Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

148 Billings Road (Francis W. Parker School)

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Tercentenary Editicn of the Quincy Patriot Ledger reports that "... a splendid 16 room building with a beautiful assembly hall was opened in 1917 and named Francis W. Parker as a fitting memorial to the great educator of whom it is said 'He drove gloom from the schoolroom.'" In 1975, students of the Parker School paid tribute to the one hundredth anniversary of the coming of Colonel Francis W. Parker to Quincy in 1875, who instituted freedom and interest in the classrooms, the renowned "Quincy System", in place of the stern and disciplinarian practices of the times.

Colonel Parker, Who served in the Union Army during the Civil War, visited Europe in 1871 and studied the German elementary education methods which de-emphasized books and memory work and instituted more use of the blackboard and oral work and encouraged individuality. He came back to Quincy as the City's first Superintendent of Schools and in five years made Quincy so influential in educational circles that it a1most revolutionized methods of teaming. Parker remained in Quincy only until 1880 at which time he became associated with the Chicago Institute of Academic and Pedagogic, an experimental school which was to become affiliated with the University of Chicago as the School of Education.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Original plans, Maintenance Departnent, Quincy Public SChools.
Quincy Patriot Ledger, Tercentenary Edition, 1925; Septenber 1, 1965; Patriot Ledger, April 15, 1975.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Between 1901 and 1920 Quincy witnessed a period of unprecedented school building (twelve in this inventory). The discipline or pedagogy, educational philosophy and school architecture were well established; numerous books appeared on these subjects at that time, and amongst them was the 1902 School Architecture by Edmund March Wheelwright. The author thoroughly explored educational systems and structures in Europe and in the United States. The majority or the American buildings illustrated in his book shared common characteristics: they were self-contained (compared to the campus plan of later years), generously fenestrated, had a central axis, side pavilions and decorative elements in the classical mode. The Francis W. Parker School, named for Quincy's first school superintendent (1875-1880) and a national recognized innovator in education, manifested these tenets as well as those suggested by Fletcher B. Dresslar in 1911 in his American School House, American School Buildings, of good light, clean air and undisturbed places.

The facade of the 1917 Francis W. Parker school is similar to the one of the sister schools, Adams and Wollaston of 1913 and duplicates that or the 1916 Daniel Webster School. It consists of a symmetrical block composed or a central section which has an impressive entrance and tall arched keystoned windows on the second floor and is flanked by projecting pavilions all set upon a high basement or random ashlar granite. The solid walls of the pavilions are enlivened with a raised diaper pattern, created with black brick headers on the second floor, and a recessed panel on the third floor. The side elevations show the same symmetry but in a reverse order. It the central section which projects slightly, and has on its second floor an arched window, reiterating those of the facade. The architectural ornamentation reflect Colonial Revival characteristics, such as the robust Roman pediment facade entrance, flanked with pilasters, the contrasting string courses, and the unusual arched window enframement. These arched window moldings connected to the string course create a most interesting rhythmical pattern on the facade. The flat parapet emphasizes the building's horizontality and alludes to its classical parentage. It is one of the finest school buildings in Quincy.

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