From Preservation Online, the online magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

www.preservationonline.org

Dear Preservation 911,

I'm desperately seeking advice on how to preserve a pre-1900 schoolhouse.

Duggan School, formerly The Bank Street Schoolhouse, was built in 1890 in the Brooklyn section of Waterbury, Conn. In 1916 a gym and swimming pool were added. The school was named for Rev. Duggan, the first pastor of neighboring St. Patrick's Church.

Duggan School was a thriving K-8 school until it was closed in the mid-1970s to pursue "progressive educational goals." After having been used for various civic and neighborhood activities, the building was completely vacated in 1998.

At that time, neighborhood groups sought to save the school. A feasibility study was done, and the building was found to have a strong and formidable superstructure. However, since then efforts for the building's salvation have gone nowhere. The building is now in a distressed state, having falling victim to vandalism and nature.

In addition, in front of the building on school property is a sprawling Constitutional Pin Oak. Planted in 1902, it is one of the few thriving trees of its kind in existence. I am also extremely concerned about its future.

Other preservationists and I strongly believe that it's time to restore this symbol of America's strong educational past to the dignity it deserves. Any and all information you can possibly give me to help me in my dilemma will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Frank C. Perrella, Sr.

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Preservation 911 is a message board open to all readers. While National Trust staff will respond to the extent feasible, this will not be possible in all cases. We encourage other readers involved in state or local preservation to respond with advice or assistance. To contact either a regional office of the National Trust, a statewide or local nonprofit organization, or your state's historic preservation office, click here for a state-by-state list.

The National Trust's regional and field offices bring the programs and tools of the Trust to communities across the country. They offer technical assistance through consultations and field visits and financial help through small grants. They hold educational programs for professional preservationists and work to foster policies that help historic places. They also provide leadership on issues that concern entire regions, such as saving historic schools, fighting sprawl, and revitalizing cities.

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