Residents gathered Sunday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Little Red School House, a once-vibrant landmark now in disrepair but the focus of a renewed effort to save it.
The event, held across from the school at La Buena Vida Restaurant on Montauk Highway in Moriches, was sponsored by the Mastic Park Civic Association, Mastic Peninsula Historical Society, and the Mastics and Shirley Lions Club. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support a campaign to preserve the historic three-room building.
A committee led by former student Joe May has formed to seek historic landmark status from Brookhaven Town and a $1.8 million federal grant to restore the school. “The building would be an ideal place to showcase local history,” May said. It could also serve as a permanent home for the William Floyd School District History Museum, which he said should be named for Rita Rech, a noted community activist and school board member. She was represented by her daughters, Susan and Gladys, who voiced support for the effort.
Once slated for demolition, the school was saved in 2018 after residents led a petition drive that collected 2,000 signatures. Now owned by the Mastic-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, the site stands beside the new Moriches Library Annex. May said the original blackboard should be preserved as part of the renovation and envisions a new flagpole on the grounds.
Former Village of Mastic Beach Mayor Bob Miller, who attended kindergarten there, said, “Buildings like this tell the story of who we are. Preserving them gives future generations a sense of pride and belonging.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine pledged support for the landmark designation and federal funding request, while Legislator Jim Mazzarella donated to the preservation fund. May added that he has engaged Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in securing grant money.