Merrill Middle School PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Area School District is giving the community a chance to hold onto a piece of the city’s history.
Keepsake bricks from the former Merrill Elementary/Middle School are being distributed to families and community members.
Demolition of the building began late last year. 1,000 bricks were carefully salvaged from the most historic part of the building. Those bricks have been cleaned and will be made available to the public at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a limit of one brick per family.
The brick giveaway will take place at the OASD Maintenance Building, located at 1404 S. Main Street. Distribution will be drive-up style; turn onto E. 14th Avenue and exit via Pioneer Drive.
Two designated pickup times have been set by the district. If bricks remain after the second pickup, an additional date and time will be scheduled.
- Tuesday, May 6: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 7: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
In addition to the community keepsake bricks, other bricks were harvested and preserved for the Merrill Memorial Corner, which is currently under construction at the southwest corner of the former Merrill site.
This memorial will honor the legacies of three influential figures: James Merrill, the building’s namesake; Henry Auler, the architect who designed the building; and Harold Schumerth, a beloved teacher and football coach.
Additionally, the district is relocating or making plans for other memorials that were on the former Merrill site. Specifically, the memorial plaque for Christine Fredrick, a former Merrill student who passed away in 7th grade, will be included near the memorial corner, and the family of Denise Williams, a former Merrill student who also passed away in 7th grade, will select a tree in the memorial to pay tribute to Denise.
The district understands that generations of students, families, and residents have shared experiences and formed bonds with this space, including at Schumerth Field, which formerly stood where Vel Phillips Middle School now exists. The memorial is scheduled to be completed this fall, along with the track and field for Vel Phillips Middle School, with a public dedication ceremony planned for fall 2025.
Click here to view detailed design plans for the memorial site.
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