One of the first buildings to be constructed at Avon Old Farms School in Avon was a carpentry shop (other early buildings were the Water Tower and Forge). The carpentry shop was later turned into the school’s Chapel in 1948 and named the Chapel of Jesus the Carpenter. The school buildings were designed by Theodate Pope Riddle, who utilized craftsman from the Cotswolds in England to construct buildings in a traditional English country manner. The carpentry shop is a half-timbered structure of brick nogging resembling similar buildings found in English villages that Theodate Pope Riddle had visited. Originally, students sat in the chapel on seats that faced each other along its length. The Chapel underwent a major renovation in 1999: the roof was restored and a new organ was installed inside. Next to the Chapel is a wooden cross, made in the early 1950s with hand tools using timber grown in the school’s woodland’s. It was placed in its current location when the Chapel was renovated in 2000. A tablet notes that it is dedicated to the memory of Donald W. Pierpont, Provost (Headmaster) from 1947 to 1968.
I am presently reading a book about the sinking of the Lusitania. In it is mentioned much about the passengers including Theodore Pope. Upon researching her I discovered she had founded the old farms school in Connecticut at Avon. I recently visited there and was enchanted by the architecture of the place. It looks like Harry Potter land. I loved exploring the buildings and speaking with some of the students. I had no idea who founded this school and am now much more informed due to this book entitled “Dead Wake” and my little bit of research via my computer.