Ash Street School, Worcester

The Ash Street School is a notable historic building, embodying the Italianate architectural style. Constructed between 1848 and 1855, it is the city's second oldest surviving school building, representing a significant period of educational expansion in Worcester.

The school is a square, three-story brick structure topped with a low hip roof, characterized by a deep bracketed cornice. Each facade features four bays, divided by piers that extend to corbelling just below the roofline. The building originally had a cupola, although it has since been removed. It was designed with two entrances on the north and south sides, providing separate access for boys and girls.

The school was designed by Elbridge Boyden, a prominent local architect. Boyden's design was part of a broader initiative by the city to enhance its educational infrastructure during a time when the area was densely populated with residential neighborhoods. Despite changes over the years, including the removal of the cupola and the neighborhood's transition to industrial uses, the Ash Street School remains an important architectural and historical landmark.

By the time it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ash Street School was being used as a storehouse. Today, it serves a new purpose as the headquarters of the Greater Worcester Land Trust, a land conservation organization.