Yarmouth, Maine, April 8, 2008: North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) began renovating historic Russell Hall (141 Main Street, Yarmouth) on April 7, 2008. Although the exterior will remain virtually unchanged, the interior will be completely rebuilt. Once finished, it will have five modern classrooms (for classical and modern languages), a language lab and a large seminar room. The building will meet current ADA standards and will include a modern elevator. The renovations are part of a multi-phased plan for campus enhancement, all of which will be funded through private philanthropy.
NYA's oldest living alumnus, Frank Knight '25, identifies his Russell Hall dorm room window for Headmaster Peter Mertz.
Russell Hall was built in 1841 as an NYA dormitory, with a dining hall and kitchen in the basement. It served as a dormitory until 1976, when a fire in the building changed NYA from a boarding school to a day school overnight. Following the fire, the first two floors of the building were used for small science labs until 2006, when NYA opened a new Science Center. The third floor remained unusable, and the burnt-out dorm rooms have been a source of ghost stories and school legend for years.
NYA Headmaster Peter Mertz explained, "Russell Hall is one of two buildings on campus with the most significant historic nature [the other is Academy Hall, next door]. It is as much a symbol of the Town of Yarmouth as it is of the Academy. Its striking exterior, complete with eight chimneys, will be preserved, and the building will serve the school for many years to come." The renovations, designed by Scott Simons Architects and contracted by The Thaxter Company, both of Portland, Maine, are scheduled to be complete by January 2009.
North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational day school serving students in grades 6 through 12. NYA is dedicated to fostering integrity, character and intellect in young adults.
For more information, please contact:
Kristi Belesca
Director of Community Development and Communications
North Yarmouth Academy
148 Main Street
Yarmouth, ME 04096
207-846-2380 ext. 9327
kbelesca@nya.org