1932 New $330,000 School Opened in Morris

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The freeman's journal., Cooperstown, NY February 17, 1932, Page 1

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Newspaper text below

New $300,000 Morris
School Building Opened

Percy W. Gould. Native of Cooperstown,
President of Board of Education

Residents of Cooperstown will take special interest in the beautiful and splendidly equipped new Dr. Lewis Rutherfurd Morris Central school at Morris which was thrown open for inspection on Friday of last week by reason of the fact that the president of the Board of Education of the new district, is Percy W. Gould, son of Mrs. George L. Gould of this village. Much of the planning and supervision for the tne new structure has fallen upon his shoulders and the marked success which has been attained by the enterprise is are one upon which his many friends here will extend hearty congratulations.

Erection at a cost of about $330,000, one half of which was provided by Dr. and Mrs. Lewis R. Morris, with participation on the part of the state for one quarter of the cost of the building, ideal provision is made for 500 students. In every detail the school plant follows the latest developments in education and it is a distinct credit to the district of the finest, if not the finest, buildings of its type in the world.

Dedication in June

In appreciating of the very substantial contrbution which has been made by Dr. and Mrs. Morris it has been determined to hold formal dedication until they have returned to their Morris home late this spring, the date probably being some time during June.

However, the school has been transferred to the new building and classes started there on Monday morning.

Responsible for the splendid new building is the board of education composed Percy W. Gould, president: J. Curtis Foote, Albert Dexter, Dr. H. W. Naylor, and Carl J. Smith, with S.E. Gage as clerk. George E. Preston, district superintendent of schools of Morris has also been of much assistance in the project.

Nearly Million Cabic Feet in Size

The building, work upon which was started May 1st, last, contains nearly a
million cubic feet It is of classic architecture, built with faced red brick vith terra cotta trim. The entrance is graced by large Indiana limestone pillars for a very effective front.

One wing extends 165 feet from the entrance and is 6l feet in width the other
wing is 201 feet long and in its widest section is 103 feet across. Besides this building there is a separate structure 84 by 40 feet in the basement of which is located the heating plant and a wool working shop and on the second floor garage accomodations for a fleet of trucks operated by the district and a machine shop.

Construction Throughly Fireproof

Fireproof constnction was followed throughout the building. The walls and f0lors are of reinforced concrete, while the partitions are of cinder blocks bound with gypsum. Wood is used sparingly, the door cisings and many other units ordinarly of wood being made of metal, finished in careful imitation wood.

The heating system is of the vapor team type, with two Spencer boilers located in the boiler plant. An automatic pump maintains the vacuum, while thermostats in each room maintains the desired temperature there regardless of the heat in other sections of the building.

Ventilation is through deluxe heat-vent units in each room, the rate of the admixture of fresh air being automatically maintained in accordance with state laws.

Hot water for the showers is provided by a large coal heater with a large capacity tank to provide for the heavy periodic drain for showers following classes in the gymnasium.

Thirteen Districts United

Thirteen districts have combined for the central school district, including 391 grade pupils and 82 students in the high school department. With the exception of 114 chuldren in the lower grades who are being accomodated in the former School, these are all attending the centtral school and it is expected that others will change to the new school as soon as possible.

Principal P. A. Etienne, who has been at the school for a number of years. has a faculty composed of three men and eleven women in the central school, while there are eleven teachers for the 114 pupils not yel centralized.

Transportation to the school is provided through three buses, two of 50-passenger capacity and one for twenty passengers.

Special Equipment

Besides the class rooms and offices the building is provided with a large auditorium, modern gymnasium and a cafeteria which seats eighty students The Domestic Science department contains a model living room, model bedroom and model kitchen all completely furnished in the most approved manner and the rear of the building there is a large athletic field for sports and exercise.

The old school which is located in front of the present building will be razed at once and the ground which it has occupied graded and planted in conformity with the plan for the rest of the school property. A concrete approach to the school will run through the center of this plot.

Architects and Contractors

Kinne & Frank of Utica, whose work is particularly well known in Cooperstown, were the architects for the building and their careful supervision has also contributed much to the very satisfactory building The general contractor is H.R. Beebe, Inc, of Utica, who has given much personal attention to the work.

Plumbing was installed by the Straddling Plumbing and Heating company of Utica, while Frank G. Cooke & Sons of Kenmore had the heating and ventilating contract.

Clyde D. Utter of Oneonta executed the electrical work his contract also covering the installation of the radio equipment and the time recording devices, with the intercommunication telephone system. Walter E. Dunbar of Oneonta had the painting contract and it was the cooperation accorded and the work done by these two Oneonta organizations won the hearty commendation of the school board.

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Learn more about Dr. Lewis Rutherfurd Morris by going to the link below.

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