• Home
• Disclosures
• Online Banking
• Special Offers
• Membership
• Member Application
• Loans & Rates
• Loan Application
• Checking & Savings
• Account Application
• Services
• Online Services
• Hours & Contact
• Past Monthly Winners

---

Central Junior Building Receives Historical Designation

Vestal alumni Jim O’Hora and Dale Ketcham are very proud of where they graduated from and are interested in seeing their old alma mater, Vestal Central School, being restored to its original glory. Ketcham begin researching the structure’s history and discovered that it was built by local architect A.T. Lacey & Sons. Completed in 1938, the building reflected the Art Deco style Lacey was famous for. It turns out, that was a key factor in the State’s consideration of the building for historical landmark status.

Just before the holidays, O’Hora and Ketcham received word that their dream may come true. They received notification of the building’s addition to New York State’s Register of Historic Places, a designation that will make it eligible for matching grant funds for restoration. Shortly after a press conference on January 28, held in the Central School auditorium, a steering committee was formed to begin fundraising efforts. The goal is to raise money to secure matching grants to restore the auditorium without local tax impact.

O’Hora sees the restoration as a way to bring back to life a gem in the Vestal community and create a new cultural center for Western Broome County. He says, “To those of us who attended the old Vestal Central School, especially those who went K - 12 there in the 40’s and 50’s, that building was already a very special landmark to us. It was where we began our formal education, met lifetime friends and shared memorable experiences. To have the building officially designated a historic landmark is an exclamation point for all who have had the privilege of attending that school.”

Others who shared their dream and helped them through the process of achieving the historical designation include Town of Vestal historian Margaret Hadsell, a Vestal alumnus, Tania Werbizky, also a Vestal alumnus and the Preservation League of NYS’ regional director of grant programs, and Kathleen LaFrank, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. Many thanks to them for their assistance with this project.

---