By MaryBeth Carpenter

Preservation Zebulon Board Member Tommy Massey and local supporters Brian Perry and Michael Pippin repaired the roof by replacing a large number of slate tiles on the roof of the Memorial on Proctor Road in Wakefield, erected 1946. Their repair job was done as a volunteer effort to preserve the Memorial of the Wakefield Classical and Mathematical School Building.

“We wanted to shore up this roof to preserve this important memorial in Wakefield, and just set aside a day and some donated materials to do it,” stated Tommy Massey.

The first building housing the Wakefield Classical and Mathematical Academy was erected on this site in 1882. The school opened in September 9, 1882 with the Reverend Oliver Larkin Stringfield, his wife Ellie Stringfield, Rena Beckwith and Helen Parker. W. J. Ferrell was appointed as headmaster in 1883 and four additional teachers joined the academy and were “selected for their qualifications in elocution, piano and voice” Irene Cartwright, Lottie Harris, Annie Shepherd, and Mary Worth.

The school’s first site is honored by this memorial, donated by the alumni and their children. The Stringfield – Ferrell memorial was dedicated on June 15, 1947. Dr W.C. Horton gave the land for the structure and led the fund drive for its construction and the names of 69 donors are listed in its interior. 2

The name Stringfield – Ferrell Memorial honors the school’s first teacher and headmaster, and the Wakefield Classical and Mathematical Academy’s first building’s location is at this site. A second building was constructed also on Proctor Street, and then by 1893 a third structure of two stories was erected to provide more space for the growing student body. The former two school buildings were sold and used as stores in Wakefield.3 Unfortunately, in 1898 the fine two-story building was lost in a fire. Students continued to attend classes in local stores or other places that could hold them until another school was erected, comprising a story and a half. Classes were held here until it outgrew its space in 19104 and the students were then accommodated by the new Wakelon School as it opened in Zebulon.

 

MaryBeth Carpenter is Executive Director of Preservation Zebulon.