Charlestown Historical Society Annual Meeting and Guest Speaker

“From Pawcatuck Valley to Charlestown Elementary: One School’s History.” In this illustrated lecture, writer (and Charlestown School graduate) Betty J. Cotter will describe the history of the school, from its origins as the Pawcatuck Valley School in 1918 through its 20th-century expansion. She will discuss many of the school’s longtime teachers of that period, including Principal Ellen F. Frye and teachers Edith Pine, Elsa Webster, Mary Hargraves, Mary Crandall, Helen Brunskill, Harry Wicklund, Joan Holberton, Charles Dipollino, and others. Interspersed throughout her talk will be letters and documents from her mother’s 14 years teaching at the school. The Historical Society’s annual meeting will follow.