“I will not retreat a single inch and I WILL BE HEARD.” That powerful declaration echoes from the legacy of William Lloyd Garrison. The William Lloyd Garrison School stands here as a testament to his fight against slavery.
The William Lloyd Garrison School is a historic building at 20 Hutchings Street. It is in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood. The school is north of Franklin Park. You will find it between Hutchings and Brookledge Streets, west of Elm Hill Avenue.
Imagine children once filling these halls, their minds open to learning. The William Lloyd Garrison School wasn’t just a place of education. It was a symbol of progress and a tribute to a man who fought for equality.
Built between 1910 and 1929, the William Lloyd Garrison School reflects a period of growth in Boston. The population was rapidly expanding. The school met the increasing demands for education.
The school’s design is noteworthy. Newhall & Blevins, a Boston firm, designed three of the four building phases. Their Colonial Revival style created a unified and impressive structure. The William Lloyd Garrison School features a central courtyard. Passageways connect the different sections. The design was considered state-of-the-art for its time. A book on grade schools even featured it in 1914.
The school expanded over the years. The first section was built in 1910. An extension to the south followed in 1918. The assembly hall was added in 1922. The final enlargement came in 1929. This created the western wing.
The William Lloyd Garrison School served its community for many years. However, times changed. The school district built new, contemporary schools. Older schools like this one were deaccessioned.
Today, the former William Lloyd Garrison School has been converted into residences. It provides homes for people. Despite its new purpose, the building retains its historical significance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Think about William Lloyd Garrison’s words as you stand here. He fought tirelessly for abolition. His spirit lives on in the name of this building. The William Lloyd Garrison School reminds us of the importance of education and the ongoing pursuit of justice.