Civic & Education
Three former school buildings are listed on the National Historic Register; two former College buildings and one former elementary school,Westfield Normal School, Westfield Normal Training School, and Prospect Hill School.
The Westfield Municipal Building (NRHP Reference # 78000449) at 59 Court Street was once the home of the Westfield Normal School. Built in 1889 this imposing brick structure was home to the early Westfield State College. Young women from all over the state came to the teacher training facility to intern as school teachers. The Court Street/King Street campus included the present City Hall as well as Dickinson Hall (no longer existent).
The women took classes in the Normal School and practice taught in the affiliated building on Washington Street, the Westfield Normal Training School (NRHP Reference # 83000769). Both buildings were designed by the same architectural firm, Hartwell & Darling and were home to the first teacher training school in Massachusetts. The historical link with the present day Westfield State College is made even stronger as the Washington Street building is now, once again, the property of the Westfield State College. The Westfield State Foundation has plans to include the structure in the New Westfield downtown renewal.
Westfield Normal School
The Westfield Municipal Building (NRHP Reference # 78000449) at 59 Court Street was once the home of the Westfield Normal School. Built in 1889 this imposing brick structure was home to the early Westfield State College. Young women from all over the state came to the teacher training facility to intern as school teachers. The Court Street/King Street campus included the present City Hall as well as Dickinson Hall (no longer existent).