“What shall we do with the Fitch School?” That’s a question that has echoed through Waltham. It’s a question about the future of this place where we stand today. This is the former Ezra C. Fitch Elementary School.
For years, the Ezra C. Fitch Elementary School served the children of Waltham. Generations passed through its doors. They learned to read, write, and dream within these walls. But the city built new schools and the students of Fitch moved to the new Stanley Elementary School. The Fitch School on Ash Street closed its doors as a regular elementary school.
After the closure, the building served as a temporary home for other schools undergoing renovation. Once those projects finished, the building became vacant. The city then debated what to do with the property.
Some residents wanted to sell it to a private owner. A proposal even came forward to build a hotel. But the neighbors rejected the idea.
The School Department considered using the building again. They thought about housing a dual language program here. However, significant water damage and the need for expansion made it too expensive.
Mayor Jeannette McCarthy proposed demolishing the school to build housing. This idea was similar to what had been done with the Hardy and Banks schools. But the city didn’t agree with that direction.
Many residents expressed a desire for public green space. The neighborhood lacked space to relax and play. Before the school, this site was Robbins Park. Some hoped to see it return to its natural setting.
Today, the Waltham Recreation Department uses the gymnasium for storage. It supports Healthy Waltham’s food pantry. The gym is in better shape than the rest of the building.
The front of the Ezra C. Fitch Elementary School has Art Deco architecture. This facade is considered historically significant. There were talks about preserving it, even if the rest of the building was demolished.
The city council now has to decide the fate of the former Ezra C. Fitch Elementary School. Will it become housing? Will it become a park? The future is still unwritten.