Class picture revisited: Davenport School’s first-grade class of 1974 re-creates 50-year-old portrait in Chesterfield

The Davenport School’s first grade class in 1974. First step, Dan Henshaw; second step, from left, Paul Hewes, David Hewes, Beverly Donovan; third step, Karolyn (Ilnicky) LaFrancis, Cheryl (Hewes) Cranson; fourth step, Raymond Laroche, Scott Coleman, Brian Bernier, Mrs. Larkin. CONTRIBUTED

First step, Dan Henshaw; second step, from left, Paul Hewes, David Hewes, Beverly Donovan; third step, Karolyn (Ilnicky) LaFrancis, Cheryl (Hewes) Cranson; fourth step, Raymond Laroche, Scott Coleman, and Brian Bernier, all sit with a photo of their first grade teacher Anne Larkin on the steps of what was the Davenport School in Chesterfield. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Heather Montgomery, the granddaughter of Anne Larkin, the first grade teacher at the former Davenport School in Chesterfield, looks over a photo with David Hewes, taken in 1974, the last year the school was open. “She was a great teacher,” said Hewes, “She was a great grandmother,” noted Montgomery. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

By JAMES PENTLAND

Staff Writer

Published: 07-04-2024 6:58 PM

Modified: 07-05-2024 9:50 AM

CHESTERFIELD — Marking its 50th anniversary, Davenport School’s first-grade class of 1974 gathered after the town’s July Fourth parade Thursday to re-create a special photo taken on the school steps.

Fire Chief and class member David Hewes said he got the ball rolling after he posted the original photo on Facebook and tagged everyone in it. The lifelong Chesterfield resident said he didn’t realize he had the only copy of the photo, and class members quickly responded. Someone mentioned this was the 50th anniversary of the photo, and with all nine class members still living locally, they decided to do a re-creation.

Hewes said the photo wasn’t a regular class photo but was a special tribute for the teacher, Mrs. Larkin, who was retiring.

“We were her last first grade class,” Hewes said.

He remembers that he had presented his teacher with a teaching award, and she had given the class picture to his mother.

Though Mrs. Larkin is no longer living, Hewes said, her granddaughter has offered a photograph of her for the class to use in her place for the photo re-creation.

The K-6 Davenport School closed in 1997 and the building became the town offices, but it still reads “Davenport School — Chesterfield” above the entrance.

Hewes said he’s not sure what will be done with the photo, but it’s remarkable that the former classmates are so easily able to take part in the re-creation.

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