The Mildred M. Fox School, also known as Brick School, has been an anchor of community life in Paris for 125 years; educating generations of Paris students until 2008. Originally built in 1883 as the Oxford Normal Institute in the Italianate style, the school was rebuilt and expanded significantly in 1940 pursuant to Philip B. Wright’s design. It was renamed in 1967 to honor longtime principal Mildred M. Fox. This building is physical evidence of the shift towards consolidation of neighborhood schoolhouses into larger buildings. Its architecture is typical of schools of its era; a brick classical revival building with large windows. It was mostly unchanged since its construction, with the exception of updates and minor changes made in the mid-1960s.
For several years after its closure as a public school, the building was leased to a Christian academy, and then was vacant as the town considered the future of the building. Avesta Housing of Portland purchased the building in 2016 and undertook the challenging task of transforming the building into critically needed affordable housing for seniors. This project was supported by the town, which had the vision to save Fox School so it could be repurposed to benefit the community. The project was also supported by Norway Savings Bank, a key partner that facilitated the acquisition of funding and championed the project.
As is common with older properties, the building had environmental conditions that needed to be addressed, such as lead paint and asbestos, as well as early signs of deterioration, including rotting windowsills due to water infiltration. The rehabilitation project was done with both preservation and sustainability in mind; retaining key features wherever possible. Classrooms were converted to create 12 accessible apartment units, and an elevator was added. The original windows were retained, and storm windows were added for energy efficiency. Lighting and appliances were also chosen for their energy efficiency. The school's past was honored through the selection of interior and exterior paints, lighting fixtures and common area furniture consistent with the building's period of historical significance. The grounds were also re-landscaped.
The redevelopment of Fox School was a $3.2 million project that will house seniors making 60% or less of the area median income; enabling local seniors to age in place safely and affordably; the majority of the units are occupied by residents of Paris and Norway. This project has had a positive economic impact on the region, resulting in the employment of nearly 40 local service providers, subcontractors and suppliers, as well as local architects, contractors, engineers and other development team partners. The redevelopment brought Fox School to the tax rolls for the first time to the economic benefit of the Town of Paris and confirmed the school’s place as a community landmark.
Project Participants
Avesta Housing
Dorian Foley, Portland Builders
David Lloyd, Archetype Architects
Tom Greer, Walsh Engineering Associates
Scott Hanson, Sutherland Conservation & Consulting
Perry Building & Restoration (name requested)
Cito Selinger, Curtis Thaxter
Tom Gioia, Otis Atwell
Peter Godsoe, Norway Savings Bank
Bill Glover, MaineHousing
Lisa Merchant, NNEHIF
