PA | Topics | Report of Longfellow Salvage Committee

Report of Salvage Committe
To Owensboro Board of Education

March 25, 2008

Jane Haase, Chair

At the end of the 2007 school year, Dr. Larry Vick appointed a Salvage Committee to review artifacts at Longfellow School and recommend possible materials that should be preserved prior to demolition of the facility.

This committee (Chair, Jane Haase, Janet Suwanski, Bill Wilson, and Gary Adams, representing Preservation Alliance.) met on March 4 with Allen Howard, toured the entire building, inside and out, and decided that several items were of historic significance and would like to recommend that these artifacts be included in the renovation of Owensboro High School, Central Office or stored for use in future academic building projects.

All committee members agreed that most worthy of salvage were the following items:

1. Dedication plaque and cornerstone
2. Individual ceramic tiles located behind water fountains throughout the building.
3. Front entrance upper window with architectural detail

We all agreed that the front posts were items to retain but committee member, Janet Suwanski, reported that the original owners of the stone posts (the Robinson family) had requested that the posts be returned if possible to their family for sentimental reasons.

Gary Adams, PA, took pictures of the various elements and has included these as well as an assessment in his very thorough report which I have attached.

Other items we felt might be valuable to antique salvagers and/or former students of Longfellow if we could determine the best way to remove these and price them for sale.

1. Bricks – There were a couple of ideas of how to use the bricks (if they survive the demolition). Perhaps as part of a walkway in the new arts area of the high school, maybe as an inside walkway in certain areas, or, lastly to clean and sell these with commemorative plaques attached signifying their history with Longfellow School . We will need to speak with a brick mason about the feasibility of this suggestion and determine how we would clean the bricks and prepare them to be used in this manner. If possible, maybe we could utilize volunteers to do this labor?

2. Brass door stops – there are a few which are still in viable condition.

3. School bell system

4. Wrought iron railing in second floor stairway.

5. Copper guttering and scuppers – if these can’t be used in the new building, they would bring a good price at salvage.

6. Gym flooring – not sure if it is in good shape, maybe termites, but small pieces of this could be used as sentimental sale items also.

7. Two original wood doors in auditorium/gym

8. Urinals in boys bathroom in lower level

9. Low children’s long sinks outside original lunchroom, perhaps soap holder.

10. Copper-lined window boxes

11. Hall ceiling light fixtures

12. Fireplace mantel (possibly)

13. All large double paned windows – if these can be saved, they would be beautiful in either our high school renovation or saved to be used in a future elementary school design.

In bidding the demolition of the building we would like for the board to consider two contracts: one for the salvage of historic and useable articles and a separate contract for the actual destruction of the building itself. None of us are experts in this field, but we feel there are persons skilled in the art of removing artifacts without damage and we should utilize them where possible to save items …. especially the first three items mentioned in this report.

The committee would like to schedule a walk through with our architects the next time they are in town to see the items we most strongly feel should be a part of the décor of the new high school addition. We also would like for OHS art teacher, Rex Robinson, to be included in this walk through to brainstorm with architects and our committee about the artistic possibilities of some of the aforementioned items.

Report to Longfellow Salvage Committee

Gary A. Adams, AICP, 2008-03-25

Historical Background: Longfellow Elementary School was designed by architect William Butts Ittner, FAIA, of St. Louis , who was famous for numerous schools in St. Louis and others in nearly 25 states across America . Erected in 1931, Longfellow’s architectural style is Colonial Revival, sometimes called Georgian Revival, and it has served as an educational facility since its erection. It was occupied at the beginning of the second semester, January 25, 1932. More Longfellow history is available at www.paupdate.org/topics/index.htm#Longfellow.

Demolition Decision: The Owensboro Public Schools (OPS) board voted at its meeting held on July 26, 2007, to approve the Schematic Drawings for the $22 million Owensboro High School expansion project, which will include demolition of Longfellow School sometime in the spring or summer of 2008. The architects say that renovation of the 77-year-old school would cost at least $3 million and still would not satisfy program space needs specified by the OHS expansion planning committee. After demolition, "Longfellow Hill" can be cut down, providing space for a unified parking area for 500 cars. The parking lot will lie behind the new arena-type gymnasium, which will attach to the north wall of the current cafeteria.

Objectives That Demolition Will Accommodate: According to Owensboro Pubic School officials, major safety and security objectives will be satisfied by keeping the high school facilities connected internally and having all parking located within the same block; all student drop-off and pick-up for both parents and school buses will be internal to the block, avoiding dangers for pedestrians from the large volume of vehicular traffic on Frederica Street. The architectural style of the exterior of the new two-story gymnasium and other building additions is anticipated to emulate the neoclassical style of the original high school (main building).

Salvage Committee Formed: At the recommendation of Preservation Alliance of Owensboro-Daviess County, Inc. (PA), the OPS board formed a salvage committee to review artifacts that may be removed from the building prior to its demolition. On March 4, 2008, the Longfellow Salvage Committee toured the building, looking for items of interest. On the tour were Jane Haase (Chair), Allen Howard, Janet Suwanski and Bill Wilson with OPS, and Gary A. Adams, AICP, representing PA.

Preservation Assessment: This report includes my assessment, as to what items should or may be salvaged from Longfellow prior to its demolition. I also include my assessment of how each item rates on four criteria: preservation worthiness, possible sentimental value to persons who attended the school, future utility, and how retrievable it may be:

Stars	Preservation	Sentimental	Utility	Retrievable
* * * * *	From HIGHLY recommended for preservation down to NOT significant	From GREAT sentimental value down to LITTLE or NO sentimental value	From VERY useful in future down to NO utility likely to be found	From VERY EASY to retrieve down to VERY DIFFICULT to retrieve
* * * *
* * *
* *
*

Assessed Items: The table below lists assessed items and my ratings by criteria. Photographs and commentary for each item make up the remainder of this report. – Gary A. Adams, AICP, Secretary-Treasurer, Preservation Alliance of Owensboro-Daviess County, Inc.

No.	Item	Material	Preservation	Sentimental	Utility	Retrievable
1	Dedication Plaque	Bronze	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * * *
2	Cornerstone	Limestone	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * * *
3	Gate Posts	Limestone	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * * *
4	Tile Airplane	Ceramic Tile	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *
4	Tile Boy	Ceramic Tile	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *
4	Tile Girl	Ceramic Tile	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *
4	Tile Rabbit	Ceramic Tile	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *
4	Tile Ship	Ceramic Tile	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *
4	Tile Unknown	Ceramic Tile	* * * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *
5	Entrance Architrave, Spandrel Panel, Scrolls & Lintel	Limestone, wood framing	* * * * *	* * * *	* * *	* * *
6	Copper Guttering	Copper	* * * *	*	* * * * *	* * * * *
7	Keystones	Limestone	* * *	*	* * * * *	* * *
8	Sunroom Bay	Wood framing & decoration	* * *	* *	*	* * *
9	Bricks	Fired Clay Brick	* *	* * * *	* *	*
10	Glass Globe Fixtures	Glass with metal base	* *	* *	* * * *	* * * * *
11	Gable Circular Windows	Wood with glass planes	* *	*	* *	* * * * *
12	Handrail, Metal	Painted Steel?	* *	* *	* * * * *	* * * * *
13	Handrail, Oak	Oak	* *	* * *	* * * *	* * * * *
14	Wash Basins	Porcelain on iron	* *	* * *	* * * *	* * * * *
15	Soap Dish	Brass	* *	* * *	* *	* * * * *
16	Urinals	Porcelain	* *	* * *	* *	* * * *
17	Stage Floor	Oak with metal grills	* *	* * *	* *	*
18	Fireplace Mantel	Oak	* *	* * *	* * * * *	* * * * *
19	Door Stop	Brass	*	* *	*	* *
20	Utility Sink	Porcelain, steel	*	*	* * * *	* * * * *
21	Window Boxes	Copper-lined wood, metal brackets	*	* *	* *	* * * *
22	Hooks	Steel?	*	* *	*	* * * * *
23	Windows	Vinyl composite (replacement)	*	*	* * * * *	* * * *


		1. Dedication Plaque Preservation: * * * * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * * * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: 1^st floor entrance hall Material: Bronze Comments: Should be preserved in OHS expansion; includes names and dates associated with Longfellow’s erection in 1931.

		2. Cornerstone Preservation: * * * * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * * * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Base of rightmost pilaster under front entrance gable Material: Limestone Comments: Should be preserved in OHS expansion; includes the erection date (1931) and the signature of the architect, Wm. B. Ittner (William Butts Ittner); may conceal a time capsule with items from 1931.

		3. Gate Posts Preservation: * * * * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * * * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Framing the sidewalk in front of Longfellow School Material: Limestone Comments: Should be preserved in OHS expansion; were preserved/ relocated when school bus lane was installed; “Robinson” name engraved on right post above “U.S. Mail” slot; Longfellow was erected on property purchased from Z. T. Robinson.

		4. Tiles behind drinking fountains Preservation: * * * * * Utility: * * * * Sentimental: * * * * * Retrievable: * * * Location: On walls behind six (6) drinking fountains Material: Glazed ceramic tile Comments: Should be preserved in OHS expansion; illustrative tiles at center of array display an artistic style common in children's publications in the early decades of the 20th century; every person who attended the school would have recollections of these tiles.



		5. Entrance Architrave, Transom Window, Spandrel Panel, Scrolls & Lintel Preservation: * * * * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * * * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Main entrance facing Frederica St Material: Limestone (architrave framing entrance, spandrel panel w/ engraved “Longfellow Elementary School”, scrolls at each side of panel, & lintel of 2^nd story window); Wood (door & transom window framing) Comments: This entire assemblage (minus the modern doors) could be a powerful memorial gateway into the OHS expansion.

		6. Copper Guttering Preservation: * * * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Along exterior eave fascia & down walls Material: Copper Comments: Valuable material for recycling; ornamental downspout scuppers & fluted pipes may be incorporated into Longfellow memorial as part of OHS expansion.

		7. Keystones Preservation: * * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * Retrievable: * * * Location: Above the two 1^st floor windows flanking the main entrance Material: Limestone Comments: May be retrieved and used in Longfellow memorial.

		8. Sunroom Bay Preservation: * * * Utility: * Sentimental: * * Retrievable: * * * Location: 1^st floor front near south end of facade Material: Wood framing & decoration, with installed double-hung replacement windows Comments: Unique architectural feature of Longfellow could be an interesting element of a more elaborate rear entrance at OHS expansion, but could be difficult to disassemble/reassemble.

		9. Bricks Preservation: * * Utility: * * Sentimental: * * * * Retrievable: * Location: Throughout exterior of building Material: Fired clay brick Comments: Individuals who attended the school have expressed interest in salvaging some of the bricks; concept includes etching names into them for sale and they would be used to form a walkway into the new OHS rear entrance to the arts department; clean bricks may be difficult to retrieve; if etched, bricks may not maintain integrity over the long term, making them less suitable for outdoor walkways.

		10. Glass Globe Fixtures Preservation: * * Utility: * * * * Sentimental: * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: In interior hallways, etc. Material: Glass with metal base Comments: Easily retrieved; may be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals for use on porches, etc.

		11. Gable Circular Windows Preservation: * * Utility: * * Sentimental: * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Roof gables Material: Wood with glass panes Comments: Easily retrieved; may be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals; more-elaborate front gable window may be used as element in the Longfellow memorial at OHS expansion.

		12. Handrail, Metal Preservation: * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: 2^nd floor, overlooking stairwell Material: Painted steel? Comments: Easily retrieved; may be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals; may be used as element in the Longfellow memorial at OHS expansion; other metal handrails on staircases may be of interest to salvage market.

		13. Handrail, Oak Preservation: * * Utility: * * * * Sentimental: * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Left side stage in auditorium/gymnasium Material: Oak Comments: Easily retrieved; may be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals; may be used as element in the Longfellow memorial at OHS expansion.

		14. Wash Basins Preservation: * * Utility: * * * * Sentimental: * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Basement hallway north of gym (1) & outside former cafeteria (2) [pictured] Material: Porcelain on iron Comments: Easily retrieved; may be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals.

		15. Soap Dish Preservation: * * Utility: * * Sentimental: * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: In wash basin outside former cafeteria (2) Material: Brass Comments: Easily retrieved; may be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals.

		16. Urinals Preservation: * * Utility: * * Sentimental: * * * Retrievable: * * * * Location: In boys restroom in basement; may be others Material: Porcelain Comments: May be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals.

		17. Stage floor Preservation: * * Utility: * * Sentimental: * * * Retrievable: * Location: West end of auditorium/gymnasium Material: Oak with metal grills Comments: May be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals; features wheeled pallets on rails for storage under stage floor.

		18. Fireplace Mantel Preservation: * * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: West end of large classroom SE corner of 1st floor Material: Oak Comments: May be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals.

		19. Door Stop Preservation: * Utility: * Sentimental: * * Retrievable: * * Location: Embedded in the floor at various locations in hallways outside of classroom doors Material: Brass Comments: May be of interest to the historic salvage market or to local individuals; features spring-loaded ball catch; door bottoms have been altered, so catch does not function, but raised lip does serve as door stop.

		20. Utility Sink Preservation: * Utility: * * * * Sentimental: * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Service closet in boys restroom in basement; may be others on upper floors Material: Porcelain on cast iron, stainless steel Comments: May be of interest to the salvage market or to local individuals.

		21. Window Boxes Preservation: * Utility: * * Sentimental: * * Retrievable: * * * * Location: Under 1^st floor windows flanking main entrance Material: Copper-lined wood, metal brackets Comments: May be of interest to local individuals.

		22. Hooks Preservation: * Utility: * Sentimental: * * Retrievable: * * * * * Location: Left side stage in auditorium/gymnasium Material: Steel? Comments: May be of interest to local individuals.

		23. Windows Preservation: * Utility: * * * * * Sentimental: * Retrievable: * * * * Location: Throughout building Material: Vinyl composite (replacement) Comments: Valuable windows would be of use in new construction where tall windows are desired; should have significant salvage value, but may be difficult to retrieve; some could be used in OHS expansion if elaborate rear entrance vestibule is designed for access to the art department.