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Farley School 1920
Rehabilitating a Community Icon
The Farley Building has been the centerpiece and a symbol of education and community in Hollis, New Hampshire since 1877. With your help, we can rehabilitate this historic building and make it accessible to everyone in our community.
Farley Building Community Center 2027
Now Is The Time
Now is the time to envision a building where our community can gather. A community center that conveniently connects schools, ball fields, the library, and the town center. A place where different generations can regularly pass each other in hallways, where lives are enriched, and where folks can just sit and pass the time. A place where every Hollis resident will find a welcoming home. The Farley Building is ready to be transformed into a community center we all can enjoy.
The Vision
Prescott Community Center
Prescott Community Center
Prescott Community Center
Prescott Community Center
Stevens-Buswell Community Center
Stevens-Buswell Community Center
Stevens-Buswell Community Center
Stevens-Buswell Community Center
These photos and room renderings are used with permission from the Stevens-Buswell Community Center Bedford, NH, and the Prescott Community Center, Groton, MA.
Both community centers are featured here because each of the buildings is of similar design and room dimension to the Farley Building.
A Shared Space
Creating a flexible space that's open to the community will not only honor the Farley Building's original intention but also allow for cost-effective solutions that benefit the entire town.
Farley School 1904
Farley School 1920
Farley Building Community Center 2027
The History of The Farley School Building 1875-2006
Project Timeline
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Mary Farley upon her death left $10,000 to construct a school. In today’s dollars that is the equivalent of about $300, 000.
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1877
The Farley School was built in 1877 to serve 267 students in grades 1-12. The first floor housed grades 1-8, the second floor grades 9-12, and the third floor was leased to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
1921
A 2 ½ story addition was added to the school due to a growing student population.
1952
Hollis built a new elementary school for grades 1-6, and the Farley building remained the home to students in grades 7-12.
1958
The iconic tower was damaged by lightning and removed.
1962
Hollis built a new high school (now the HB Middle School). For the next 40 years, the Farley building served as the home for arts, language, and special education classes.
1991
The building was leased to the HB COOP School District.
2005
The Farley School Building was closed.
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The school department vacated the school and the Town of Hollis became owner.
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A committee was formed to investigate and determine the viable options for the building
$50K was approved by the residents of Hollis who voted to approve funding to stabilize and mothball the building for future use.
The Farley Building was designated as Seven to Save by the NH Preservation Society.
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The Farley Building Committee was created to make recommendations for the building’s disposition.
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$50K was approved by the residents of Hollis and the funding was approved to develop a condition assessment and feasibility reuse study on the building.
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The architectural firm of Misiaszek Turpin pllc was contracted to perform a feasibility study of the building, a condition assessment, and the proposed rendering of the building was completed.
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The residents of Hollis approved $300K to fund a complete construction and bid management package to be used relative to an RFP for the work. The package will include complete construction, engineering, and structural drawings. When the drawings are completed, bids can be issued.
Fundraising efforts will continue.
The FBCC committee is actively pursuing community input and pledges of support from local construction businesses.
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Warrant article to be voted on to secure a Bond to begin rehabilitation.
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Estimated project completion.