Dedication of Historic Schoolhouse Building at Moore Montessori Community School
On April 11, 2024, Moore Montessori Community School will dedicate its recently renovated building along with five classrooms in a community ceremony. The building will be named Voss Hall, in honor of the Voss family’s multi-generational legacy of education and generosity.
Originally dedicated in 1947, Voss Hall was designed by school architect William H. Deitrick of Raleigh. The Pilot newspaper wrote at the time: “The one-story building, whose external architecture is Georgian Colonial, is on a large wooded lot, its beautiful entrance shaded by the longleaf pines and magnolia trees which are distinctively Southern Pines. The columned porch, with wide steps and wrought iron railing, is floored in light tan ‘crab orchard’ flagstone; above it soars a weather-vaned cupola reminiscent of the New England from which the community’s founders came.”
The building, the article continued, “combines beauty with practical ideas,” designed as it was for “health, learning and safety” while being hailed as “one of the most modern and beautiful schools in the country*.”
In 2021, Moore Montessori Community School (MMCS) purchased the campus from Moore County Schools. Over the past three years, MMCS has invested in historic renovations of “B Building,” led by architect Tim Martin of Raleigh. MMCS prioritized three design principles: quality learning environments, historic authenticity, and environmental compatibility. The work has included restoring the original Buckingham slate roof and copper cupola and removing the dropped ceilings which obscured the full impact of the original 9-foot windows. The classrooms now feature abundant natural light, high quality air filtration systems, and easy access to the outdoors. Voss Hall houses primary and elementary Montessori classrooms, an art studio, administration offices, and a beautiful library for MMCS students.
In addition to the building renovations, teams of community and parent volunteers have been restoring the landscaping of the 12-acre campus to complement the beauty of its five buildings. Future projects include creating world-class outdoor learning environments and restoring the cafeteria and gymnasium. If you would like to support MMCS and its continued efforts to preserve and transform this incredible campus, please contact Katherine Rucker, Head of School.
* Historical information from 2011 Southern Pines Landmark Ornament: The Southern Pines Elementary School; Sponsored by Friends of the Southern Pines Public Library