I rolled my sleeves up and started typing an email. If you don’t try, you have zero chance of getting what you want. But if you do, at least you have a 50% chance of hearing ‘yes.’ The worst outcome is a ‘no.’ I believe they teach this in school—sometimes, taking that first step is the hardest part, but it’s also the most important.

After a few days, I received a reply from Joanne Birch, President of Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts. She wrote, “We’d be pleased to allow you to take some posterity photos.”

I felt both nervous and excited, knowing something would probably go wrong. Sure enough, the day I was scheduled to meet with Ms. Birch, my camera flash jammed. Fortunately, it was just the flash. Despite that small hiccup, I was still able to capture many photos—inside, downstairs, outside, and from the top.

It was another great photo journey through our town’s amazing structures, much like the time I had the opportunity to photograph the Petch Log House last summer. One thing I always keep in mind is that while something may not be preserved physically, it can always be preserved in photos.

We are fortunate that both the Petch Log House and Wells Street Public School are not facing demolition this time.

Like many of us, I was initially skeptical about the fate of the school once it was acquired by the developer. A perfect example of this is the George T. Browning house—there will be no house.

However, after meeting with Ms. Birch, I can’t emphasize enough how confident I am that the Wells Street Public School is in good hands. It’s reassuring to know that her company specializes in converting heritage buildings.

But what I truly admired was her passion for this kind of work. She personally gave me a two-hour grand tour of the school, and thanks to her patience, I was able to capture many fascinating details.

Some of the standout features featured in this post’s pictures include:

• The jade colour scheme that runs throughout the school
• The three-piece doors (two doors with a window on top) to the auditorium, which will be preserved
• Built-in wall units in the teachers’ rooms
• The unique design of the in-classroom coat lockers, with a single mechanism that opens all the doors simultaneously
• Possibly one of the original squeaky staircases and railings leading up to the teacher’s restroom

But that’s not all—at least not in this post. And before school’s out, I should mention that last month, the Wells Street Public School received its heritage designation plaque.

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COMMENTS

Martin Steiger said: July 17, 2012 at 08:34

“Just stumbled across your blog searching for Wells St School… I spent a good part of my school life in this school. I would love the opportunity to walk its halls one last time and take some photos. Your photos will have to do for now I suppose.”

Anna Lozyk Romeo said: July 18, 2012 at 13:45

“Hello Martin thank you for commenting. Re walking school again, not sure if that will be possible. But hey you could go in and see the change when it is done. I know its not going to be the same.”

Martin Steiger said: August 16, 2012 at 13:35

“Yes not the same. I asked them if I could go see it and was told no. But I do see you were ablt to get in recently…at least on the roof.”

Anna Lozyk Romeo said: August 20, 2012 at 21:04

“Martin, sorry to hear, but I guess it would be hard for them especially they really have lot of work to do. Thanks for commenting. These pictures were taken in the spring.”