Hancock, VT is a small town (population 323) located on Vermont Route 100 in Addison County, on the eastern edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. The two-room Hancock Village School was constructed in 1855 and operated as a school until 2009, when school consolidation measures caused the school to close. Since then the building has served as the town library and the town clerk’s office. The school is a contributing resource to the Hancock Village Historic District, which is listed in the Vermont State Register of Historic Places (VHSSS #0108-1-20). A playground remains on the former school grounds.
Hancock Village School, December 1976 – Vermont State Register of Historic Places.
Former Hancock Village School (now library and town offices), June 2019. The windows have been replaced.
Swings with mountains and blue sky in the background.
View of the jungle gym and the swings.
The school in the background.
A newer, plastic side is in on the left.
The apparatus is reminiscent of the “Muscle Man” equipment from the 1970s.
From the jungle gym: “Quality Industries, Hillsdale, Mich. 200028”
No markings visible on the swings, but likely they date to the same time or earlier as the jungle gym.
Swings.
The jungle gym bears the stamp, “Quality Industries, Hillsdale, Mich., 200028.” Quality Industries began in 1974, and the named changed to Recreation Creations, Inc. (RCI) in 1996. The name changed to Recreation Creations, Inc. in 1996. Without more available information, it is difficult to date this date playground equipment. However, it is reminiscent of similar 1970s playground apparatus, such as the Game Time Muscle Man. The edges appear more rounded than the example linked, possibly indicating the Hancock playground is a later design. If you have a better idea of the manufacture date, let me know. The swings did not have any markings on them.
It’s a shame that the building and the grounds no longer serve as a school, but at least the playground remains; what a picturesque spot for a playground.
Preservation in Pink 