School Days 1927-1971
Before becoming the Oxford Community Center, this gracious and simple building was first constructed as the Oxford School from a design by Henry Powell Hopkins.
Junior High and High school moved to Easton. Elementary school remained.
Several Black children, maybe about 7 in the whole school, were in the Oxford Elementary School. Their parents thought they would have a better education than if they went to the all Black school at White Marsh. The Oxford School had 3 teachers for grades 1-6. Mrs. Seymore taught 1st & 2nd grade. The stage was in the school; had music programs and gym in the auditorium. Had a library and also the bookmobile came and they could check out books.
School closed; students who attended Oxford Elementary went to Easton
What next? Demolition? 1972-1980
The building was used by differed county groups and abused
Move started to save the building spearheaded by Mrs. John E. Jackson and
Norm Harrington.
Meeting of Community Center Planning at Fire Hall. Decided to
create a Task Force to examine use of building as a community center . Decided to
survey Oxford area. Distributed questionnaire , which was analyzed by data
processing center — results reported May 1975.
County conveyed its interest in the building (not the underlying land) to the Town of Oxford and the Town agreed to demolish the building within one year. When property restored to a grassy condition by the town, the County would use the property as part of the county Parks and Recreation Program.
1980 budgeted for demolition in l981
1980, Jan 9 Commissioners opened sealed bids for demolition of school; decided
would award bid at Jan 23 meeting.
Save Our School Initiative 1980-1983
Save Oxford School Committee formed late Jan.
Citizens petition to save the school presented to Commissioners by Phil Connor; Commissioners — James Farmer and Fletcher Hanks. Gave the committee one month to formulate plans for using the school— to be presented at Feb. 27, 1980 meeting.
Lease from Talbot County to Town of Oxford , sublessee Oxford Community Center , Inc; signed by James Farmer, president, Commissioners of Oxford and Norman Harrington, Pres. OCC.
Oxford Community Center officially opened; HS band played. Open house. Tenants: Talbot Little
Theatre; a sculptor and a painter.
Improvements and Growth 1982-2012
Goal — to raise $100,000. Robert K. Robson was chair of fundraising.
99 year lease between town and OCC for use for public purposes as a community center.
Recommendation for more improvements.
Center opened; three of the four classrooms were rented to private enterprises.
OCC registered with Maryland as a charitable organization.
Report on rentals: rented classrooms and two offices
Founders Day— dedicated the Sue M. Jackson auditorium (a plaque
accompanied this). Also brass plaque that names the light and sound booth for Mr.
Frank R. Clarke, Jr. . Clarke’s wife accepted the plaque — Clark died on Aug. 19, 1989
Front porch renovation and purchase of inscribed porch tiles— solicitation sent out. [Passano President]
Annual Arbor Day Celebration, “Trees.” This year was in remembrance
of Sue Jackson. Included planting a Memorial Grove in her name.
Feasibility study conducted for rehabilitation; worked with Voith and MacTavish
Architects — handicapped ramp, entrance canopy, marquee signage, window
replacement , LEED certification, geothermal heat and AC, fundraising
In 2012 a campaign was designed to renovate and modernize the 80+ year old building and breathe new life into the treasured community resource.
Once again, the community gathered, rallied, and raised the necessary funds to meet the mission and vision of the 21st century Community Center.
With designs by Philadelphia architect, Cameron Mactavish, OCC was completely renovated in 2012 and awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification. The building has state of the art geothermal HVAC, sound and lighting systems, a large auditorium, a full commercial kitchen, and several classrooms.
Find out more about Mactavish and these renovations HERE