ASHLAND-Ashland's 130-year-old former junior high school building, which for years also served the town as its high school, has made the list of seven most endangered historic sites in New Hampshire. Last week the N.H. Preservation AlIiance siingled out Ashland, along with six other communities, in urging that preservation measures be taken to save that architectural gem.

The Alliance's Seven to Save program recognizes historic properties in need of immediate attention in preserving the state's manmade past. Other properties similarly noted included Ossipee's Whittier covered bridge, the Ackworth Meetinghouse, Upper Derry Vil- lage Hall, the Burley-DeMeritt Farmstead in Lee, Manchester's Lowell Street School and that city's St. Anne's Church.

Chairman of the Seven to Save Committee, Peter LaBombarde, noted how difficult it was to single out just seven locations when considering how many worthy sites there are statewide. In partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, such sites as the Ashland school can be saved by providing services and professional expertise to towns, historic districts and historical societies. Sometimes funds are made available.

In Ash1and's case it's four story school building; from a hilltop visible from all over town, is a classic example of what is technically known as the Second Empire architectural style. Its massive brick walls are set upon a granite foundation and even the large windows have granite sills.

In the spring of 1877, following increasing criticism over the state of the town's existing schoolhouse, a petition was circulated calling for construction of a new building. With only one dissenting vote $10,000 was "raised and appropriated" to begin such work and the present hilltop location was selected, a prime site worthy of education. The massive brickwork was undertaken by Howzer and Eastman of Fisherville, N.H. and as tonishingly completed by the end of October of that same year. By January the roof and belfry had been installed giving the new school its characteristic appearance and prominence.

But since the budget had been exceeded a special school district meeting had to be called to raise an additional $1,200 to fmish the job. The dedication was held on April 11, 1878 with classes starting four days later. It was a time of great excitement in Ashland as the community expressed pride in its young people through such a building!

The interior has been ,remodeled more than once through the years, most extensively in 1979. So little remains of the original inside. But the outside has remained relatively unchanged making it a prime candidate for historic preservation. For all intents and purposes, the school appears today as it did the year it was completed save demolition of a small addition, which housed the privy toilets.

Sandwich resident and noted architectural historian Bryant Tolles, former head of the N.H. Historical Society, referred to the school as "one of New Hampshire's finest Victorian eclectic public school buildings."