- City:
- Elmira, NY
- Site Type:
- Education and Health, Schools
- New Deal Agencies:
- Public Works Administration (PWA), Public Works Funding
- Started:
- 1938
- Completed:
- 1939
Description
The historic Elmira [Free] Academy (most recently the Ernie Davis Middle School) was the recipient of a large annex constructed with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds.
“[I]n 1938 an annex was built on the north side of the Academy to make room for the industrial and vocational arts departments. The commercial department was expanded and more rooms were added to the east side of the building. The teachers found themselves competing with bulldozers, hammers and saws, concrete mixers, and derricks, far more attractive to the pupils than their daily school lessons. By the Fall of 1939 the annex was completed.” (Joyce Trice)
The PWA supplied a grant of $395,852 for the annex project, whose total cost was $773,205. Construction occurred between Aug. 1938 and Oct. 1939.
PWA Docket No. NY W1599
Source notes
https://www.joycetice.com/schools/1845ed.htm https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/twin-tiers-roots/2014/07/19/original-elmira-free-academy/12865041/ National Archives: Record Group 135: Public Works Administration; Projects Control Division; Entry 52: Indices to Non-Federal Projects; Report No. 5: Status of All Completed Non-Federal Allotted Projects, page 26.Site originally submitted by Evan Kalish on August 18, 2016.
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