The Oxford Community Center (OCC) announced it is launching a capital campaign to restore and renovate the historic 1928 school building that houses the organization.
OCC is a non-profit organization in Talbot County founded in 1971, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, whose mission is to provide a welcoming place where area residents and visitors of all ages can participate in programs and activities that enrich community life. For almost 40 years, OCC has served as a regional resource, welcoming over 8,000 people each year.
Ellen Anderson, Board President, states, “Renovation is absolutely necessary as the building requires new safety, accessibility and energy conservation features not only to support a more sound structure, but also to provide an enhanced experience for everyone who uses the Center. Board member Eric Mihan has been appointed chair of the capital campaign”.
Mihan is pleased to announce the campaign honorary chairs: Senator Richard R. Colburn, Philip G. Conner, R. Michael S. Menzies, Sr., C.A. “Brud” Patterson, and Jennifer Stanley. “To date,” he reports, “over $1 million has been raised towards the renovation of this historic structure. We are fortunate to also have board member Robert Dietz chair the building committee and spearhead the construction effort”. Dietz remarks, “We have taken great measures to ensure that our project includes green technology to support a minimal impact both to our environment and most importantly, our closest natural resource – the Chesapeake Bay. We will be adapting our existing building to better serve the public, and reducing our carbon footprint by installing energy-efficient windows, high efficiency lighting, and a special geothermal HVAC system. Our architect is local Oxford resident, Cameron Mactavish, a partner in Voith & Mactavish, a well recognized firm in historical restoration work”.
The project has personally touched honorary chair and Maryland Senator Richard Colburn (R), who comments, “I am deeply committed to this Center and its restoration. This historic building holds much personal significance for me. My father, sister, and I have all attended school here. I have many fond memories and hope that future generations will be able to make their own as well”.
An event is planned for November 6, 2010 to introduce the public to the exciting renovation and restoration plans, and to share the vision of how the building will serve the community in the future.
About the Oxford Community Center
The OCC originally opened its doors in 1928 as the Oxford School, designed by renowned Maryland architect, Henry Powell Hopkins. In addition to designing many buildings on the University of Maryland’s College Park campus, Washington College and other buildings throughout Maryland, he designed several primary and secondary schools on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, of which the one that houses the Oxford Community Center is the last one in original form still standing. OCC is currently home to a variety of social, cultural, and recreational events including a Memorial Weekend Fine Arts Fair, quarterly performances by the Tred Avon Players (one of the oldest community theatre groups on Maryland’s Eastern Shore), summer youth camp, holiday events, and seasonal Farmer’s Market. To learn more about the Oxford Community Center, visit http://www.oxfordcc.org.