Borden Spaces and Places

Lizzie’s Morgan Street School is Safe from the Wrecker’s Ball

morgan.jpg  In a recent conversation with the principal of the Nathaniel B. Borden school, sometimes called the Morgan Street school, it was learned that contrary to rumors circulating around town, the grand old edifice is safe from the wrecker’s ball.  As a National Register property, it may soon close as a school, but will remain as a building of historical significance. Here is the entry from the register:

Borden, N. B., School ** (added 1983 – Building – #83000631)
43 Morgan St., Fall River
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architectural Style: Second Empire
Area of Significance: Education, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1850-1874
Owner: Local Gov’t
Historic Function: Education
Historic Sub-function: School
Current Function: Education
Current Sub-function: School

Although the magnificent cupola is gone, and some of the elaborate decoration which once adorned the roof, the basic structure of red brick is intact and ready to face another 100 years.  The interiors still boast magnificent beadboard, Renaissance Revival cornices and winding staircases terminating in snailshell topped newel posts. Can you picture Lizzie skipping rope in the schoolyard?

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