Mr Barry, Principal; Quote,Students who attend the vocational school have a different frame of reference toward their school.They should be respected for their courage and ability to go against the mode of the times and seek their personal goals in their own way. (Right on Mr,B)
Historical statement: The Beverly Independent Industrial School opened in 1909 for the purpose of providing occupational training to selected students not attending the Town High School. Steps to establish a liaison with the United Shoe Machine Corporation were started in 1909. Housed in the noted industrial concrete building designed by Ernest L. Ransome, the Company needed skilled workers for making its product-the shoe lasts or wooden form over which shoes were constructed. Complying with the state mandate of the Douglas Commission Report of 1906 (Mass. General Laws, Ch 505), the Beverly Cooperative Trade School (1925 - ca 1980) was founded with the leadership of George Hervey Vose, a machinist, teacher and director of machine shops, and Robert Orange Small, superintendent of schools. Curricula included auto repair, cabinetmaking, printing, pattern making and machine shop. In 1964 the Trade School opened at the new Beverly High School but was changed in 1970 to the Claude H. Patten (noted teacher and trade school director between 1926 - 1962) Vocational High School, staying in operation until 1995.
The school opened in September 1964 before the high school was ready. The high school moved to the building in May of 1965. We had no facilities other than shops and classrooms and had to brown bag lunch to eat in classrooms. FYI, I am the only one still teaching.
