Wellington C. Mepham High School

 secondary education  Add category

* Part of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
* Grades 9-12
* Public school
* 1283 students

Designed c. 1937 in the Art Deco style by Philip Wiedersum of Wiedersum Associates Architects at a cost of $200,000. Wiedersum designed over 215 high schools including one for Valley Stream in 1929. The building's design was heralded as both functional and ornamental with a central core with the library built in the tower. In 1962, the formerly open area in the rear was enclosed to allow for a second gym for girls, additional classrooms, a room for vocal music, and a new cafeteria.

Interestingly, the auditorium received a 16' x 80' oil mural in 1937 which was made by Rambusch Decorative Studio for Waldorf-Astoria Hotel for its Norse Grill which is now known as the Bull and Bear. The mural, which showcased the environs of New York City, Long Island, highlighting locations of country clubs and golf courses, was rejected by the hotel and was instead altered and installed in the high school. On the opposite of the mural is a maxim from Diogenes of Sinope which states: "The Foundation of Every State is the Education of Its Youth." The mural underwent an extensive restoration by Sherman Art Conservation of Sea Cliff in 2007.

www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/mepham/index.htm
www.mepham.org/newsch.html
www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_...
liherald.com/stories/Preserving-Mephams-and-LIs-past,49...