Tulsa Public Schools to sell bricks from burned Barnard Elementary School
BY ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
11/20/12 at 7:49 AM
Mementos from a school that was attended by several generations of Tulsans are about to go on sale.
Tulsa Public Schools has announced that bricks from the fire-ravaged, former Barnard Elementary School building will be made available for $5 each because of an overwhelming number of requests from alumni and former employees.
"I am not surprised by the large number of requests we have received for bricks from Barnard's many fans," Superintendent Keith Ballard said. "The historical building is home to powerful memories for the staff and students who called it home over the years. We know it won't bring back their school, but Barnard supporters will find comfort in having a memento from their cherished school."
Built in 1925, the Barnard building was destroyed in an early morning inferno Sept. 5. Demolition of the property began in early October and is close to completion.
About 800 bricks were salvaged from the site and will be available for sale from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Education Service Center, 3027 S. New Haven Ave.
The bricks will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, with proceeds going to Tulsa Public Schools' building general fund. There is no limit on the number of bricks that may be purchased, but only cash or check will be accepted. Buyers must transport the bricks they purchase.
Brick reservations may be made in advance on Tulsa Public Schools' website at tulsaworld.com/tps
Barnard was closed as an elementary school in the spring of 2011 but had just been leased and occupied by the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences, a charter high school, when the fire occurred.
After a two-week inquiry, investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tulsa Fire Department determined that the blaze was caused accidentally by construction work that was being done to install a ventilation pipe from a classroom that was going to be used as a chemistry lab.
The Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences has relocated to another vacant school building.
Tulsa Public Schools officials have not determined the future of the Barnard site.
Original Print Headline: TPS will sell bricks from burned school
Andrea Eger 918-581-8470
andrea.eger@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Superintendent Keith Ballard: "We know it won't bring back their school, but Barnard supporters will find comfort in having a memento."
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