Campus Transformation: Groundbreaking for Meservey Hall Restoration and O’Connor House are Set

Constant improvement is a consistent theme on the New Hampton School campus, and it will once again be evident with a swirl of activity over the next 18 months. New Hampton School is thrilled to announce the beginning of two construction projects that will transform the physical plant and enhance the student experience for years to come. Construction of the Ralph S. O’Connor ’44 House is set to begin on  February 11 with an official groundbreaking on April 19, while the restoration of historic Meservey Hall will begin on May 25, with an official groundbreaking set for June 1. 

The O'Connor House will be ready for use for the 2013-2014 academic year. Meservey Hall will reopen its doors in the Fall of 2014.

 

According to Head of School Andrew Menke, the Meservey and O’Connor projects continue the progress the School has made in recent years with relation to capital projects and the improvement of living and learning spaces. 

 

“I am really excited to see how these two buildings will help us evolve as a school,” said Menke. “The Meservey restoration prioritizes an improved space for the history department while also providing the necessary learning environment for what has become a signature program here at NHS — our Academic Support Program. A new residential house for students and the accompanying four faculty apartments are essential for creating a healthy living environment and comfortable living spaces that will allow us to attract and retain a world-class faculty.” 

 

Throughout the GO BEYOND Campaign New Hampton has identified academic spaces as a priority. The construction of the Pilalas Center for Math and Science and the Meservey Restoration illustrate the School’s commitment to improving the settings for learning on campus as well as the investment that so many donors have made in the future of the School. 

 

“We continue to receive overwhelming investment from alumni, parents, and friends who recognize what this School can do for generations to come,” Menke said. “These projects would not have come to fruition without the support of our most generous friends.” 

 

O’Connor House is a $3.5 million dollar project that will bring a modern, spacious student residence to the West Village near Rice, Phillips, and Lindsay House. The house will include rooms for 32 students and four faculty apartments.  

 

Meservey Hall, formerly home to the Science department, is currently used for history classes. A $4.5 million project, the building will open its doors to students and faculty and be the new home of the History Department and Academic Support Program. 

 

O’Connor House is a product of a transformative gift of 1.75 million from Ralph S. O’Connor, a Texas businessman who already has shown his support of New Hampton School, including the establishment of the Ralph S. O’Connor ’44 Excellence in Teaching Prize.