What is Shea High School? Charles E. Shea Senior High School, originally titled Pawtucket West Senior High School, was built in 1938 as a result of the Public Works Administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Plan. Designed by architect John F. O’Malley, the building officially opened on September 15th, 1938 accompanied by then-Mayor Tom McCoy and its first principal, Chester Dascombe. Pawtucket West High School was originally divided into three separate schools: East Avenue Elementary School, Sayles Junior High School and West Senior High School and served a total of 1600 students from Grades 1 through 12. It offered classes in core subjects (math, history, english, etc) and introduced a plethora of extracurricular activities ranging from Band to Swimming. Located on 485 East Avenue, the 3.73 acres of land the school sits on was donated by businessman and philanthropist Frank A Sayles. In 1977, the name of the school was officially changed to Charles E. Shea High School, after Charles E. Shea, who served as principal between 1949 and 1959 and superintendent for another 18 years as did the school mascot from the Rangers to the Raiders. As of 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and since then has undergone major renovations to preserve its highly unusual exterior ornamentation recognized for it extensive use of architectural sculpture exhibiting the classic Art Deco style and inscriptions. Interior
In the lobby, examples of wood molding, decorated gold painted scrollwork and bas-relief brass plaques depict scenes from ancient mythology and modern industry. The side walls are covered with quotes of great leaders (Mahatma Ghandi, Aristotle, etc) and a decorative Directory that hangs on the left. Following the steel-supported staircase up the stairs is the auditorium. Originally, theatre seats were mauve and the interior walls were a combination of mahogany and mauve blocks. Over time, due to repairs and renovations in the early 80’s, a gold leaf frieze decorates the wall and each frieze sits next to brass reliefs of educators. green glazed walls surround the lower half of the auditorium that meet at the wood-floored, blue-curtained stage. Three symmetrical blocked lighting fixtures are posted in the middle of the auditorium, providing low exposure perfect for performances. The cafeteria is located in the basement, directly below the auditorium. The building was named “modern” due to its technological equipment including indirect lighting, sound and video equipment, Venetian blinds, a small hospital room (nursery), kitchen and steel lockers. Help Save Shea!
It is obvious that the state of Rhode Island has placed value on the presence and product of Charles E. Shea High School. Investments in the building’s structure, function and style are proof that integrity in art and form was recognized and implemented by architect O’Malley. Fusing elaborate gold reliefs and the sturdiness of steel, stone or brass with quotes of iconic philosophers and academic icons mirrors the scholastic relationship in structuring the youthful, energetic brain for the many beauties, downfalls and lessons of the “adult world”. As a member of the National Register for Historic Places, Charles E. Shea High School continues to offer extensive course and extra-curricular activities for students, while keeping them actively engaged with the community in 5k runs, Rice Bowls and fundraisers. Preserving a building of this kind does more than stir an appreciation for its aesthetic value: it emphasizes the purpose of the building and directly speaks to keeping art and humanity alive. Students at Shea have the unique privilege to grow and develop an identity in a world dedicated to their success and the environment that affects it. Creating and maintaining an environment that does so creates a connection between the current day student and the timeless values they learn from their very own school in relation to the community and the world beyond. |
Shea Senior HS : 485 East Ave Providence, RI 02904
Exterior
Shea HS is a three story, steel framed, flat roofed structure with cast stone staircases that lead from the building to East Avenue. With walls of yellow brick, limestone and cast iron, a green glazed tile exterior runs as trimming along the building. Three symmetrical ordered entrances are separated by recessed centers and connected by flights of stairs and terracing tied to an embankment of elaborate retaining walls in a composition of cubes extending the cuboid embellishment (flat blocky staircase). The “cast stone parapeting surfaces” create a setting for 63 inspirational and exhortatory adages such as “When anger arises, think of the consequences” taken from iconic philosophers and writers including Shakespeare, Chaucer and Confucius. Accompanied by these quotations are the five virtues (Determination, Ambition, Effort, Activity and Endurance) and the six vices (Disaster, Insolence, Carelessness, Indifference, Lawlessness and Failure) of man which are inscribed and scattered along the frieze of the entrance and the cornice. O’Malley’s usage of inscriptions and uplifting expressions are based off ancient Roman practices, as seen in The Pantheon and The Arch of Constantine. Repairs and Renovation Over time, weathering and time have caused the building to erode. Its first signs of deterioration occurred during the early 80’s. Crumbling ceilings and cracked cast stones called for repairs in July of 1983. Totaling to $100,000, the repairs included replacing the prominent cast stones and a exterior paint job with green epoxy paint. Those temporary fixes led to major renovations between 1998-2000. During those two years, Shea High School was offered a joint bond with William E. Tolman High School of a little over $700,000 in which it renovated its science labs, theatre, classrooms, ventilation, leaky roof and crumbling walls. These renovations lead to a total makeover, preserving the building’s Art Deco style and structure with likeness to its original presentation. |