We are familiar with the memorable Alvirne School session held at the Alvirne Summer House and the Alvirne Farm from May to August of 1948.  This summer session was aimed at showing the feasibility of a school in Hudson as proposed by the will of Dr. Alfred K. Hills.  When the summer school ended, the court findings relative to the trust funds left by Dr. Hills and Mary Creutzborg were still under litigation.    This litigation continued until spring of 1949; at which time Hudson proceeded with the design and construction of the Alvirne building which was opened as a junior-senior high school in September 1950.

As the result of documentation provided to us from the family of Richard and Ruth Clark, plus some research into Hudson School Reports and the Nashua Telegraph, we find that classes at Alvirne School did not end with the summer session.  A class in agriculture was held at Alvirne School under the direction and leadership of Herbert Canfield, Superintendent, and Ralph Linton, Principal of the Junior High School.  Here is that story.

Richard Clark of Manchester, a UNH senior studying agriculture education under the GI bill, was engaged by the Hudson School District to teach agriculture at Alvirne School.  The second floor of the Lyons House (now the Alvirne farmhouse) was remodeled to provide an apartment for him, his wife Ruth (Preston) and young son Richard, Jr.  They moved to Hudson sometime after September 16, 1948.  The fall term began October 4, 1948.  Standards for work in agriculture, home economics, and industry were set up by the school district.  Morning and afternoon sessions were set up for the 16 students enrolled.  Based upon the class record kept by Mr. Clark these students were:

W. Boulanger (Wesley)

W. Boucher (Wildred)

G. Dearborn (Gregory)

J. Forrence (John)

E. Grohosky (Edward)

R, Hovling (Ronald)

J. MacCann (John)

R. Mondoux (Raymond)

N. Moreau (Norman)

T. Pierce (Theodore)

L. Rowell (Louis)

M. Ruiter (Miles)

G. St Laurent (Gerard)

C. Stultz (Clifton)

J. Warren (John)

P. Warren  (Paul)  

Richard was assigned a carriage shed adjacent to the barn as his school room and headquarters.  Students were bused to Alvirne by Mr. Oliver.  Mr Clark along with his students converted this utility shed into a classroom.  It was commented that his students called him the principal, teacher, and janitor of Alvirne School. 

 By January 1949 Richard Clark and the vocational agriculture students became more visible to the town of Hudson and the organizations within the town.  On January 17 there was an informal gathering at the Hudson Junior High school of parents and friends with Richard Clark, teacher of agriculture at Alvirne School presiding.  He introduced Earl Little of the State Department of Education who spoke on vocational agriculture in NH.  Superintendent Canfield spoke briefly on the type of school being established in Hudson.

    This same month 16 of the Voc Ag students enjoyed a field trip to Concord visiting the barns of the NH Breeding Association and the mill of the Merrimack Farmers Exchange where grain is ground and mixed for feed.  They were accompanied by Mr. Canfield, Mr. Clark, and Edward S. Lyon of the Hills Estate.

     In February 13 students competed in a speaking contest held at Wattannick Grange; the first held in connection with the FFA program.  Prizes were awarded and the local winner would compete at the state level.  First place was awarded to John Warren, age 14, whose topic was “Jersey Cattle”.  Second place went to Norman Moreau, age 15, whose topic was “Dairy Farming”.  Third place went to Clifton Stultz, age 17, on the topic of “Part Time Farming”.  John Warren later competed at the state level and was awarded first place.  Prizes for this contest were provided in silver dollars by the Hudson Lions Club.

     Later in February and into the spring, Richard Clark was a speaker at both Hudson and Wattannick Granges in Hudson as well as the Pomona Grange; his topic was “The Vocational Agricultural course of the Alvirne School. 

  The Clarks remained in Hudson until his graduation from UNH.  They celebrated the birth of their second son, John, on May 21, 1949. 

     This snipit of history is significant as it shows that classes at Alvirne did not end with summer school.  They continued through to June 1949 with Mr. Clark.  By September 1949 George Frizzell was teaching agriculture at Alvirne School.  The Alvirne building was completed and dedicated September 1950 as a Junior/Senior High School with a Vocational Agriculture program.  The farm and buildings of the Hills estate were a part of this school.

After graduation from UNH Richard secured a position with Grafton County 4-H program.  He later returned to his family farm in Goffstown.    This farm in Goffstown have since merged and currently being revitalized by later generations of the Clark family under the name of ClarkRidge Farm. 

Research and written by Ruth Parker from the following documentation which was graciously provided by the family of Richard Clark.

1.  A written narrative of Richard Clark’s time in Hudson as told to and written by his wife Ruth (Preston) Clark

2.  Several photos showing Alvirne farm sigh, the utility building, students, school bus and driver.

3.  Picture of baby John Clark born Hudson May 20, 1949) and his mother Ruth

4.  A resume of Richard dated  showing his prior work at Alvirne School.

5.  Voucher showing a refund on rent for September 1948 when the Clarks moved to Hudson.

6.  1948 calendar for Oct-Dec showing the beginning of the school year and indications of his teaching plans.

7.  Class records showing those students enrolled

8.  Miscellaneous notes including correspondence with Supt. Canfield and Principal Linton.

9.  Some original papers and test results from his students.