On December 18th, 2008 voters in the Middletown, NY school district passed a referendum to acquire property to build a new elementary school.  At the last minute a provision was added to demolish John W. Chorley Elementary School.  Designed by Modernist architect Paul Rudolph, it is composed of open classrooms naturally lit by saw-tooth clerestory windows reminiscent of the many factory buildings dotting the nearby Hudson River.  The property has been deemed State and National Register eligible by the State of New York.

The school district plans to replace Rudolph's building with a parking lot, despite the construction of the new school does not require Chorley's demolition and without consideration of integrating the historic structure into the proposal or the possibility of Chorley's adaptive reuse.

Please ask the school board to rethink its decision and save this masterpiece of Modern architecture from the wrecking ball!  For more information about John Chorley Elementary and the Paul Rudolph Foundation's efforts to save the building, visit our website at www.paulrudolph.org/chorley.html

Dear Middletown School Board,

I understand the John W. Chorley Elementary School in Middletown, NY - an icon of Modern architecture by Paul Rudolph - is to be demolished and replaced with a parking lot and playing fields.

This decision is disappointing, given the property is State and National Register eligible and the construction of the new school does not require Chorley's demolition.  The decision to demolish John W. Chorley Elementary does not consider integrating the historic structure into the proposal nor the possibility of Chorley's adaptive reuse.

This building represents a style of architecture specific to an era of American history.  Modern architecture is an essential legacy of the 20th century and I would like to see it preserved for future generations to admire and study. Please reconsider your decision to demolish this Modern masterpiece and thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]