And the Century Award goes to… the William J. Brosnan Building

On Thursday evening, the Northport Historical Society presented its Century Award to the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District to commemorate construction of the iconic William J. Brosnan Building on Laurel Avenue in Northport. Originally called the Laurel Avenue School, the building was renamed in 2006 to honor William Brosnan, a retired superintendent of schools who served for 25 years. The Century Award, as its name suggests, is awarded to organizations and buildings in the Northport and East Northport area that have reached a 100-year milestone.

The award was presented at the June 20 board of education meeting by Northport Historical Society Executive Director Terry Reid to current Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Moyer, BOE President Dr. Larry Licopoli and trustees Victoria Buscareno, Donna McNaughton, David Badanes, Thomas Loughlin, Allison Noonan and Carol Taylor. The following piece on the history of the NENUFSD was written by Trustee Taylor, who is also the former education coordinator at the Northport Historical Society. 

The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District began its evolution with school houses scattered in separate districts, including Northport Harbor, Crab Meadow, Clay Pitts (later the East Northport School), Fresh Pond/Fort Salonga, Eaton’s Neck, and Northport “east of the mill.” 

The 1827 school census recorded 51 children in the Crab Meadow School District. In 1872, the Northport Harbor School District and the Northport District merged, establishing the Northport Union Free School District #4. In 1875 the “school on the hill” on School Street in Northport educated 100 elementary students and in 1896 the school added its first high school class. This first graduating class (which consisted of three students) graduated in 1900. In 1904 the School Street School expanded and renovated.

By 1915 the School Street school’s overcrowding resulted in a community petition delivered to the board of education asking for a new building to be erected elsewhere. The idea of using the School Street School’s attic space for classrooms was abandoned. Elementary classes were conducted with split sessions. In 1922 the East Northport and Northport school districts merged. 

The need for a bigger building with better ventilation and electricity prompted 1922 Board of Education President Dr. Quackenbush (1913-1933) to tour several school construction projects at other school districts on Long Island. At that time, the New York State Department of Education required at least a 10-acre parcel of land for new school construction, to allow for athletic fields. 

At first, the community did not approve the $17,000 purchase. But the board of education resubmitted the proposition on March 15, 1922 and the community approved the acquisition by a margin of 276-178. Construction commenced two years later on the Vail and Call tract of land on Laurel Avenue, where the William J. Brosnan building still sits.

It was on a snowy February 15, 1924 that the Northport School District laid the cornerstone for the regal building. The event involved the board of education, the administration, teachers, staff, students, and the choir, along with the community and local press. Dr. Quackenbush delivered a moving speech, in part: “Friends, we’re here today to lay the cornerstone of the building which for many years past all loyal citizens felt the need of and have wished the Village to have…”

The president of the high school senior class, Lawrence Van Dyck, also addressed the board of education and the assembled crowd: “...We more than appreciate your labors and to you, the voters and taxpayers of Northport, we are deeply indebted for your wholehearted cooperation with the board of education and your willingness to appropriate the necessary money for the construction of this institution.” 

The Kennedy Construction Company of Brooklyn gifted the district a silver trowel used to lay the cornerstone. In the fall of 1924, all grades were relocated to this new 500-student K-through-12 school.

By 1938 community growth and school crowding prompted construction of separate elementary schools: Ocean Avenue and Larkfield School. All elementary school students were transferred out of the Laurel Avenue School to the newly constructed schools, leaving the Laurel Avenue School to serve as a junior/senior high school. As school enrollment continued to grow post WWII, the high school and the junior high school were separated. 

In 1956 a new high school was constructed on Middleville Road. The Laurel Avenue School then became Northport Junior High School.

The 1950s and 1960s ushered in newly constructed schools: Dickinson Avenue Elementary School (1955), Fifth Avenue Elementary School (1958), Norwood Avenue Elementary School (1958), Bellerose Avenue Elementary School (1966), Pulaski Road Elementary School (1962) and East Northport Middle School (1959). 

In 1966 a new high school was built on Laurel Hill Road to remedy continued overcrowding. Middleville became a junior high school and continues in that capacity. The new Northport High School on Laurel Hill Road welcomed 1,500 students and continues to educate high schoolers. 

Today, the William J. Brosnan Building is still educating students: it houses the Port Academy High School and a preschool. The school district administrative offices share the building as do various community groups.

A time capsule, recently discovered by NENUFSD officials, was opened at the June 20 board meeting. The capsule was unearthed from within a cornerstone of the William J. Brosnan building. Full story on the historic event to come.