East New Market
Property Reports
40 Academy Street
East New Market High School
The East New Market High School building was erected in 1912. The brick rear section was added in 1938. The structure was used as a school up until 1979 when it was converted for use as a community center for East New Market residents. The town allowed the structure to be converted into Senior Apartments in 2000. Another section was added in the rear at this time. The East New Market High School was built where Union Chapel once stood. Union Chapel was torn down in 1892. The rear part of the school was built on top of the old Union Chapel graveyard. Some of the graves were moved before construction, but many were not. There are many reports of school children digging in the dirt of the basement walls and finding bones and other remains. A gravestone was found in 1928. The school is said to be haunted by the earlier residents of East New Market.
Before the East New Market High School was built, two other schools adjoined this lot. The New Market Academy was the predecessor of East New Market High School. It stood on the lot adjoining to the northwest and is identified as School No. 1 on the 1877 map. A grammar school stood on the lot adjoining to the southeast and is identified as School No. 2 on the 1877 map. Both the Academy and the Grammar school were torn up and sold for lumber before the East New Market High School was built.
1928 - Daily Banner - East New Market Items
A history of this property and school was written for the Daily Banner in 1928 by a teacher and her 9th grade class. The Article is titled History of Our School Grounds.
From the Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form
The old East New Market School stands on the south side of School street at the intersection of Creamery Road on the western fringe of East New Market, Dorchester County, Maryland. The large two-story, nine-bay brick school faces north with the main roof oriented on an east/west axis.
Built in 1912, the eight-course common bond brick school is nine bays across by four bays deep. The large rectangular structure is covered by a slate hip roof, and the base of the roof is trimmed with modillion blocks. Centered on the peak of the hip roof is an octagonal cupola that probably contained the school bell. Attached to the back of the main building is a two-story, flat- roofed brick addition erected during the 1930s.
The two-story, nine-bay north (main) elevation is distinguished by a projecting center entrance pavilion that is topped by a pediment gable. The building rests on a corbeled brick foundation, and subtle brick pilasters distinguish the principal corners. The original 1912 doorway has been obscured by a later brick-walled porch covered by a flat roof. The 1912 date plaque has been relocated on the front wall surface of the porch. The original double-door entrance is set within an arched opening and framed with classical trim. The door is topped by a three-light transom. Lighting the porch from the east and west are four-over-four sash windows topped by segmental arches. Located to each side of the porch are six-over-six sash windows topped by segmental arches. The second floor of the pavilion is defined by a large arched window in the center which is, flanked by six-over-six sash windows. The arched window consists of a pair of small six-over-six sash windows that are topped by an arched top light divided by radiating muntins. The pediment tympanum is pierced by a large lunette window framed by a field of pressed metal sheathing. To each side of the pavilion on both floors are three large-size six-over-six sash windows with segmental arches. The windows throughout the entire front block are fitted with concrete sills. Stretching around the perimeter of the roof is a modillioned cornice with bed and crown moldings. Along with the octagonal cupola, a pair of large metal ventilators mark the hip roof.
The west side of the brick school is four bays across with a tall, exterior brick chimney rising in the center of the wall. To each side of the chimney stack pairs of large six-over-six sash windows light the first and second floors. The southernmost window on the first floor was formerly a door. Cellar window openings pierce the foundation wall.
The east side is defined by four six-over-six sash windows on each floor set within the slightly projecting corner pilasters. The center of the east wall is also marked by a slightly projecting brick column, and protruding through the roof is an interior brick chimney stack finished with a corbeled cap.
The south (rear) elevation is largely covered by the two-story 1930s flat- roofed addition. Each elevation of the addition is marked by an asymmetrical fenestration of large-size twelve-over-twelve and nine-over-nine sash windows that light the various classrooms. The gymnasium at the back of the building has east and south side double-door entrances.
Inside the 1912 section classrooms open off a large central vestibule. The walls, some with curved corners, are fitted with beaded board wainscoting. Classroom doors are framed by plain surrounds with bullseye corner blocks. A glazed door with six glass panels opens into the stair which provides access to the second floor of the front block as well as the rear section. Also, the first floor center passage leads to the gymnasium that includes a full stage in the east end. The second floor of each section is finished in a consistent manner with the first floor. The upper floor classrooms of the front section are entered through five- panel doors with two-light transoms, and the walls are fitted with beaded board wainscoting. The second floor of the addition is divided into classrooms to either side of a center passage. A sky-light helps to illuminate the passage space.
Paul B. Touart. 8/15/97 ADDENDUM
The old East New Market school stands on the south side of School Street at the intersection of Creamery Road on the western fringe of East New Market, Dorchester County, Maryland. The large two-and-a-half story, nine-bay brick school building faces north with the main roof oriented on an east/west axis. Built in 1912, the eight-course common bond brick school is nine bays across by four bays deep. The large rectangular structure is covered by a hip roof sheathed in slate, and the base of the roof is finished with a modillion block cornice of galvanized metal. Centered on the peak of the hip roof is a large octagonal cupola. Extending to the rear of the main building is a two-story, flat-roofed brick addition dating from 1938 and designed by the Salisbury architectural firm of Malone and Williams. The two-and-a-half story, nine-bay north (main) elevation is distinguished by a projecting center entrance pavilion that is topped by a pediment gable. The building rests on a raised foundation defined by a corbeled brick watertable. and subtle brick pilasters distinguish the principal corners. The original round arched entrance opening has been obscured by a later brick-walled portico covered by a flat roof. A date plaque reflecting the 1912 construction has been relocated to the front wall surface of the porch. Lighting the porch from each side are narrow four-over-four sash windows topped with segmental, double rowlock arches. Each window is fitted with a limestone sill. The original 1912 double front doors are set behind the arched entrance opening. The face of each door, trimmed with Colonial Revival details, is partially glazed and partially paneled. Fixed above the double doors is a large three-pane transom. Distinguishing the arched entrance opening are four courses of rowlocks interrupted by a large limestone keystone and limestone impost blocks. Located to each side of the front entrance and piercing the projecting pavilion are large sized six- over-six windows defined by double rowlock arches and limestone sills. Half-round window surrounds frame the double hung sash. Fixed above the front porch is a long plaque identifying the building as the East New Market School. The second floor of the pavilion is defined by a large, round arched window in the center which is flanked by six-over-six sash windows. The center window opening consists of a pair of small six- over-six sash windows that are topped by an arched light distinguished by radiating muntins. The round window arch is laid in a wide, four-course rowlock band of brick. The pavilion is topped by a pediment gable defined by a galvanized modillion block cornice. Centered within the pediment is a large lunette window framed by a field of pressed metal shingles. Flanking the pavilion are rows of large size, six-over-six sash windows defined by double rowlock segmental arches and limestone sills. The basement level is pierced by a series of window openings defined by rusticated stone lintels and sills. Rising from the ridge of the hip roof is a large octagonal cupola with louvered sides and a metal roof. Domed sheet metal ventilators flank the cupola. The west side of the main block is four bays across with a tall. exterior brick chimney rising in the center of the wall. Subtle brick pilasters define the corners of the facade. The chimney, laid in five-course common bond, is secured by heavy metal straps that wrap the square stack and are bolted to the wall. To each side of the chimney stack pairs of large six-over-six sash windows light the first and second floors. The window details remain consistent with the front wall. Cellar window openings defined with rusticated stone lintels and sills pierce the foundation wall. The top of the wall is finished with the galvanized modillion block cornice. The east side is defined by four six-over-six sash windows on each floor set within the slightly projecting corner pilasters. The center of the cast wall is also marked by a slightly projecting brick pilaster, and protruding through the roof is an interior brick chimney stack finished with a corbeled cap. The south (rear) elevation is largely covered by the two-story 1938 flat-roofed brick addition. Not covered by the addition are three large sized six-over-six sash windows on each floor. The galvanized metal cornice is missing from the southwest comer of the building. The 1938 addition was built in four-course common bond with a Flemish bond row in lieu of the header row. The addition was designed in a tee shape with a center passage connecting the 1912 structure to a large gymnasium/auditorium. The roof is nearly flat, and the parapet wall is capped with a concrete coping. The west side of the addition is an uneven elevation. The connecting section of the addition, or leg of the tee plan. is pierced by a double door side entrance of partially glazed doors and a fifteen-light transom. Piercing the wall to the left (north) of the side door is a paired set of six-over-six sash windows that light a first floor bathroom. The double window opening is defined by a flat soldier arch supported on a metal lintel. The second floor is marked by two sets of paired nine-over-nine sash windows. The west side of the gymnasium block features a centered double door entrance framed by a vault shaped brick surround that corbels inward toward the double doors. The partially glazed doors are topped by a large fifteen-pane transom. The door opening is fitted with a granite sill. Piercing the wall to each side are six-over-six sash window openings featuring soldier course arches and concrete sills. The second floor of the gymnasium wing is defined by a series of window openings. Centered in the wall is a tripartite group of twelve-over-twelve sash windows framed by soldier course arches and concrete sills. Flanking the tripartite window are pairs of individual nine-over-nine sash windows featuring soldier course arches and concrete sills. Metal downspouts are fixed on each comer of the west wall. The south (rear) wall of the gymnasium block is an uneven wall surface with a projecting section marked by an asymmetrical fenestration. Fixed in the southeast corner is a double-door rear entrance that is topped by a row of soldier bricks supported on a metal lintel. The partially glazed double doors are topped by a ten-pane transom. Piercing southwest corner is a six-over-six sash window fitted with a soldier course arch and a concrete window sill. Another six-over-six sash window is located between floors in order to light the stairwell. Lighting the second floor are tall nine-over-nine sash windows. Piercing the gymnasium wall to the left (west) are large sized twelve-over- twelve sash windows topped by eight-pane windows overhead. The east side of the gymnasium/auditorium wing is extended by a single story section that houses the back recesses of a stage, which is incorporated in the east end of the gym. A six-over-six sash window pierces the south wall of this section, and a secondary service entrance pierces the north wall. Lighting the second floor of the gymnasium wing above the single-story section is a bank of five twelve-over-twelve sash windows. The interiors of the 1912 and 1938 sections have been left essentially unaltered other than the modifications made when the addition was attached. The interiors are in the process of being gutted. The first floor of the 1912 school follows a center hall plan with large classrooms located to each side. The hall floor rises on a slight incline. The hall walls, two of which have curved corners, are fitted with beaded board wainscoting. Five-panel doors are framed by bulls-eve block surrounds. Rising on the west wall of the center passage is an enclosed staircase which is accessed through a partially glazed door. The hall also passes through the back of the main block providing access to the rear 1938 addition. Large classrooms are located to each side of the center hall. All of the classrooms are similarly finished with beaded board wainscoting that extends around the perimeter of each room. Blackboards are fixed to an inner wall, and a cloak and storage room is located against the inner hall partition. Early twentieth-century globe chandeliers remain in several rooms. The second floor has a large center hall which provides access to several classrooms and office spaces. Five-panel doors topped by two-pane transoms open into each room. On the east side of the hall is a large double classroom that extends the full depth of the 1912 structure. Fixed in the center of the space was a sliding door partition that served as a divider when two classrooms were required. Beaded board wainscoting trims the perimeter of the space, and blackboards are fixed to the interior wall. The ceiling has been gutted of its plaster finish. On the west side of the hall are two equal sized classrooms finished with beaded board wainscoting and blackboards as well. Fixed between the east and west classroom spaces is an office, which is lighted by the round arched, second floor, pavilion window. Throughout the space the five-panel doors are framed by bulls-eye block surrounds. The interior of the 1938 addition is arranged around a center hall plan as well. The first floor hall is an extension of the center hall that passes through the 1912 building, although a set of steps provides a transition from the raised first floor elevation of the front block to the near grade level of the first floor in the rear addition. The center hall leads to a short cross hall that leads to the double-door entrance on the west side. Located on each side of the hall are bathrooms. A small kitchen and preparation space is located at the east end of the cross hall. Fixed at the end of the center hall is a pair of partially glazed double doors topped by a multi-pane transom. The double doors open into the gymnasium, which also served as an auditorium. A stage is built into its east end. There are side prop rooms and staircases that accompany the stage area. Bare brick walls finish the interior of the gymnasium. Located in the southeast corner of the gym is a pair of partially glazed double doors which open into a rear entrance that provides access to the outside doors as well as a rear staircase rising to the second floor classrooms of the 1938 building. The interior of the staircase is finished with beaded board wainscoting that rises to a chair rail height. The second floor of the 1938 addition is divided by a center passage that leads from the 1912 building though the depth of the structure. Beaded board wainscoting trims the hall walls, and plain surrounds frame shallow raised panel doors. Large classrooms along with boys' and girls' bathrooms flank the hall.
8. Significance
Specific dates 1912 Builder/Architect probably J. Benjamin Brown (1912) Malone & Williams (1938 addition) The old East New Market School stands on the western edge of the historic district and remains as a fine example of early twentieth-century school architecture. The 1912 structure is distinguished by a two-and-a-half story nine- bay elevation with a projecting three-bay center pavilion. A modillion cornice, a slate covering, and an octagonal cupola distinguish the school roof. Inside, the building is finished with fine materials of the period including beaded board wainscoting and bulls-eye corner block surrounds. Not only does the building reflect fine construction standards of its day, but it represents an important shift in county education from small frame school buildings to large centralized facilities that provided more rounded and competitive instruction curriculums. In addition, the building serves as an significant structural and historical anchor for the west end of the East New Market historic district.
Paul B. Touart, 8/15/97 ADDENDUM
The old East New Market School stands on the western edge of the East New Market historic district. and it remains as a fine example of early twentieth-century school architecture. The 1912 structure is distinguished by a two-and-a-half story, nine-bay front elevation with a projecting three-bay center pavilion. Distinguishing the exterior openings are round or segmental arches executed in double and quadruple rowlock bands. The windows sills are limestone. A modillion block cornice, executed in galvanized metal, trims the perimeter of the slate-covered hip roof. Rising from the roof ridge is an octagonal cupola. The interior of the 1912 structure is fitted with standard, but well executed finishes of the day including beaded board wainscoting and bulls-eye block door and window surrounds. The 1938 rear tee-shaped addition, designed by the Salisbury architectural firm of Malone and Williams, is more utilitarian in nature with its severe common bond brick walls that rise to a concrete parapet. Minimal stylistic references for the 1930s are reflected in the vault-shaped double door entrances that mark the west elevation. Not only does this building reflect fine construction practices of the early twentieth century, but it represents an important shift in county education standards from small frame school buildings scattered across the county to large, more centralized facilities that provided more rounded and competitive school curriculums. Physically, the school building serves as a significant visual and historical anchor for the west end of East New Market. Although it is unattributed, the design of the 1912 school was probably executed by J. Benjamin Brown, a local Cambridge architect. The Academy School in Cambridge (D-341), designed by Brown and built in 1903, provides a clear precedent for the East New Market School erected nine years later. The old Vienna High School (D-163), now demolished, was a third building designed along the same format in Dorchester County. The three buildings share the same nine-bay by four-bay form along with a projecting pavilion, a hip roof, and a round arched entrance. Even though the 1938 addition designed by Malone and Williams more than doubled the floor space of the East New Market school, the severe, flat-roofed design is very utilitarian in nature and not particularly compatible with the Colonial Revival character of the 1912 structure.
HISTORY AND SUPPORT
The village of East New Market emerged during the last quarter of the eighteenth century as a crossroads community serving central and eastern Dorchester County. Friendship Hall (D-2), dating around 1785-90, is viewed as one of the oldest and most significant dwellings in the immediate vicinity of the town. The crossroads village experienced significant growth between 1790 and 1820, evidenced by the construction of several prominent dwellings along its two streets. The House of the Hinges (D-1), a well detailed two-story brick dwelling fitted with intricate Federal woodwork, stands near the center of the crossroads. Buckland (D-8), a two-story five-bay house, is a superior center hall dwelling of frame construction that boasts an elaborate plaster ceilings. These substantial houses were built by a notable group of Dorchester families who evidently viewed education as an important element of community life. During this period of prosperous construction, an academy was established in the village, incorporated in 1818 or 1819.1 Not much is known about East New Market Academy in its early years. Like many private schools of its time, it served the wealthiest families in the area with enrollment largely male. The size, shape and construction of the first building has not been established, but it was more than likely a modest sized frame structure. In any event, it was in need of replacement by the mid 1850s. A letter written from the President of the Board of School Commissioners, Kendal M. Jacobs, is dated January 21, 1857, and relates,
"It has occur'd to me since our adjournment on Saturday last, that the "Building Committee” selected & appointed by us, for the new school house intended to be erected in or near New Market, had not placed before them sufficient or reliable data in order to act understandably. During the late N. E. Snow-storm I have had necessarily to be much within doors, and have prepar'd the following statement for their information. Of course the idea has, or will suggest itself, that the amount of funds will have more or less to do with the selection of "a lot or site" to say nothing of the kind of house, cost etc. etc. to be built."
The letter goes on to give an accounting of the funds currently available to be placed as a credit towards the new school building. Although the new school was built shortly afterwards, little is known of its actual appearance. In 1865 the East New Market Academy was consolidated into the county school system. In the wake of the county-wide school consolidation, a survey was made of the property, which identified it as "a piece of land on which the New Academy Building of E. N. Market stands." The Lake, Griffing, and Stevenson atlas, published in 1877, identifies it as "School No. 1."4 It was one of three school buildings that stood in East New Market at the time. Fifteen years later, in February 1892, the Board of County School Commissioners acquired additional land for the East New Market school from Samuel L. Webster. On the plat of survey, prepared by James M. Robertson. he delineated the newly purchased three-acre parcel as well as the existing school property, on which he drew a tee-shaped school building.5
The mid nineteenth century building remained in use until 1912 when the two-and- a-half story brick school was erected. Extremely well-built for the time, the nine-bay by four-bay structure was probably designed by J. Benjamin Brown, an architect who resided in Cambridge and was responsible was the designs of many public and commercial structures as well a handful of Victorian residences in the county seat. The East New Market school is very similar in form, construction, and detailing, to the Academy School in Cambridge, built in 1903, and the Vienna High School erected during the early twentieth century as well.6
The size, construction, and finish of the East New Market, Vienna, and Academy schools signaled a new era for education in Dorchester County. The more typical structure of the preceding century was a 24' by 30' frame building, not unlike the one specified for the white students residing in the Dorchester County community of Salem.7 Reflected in the specifications list of the Salem schoolhouse is a rectangular weatherboarded structure supported on a pier foundation with a steeply pitched gable roof of No. 1 heart-pine shingles. The interior was lighted by four six-over-six sash windows flanked by "Venetian" shutters. Finishing the perimeter of the room was a beaded board wainscoting and a three-inch map strip nailed sixteen inches below the plastered ceilings. Two hat strips were also called for, one 4 1/2 feet and another 6 feet from the floor. Blackboards were installed across the back and sides of the rear wall to the edge of the nearest windows. In 1882, the building and its materials cost $559.8 In contrast to the typical one-room school erected for white residents in Salem are the mansion-sized structures erected in Cambridge, Vienna, and East New Market during the early years of the following century. Faced with an increasing enrollments due to an expanding population at the turn of the century, school board officials were easily convinced of the need for new and larger school buildings. Dorchester's white population had steadily increased from 11,815 in 1870 to 17,631 by the turn of the twentieth century.9 Ten years later, the white population had jumped another five hundred residents.10 Although Dorchester County had a significant black population as well, the county school system had been segregated since the Civil War and it remained so until the 1960s. The population of Dorchester County started to taper off by 1930, but even so it was the second highest on the Eastern Shore, just behind Wicomico County.11 The next major period of school construction in Dorchester County occurred between the late 1920s and 1930s, which included building the impressive neoclassical Cambridge High School in 1928 (D-641) as well as the 1938 addition to the East New Market School. The East New Market School was accredited as a high school in 1920 and it housed grades one through twelve until 1952 when North Dorchester High was opened.12 At that time, the East New Market school served the elementary grades from first through sixth. Nine years later, in 1961, the building was employed briefly as an intermediate school for grades four through six, and then converted back the next year to a full elementary school for kindergarten through sixth. The East New Market school served as an elementary facility until 1979 when the building was returned to the county. Following its use as a school, the structure was used as a community center for the residents of East New Market.