Agenda - 03-03-2011 - 6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Murphey School was designed by Henri Colvin Linthicum, a specialist in school design and partner with his father in the architectural firm of Linthicum and Linthicum. It was named for North Carolina's "Father of Public Education," Archibald D. Murphey. The Murphey School building complex survives as a remarkably intact example of the classical brick consolidated schools that were constructed throughout rural North Carolina during the 1920s and 1930s. The main building was constructed in two parts. The original classroom wing was constructed in 1923 and a large (almost stand - alone) auditorium was constructed in 1936 along the west side of the original building so that the hallway of the classroom wing leads directly into a side door near the auditorium's stage. The building is particularly remarkable in that the original classroom wing displays elements from the less common Spanish Revival Style, including stylized metal roof shingles designed and painted to imitate terra cotta. The auditorium building is fronted with a classical (temple- front) portico supported by colossal square columns. The original teacherage, a circa 1923 one - and- one -half story frame bungalow, also survives on the site along with the well house and water tower. While the listing of a property in the National Register places no obligation or restriction on a private owner using private resources to maintain or alter the property, designation in a local preservation program includes an element of enforcement in the form of design review. Owners wishing to make changes to their locally designated properties must apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) reviews applications for COAs and determines the appropriateness based on Design Standards for Orange County Local Landmarks and Local Historic Districts. When considering COAs the HPC will look at the applicable design standards and the local landmark application materials, particularly the Statement of Significance (Question #5 of the application). The Statement of Significance should be a very concise statement that explains why the property is important and identifies the key features that contribute to the site's importance. The Statement should speak to the potential for future changes at the site and clearly identify which features cannot be altered without compromising the historic and architectural significance of the site. This section of the local landmark application is the property owner's opportunity to highlight those features that he or she believes contributes the most to the property's significance. These features may be 1) exterior elements of a particular building, 2) key interior spaces such as an entrance hallway with stairway or a parlor and fireplace mantel, or 3) and or an important landscape element such as a heritage tree or meadow area. The Statement of Significance should address all contributing buildings on the property as well as the overall site, and identify where future buildings could be constructed without destroying value of the site. In this section of the form the applicant may also identify interior spaces and interior features that should be retained intact as essential to the value of the complex. The HPC will work with the applicant during the local landmark designation process to refine the Statement of Significance so that it can be used by property owners and HPC members to determine the appropriateness of future proposed changes to the historic site during the COA review process. The application for Local Landmark status includes the same seven -acre site included in National Register Nomination —the two -part school building, the teacherage, well house, water tower, and portions of the stone wall abutting road frontage along Murphy School Road.