.  It was painted in 1931.

 

To the right is the second Walter Korder oil on canvas that Charter Oak Academy is fortunate enough to have in its possession.  This painting is massive and sits on one wall of our library.  It is, of course, of the famous scene when Hansel and Gretel are being coaxed into the witches house.  This painting was also preserved by funds made available by Walter Korder's children in the early 1990's.  This painting was commissioned in 1931. 

 

We have very little on Walter Korder in our archives and would welcome any emails or information you could send to the Webmaster, Gary Petersen, regarding this important artist. 

 
Hidden under these plants and children's work is a most amazing fountain and fish pond.  Ernest Batchelder and major influence in the Arts and Crafts movement in 1900-1920 in California made tiles for many important installations.  Our fountain is made by Ernest Batchelder.  Batchelder wrote the famous design book "The Principals of Design"  This fountain has a mixture of important tiles including Mayan reliefs, Lion's head fountain as well as two incredible frogs.  This irreplaceable fountain sits in one of our Kindergarten classrooms. 

 

 

 

To the right is a beautiful light fixture of cut glass as well as a colorful Calder like Mobile.  Notice the beautiful ceiling details in the entrance hall of Charter Oak Academy.

  

Above and to the left you can see the beautiful iron work that is above all of our entrances.  They are art deco oak leaves and trees. We have many freezes in our architectural detailing.  If you look closely there is a picture of the Charter Oak above the middle door. 

 

Although not new, it deserves a mention as one of the new treasures of Charter Oak Academy.  The new Boundless Playground in the front of our building attracts children of all ages.  Welcome to play on it after hours and before dark, it is a beautiful new addition to our treasure chest.

  

To the right is more Batchelder Tile work in the kindergarten room.  Under all of the children's beautiful work lies a fireplace in it's original condition.  It is incredible to think that years ago, fireplaces were common in our schools.  Although we don't use it, we value it more then the heat if provided a long time ago.  Above, an original Kindergarten Monet, done by the children of a class many years ago.

  
Coming soon....more on our fountain, fireplace, flooring, and light fixtures.