Little Red Schoolhouse celebrates its 100-year anniversary

The Little Red Schoolhouse, located in Moriches, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in honor of a century of local history, education and community involvement.

Since its beginning, the small red-brick schoolhouse on Montauk Highway has served generations of children from Center Moriches and the surrounding communities, making it a pillar of the community.

On Sunday, Sept. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m., the 100-year celebration took place, featuring the Hot Water Street Band performing live. Tickets were sold to raise money for the Mastics-Shirley Lions Club. They also had a cash bar, offered photo opportunities and accepted donations. In addition to honoring the generations of students and community members who attended, the event gave the public an opportunity to learn about the building’s history up close.

Until the early 1980s, the schoolhouse, located across from the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library’s Moriches satellite branch, was used as a classroom. Many students, community groups, and events have taken place there over the years, leaving a lasting impact on the locals. It is a representation of the town’s social and educational legacy due to its unique construction and historical significance.

Local civic organizations have been pushing for the Town of Brookhaven to establish the structure as a historic landmark. Being designated as a landmark would offer protection against major renovations, demolition, or relocation that would jeopardize the building’s historic condition.

The William Floyd School District currently owns the building; however, it is now being transferred to the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library. Although other library expansion and restoration projects have delayed the renovation date, the library still intends to restore and utilize the schoolhouse.

Possible uses after restoration include a location for community gatherings, an archive of local history, or a space for library-affiliated events, such as the Friends of the Arts and the Community Family Literacy Project.

The schoolhouse has been the focal point of preservation efforts for several years. Civic organizations continue to meet with local historians and town officials to further push plans.

The Little Red Schoolhouse remains a testament to the historical character and sense of community in Moriches. This is further demonstrated by the celebration of the 100-year anniversary and the continuous preservation efforts.

On Sunday afternoon, the Little Red Schoolhouse celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Commemorating a century of history is a representation of the pride that the people of Moriches take in their community.