The Hidden Hallways of DHS: A Journey through the past
By Finn B. Radner
May 24, 2023
This Masonic Hall housed the first location of DHS from 1851 to 1854.
Oftentimes, when I discuss the history of Dedham High School, the misconception comes up that DHS was built in the 1800s. The present school building was built in 1959, and much of the present structure is even newer than that. However, what is true is that DHS did exist in the 1800s—just in different buildings.
DHS as an institution was founded in 1851, and it spent its first few years moving between a variety of buildings.
This Town House on Bullard Street housed DHS for one year from 1854 to 1855.
DHS was located in this schoolhouse from 1855 to 1887.
This structure on Bryant Street housed DHS from 1887 to 1915 before conversion to a Junior High School.
The DHS School Building at 70 Whiting Ave prior to its expansion.
In 1915, a new building was constructed at 70 Whiting Ave, at the present location of the DMS sports fields. This building housed DHS from its opening until 1959 when the current building was built across the street.
It was expanded in 1932 to include more classrooms and a new lunch room. Interestingly, blueprints also seem to indicate that the auditorium was increased in size with this renovation. Aerial photos also exist of this school starting in 1938. These include a fascinating aerial photo from 2005 showing this building, the partially constructed middle school adjacent to it, and DHS nearby.
The DHS School Building on 70 Whiting Ave after its expansion.
A floorplan of the 70 Whiting Ave DHS prior to its expansion.
This aerial photo from 1938 shows the DHS School building at 70 Whiting Ave and the notable absence of the current DHS School Building.
This aerial photo is one of the last showing the 70 Whiting Ave DHS, which served as DMS when this photo was taken. The present DMS can be seen under construction adjacent to it.
DHS in 1959
However, the story of the current DHS building begins with World War II. Following the end of this war, soldiers returned home and started families. Like many other towns in America, this resulted in dramatic population growth in Dedham, necessitating a new High School.
In 1959, the current DHS building was constructed, and was much larger in size than the previous building even from its initial construction.
This aerial photo shows DHS after its first renovation.
Only eight years into its life, the building already needed its first renovation. This resulted in the addition of the B-Wing, the upper floor of the D-Wing, the Back Gym, and the two bridges we know today at DHS. Notably, the Hallway outside of the art rooms was also added during this renovation, and it is clear that the windows facing into the art rooms within this hallway were likely once exterior windows. Additionally, an overhang can be noted in the D-Wing where the second story was added.
The ceiling gap and general structure of this hallway helps confirm that it was added later.
Another photo showing this ceiling gap.
The Overhang in the D-Wing can be seen in this Photo
Construction photos from this addition can be found in the 1967 DHS Yearbook, providing insight into what life at DHS was like during this process. Intriguingly, it appears that the upper level of the D-Wing was built starting away from the school and extending towards the school, as opposed to going outwards as I would have expected. Photos of the bridge between the E-Wing and gyms can also be seen, as well as a brief glimpse of the bridge that once connected the C-Wing and E-Wing, before the D-Wing was built between them.
Construction Photos showing the 1967 expansion of DHS.
This aerial photo of DHS shows the pool bridge.
According to the DHS Website, the student population peaked in 1972 at over 2100 students. In 1976, the school was renovated again, adding the D-Wing and pool. The cafeteria was moved to the D-Wing and the old cafeteria (which is now the town maintenance department) was transformed into an auto shop. Additionally, the library was moved to its present location and the old library (which is now the adjustment counselor’s suite) was turned into an audio-visual suite.
Other than the demolition of the pool bridge, little has changed about DHS since this time. As a result of declining student enrollment over the past 50 years, there has been little need for renovations and upgrades aside from the changes to the library.
However, even 50 years since the last renovation, the complex history of DHS still impacts our lives today. From the strangely laid out halls of DHS to the inexplicable clusters of stairwells throughout the school and the rooms behind doors that are seemingly never opened, many of these oddities about our school can be explained simply by a dive through our school's history. And so, the next time you walk past a locked door or a closed off passageway, take a moment to remember that there is a fascinating story behind each of these hidden hallways.
Meet the Writer!
Finn B. Radner, Class of 2023, is the opinion editor for the Dedham Mirror. He is the President of the DHS Math Team, Editor-in-Chief of ECHO Magazine, and a member of the DHS Science Team.
Many images in this article were provided by the Dedham Museum and Archive.
The following photos were missed in a few previous Hidden Hallways articles but are still of interest, so I have included them below.
Inside one of the DHS elevators.
This patched in wall likely once held a display case or access to the old cafeteria. Its original purpose is unclear.
Part of the pool bridge can be seen in the background of this photo.