Orange County NC Website
2 <br />A. Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad <br />patterns of our history; <br />B. Property is associated with the lives of persons significant to our past; <br />C. Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, method of <br />construction or represent the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or <br />represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual <br />distinction; and <br />D. Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. <br />Murphey School is being nominated to the National Register under Criteria A for its association <br />with statewide efforts to improve education, and Criteria C for its distinctive architecture. <br />Named for North Carolina's "Father of Public Education" Archibald D. Murphey, Murphey School <br />was constructed in 1923 as part of the early twentieth century consolidated school movement. <br />Well-preserved, the rectangular one-story brick building features elements of the Classical and <br />Spanish Revival styles. An auditorium was added to the west side of the building in 1936 and <br />fronted with atwo-story classical Doric portico (temple front). The building was designed by <br />Henri Colvin Linthicum, a specialist in school design and partner with his father in the <br />architectural firm of Linthicum and Linthicum. A handful of outbuildings survive on the property <br />dating to the first half of the twentieth century, including a 1923 frame bungalow that served as <br />the teacherage. <br />On May 27, 2009 the Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of the National <br />Register Nomination of Murphey School by a unanimous vote of 5-0. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: None <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board recommend approval of the <br />National Register Nomination of Murphey School based on the findings of the Orange County <br />Historic Preservation Commission, and authorize the Chair to sign paragraph C of the Elected <br />Officials Comment Form (Attachment #3). <br />