Correspondence with Sunset Construction Co. regarding 1943 Government acquisition of school,, 1969-1970
File — Folder: 4
Scope and Content
From the Collection:
The Fermor Church Collection consist of records relating to the Los Alamos Ranch School (1918-1944), the Los Alamos Foundation (1943-1973) and the Papers of Lawrence S. Hitchcock (1938-1973). The Los Alamos Ranch School was a private school located in Otowi, New Mexico, present day Los Alamos. The idea of an outdoor school for boys was first conceived by Ashley Pond II and A. J. Connell in 1917. The principal aim of the school was to build up the constitution of the boys from eastern cities by an active well-guided outdoor life and academic curriculum. The school opened its doors in 1918 with an enrollment of three students. Fermor S. Church was Acting Headmaster in 1943, when the school was closed by the U.S. War Department through condemnation proceedings under the War Powers Act. Real estate belonging to the school including, buildings and equipment were taken to set up the Manhattan Project for the development of the first atomic bomb. After the closing of the Los Alamos school, attempts were made to establish other schools in Taos and Pojoaque, both schools failed.
The Los Alamos Foundation (1940-1973,) was incorporated in 1940 to receive and dispense gifts and donations for the benefit of the Los Alamos Ranch School. The Foundation also contributed to the support of two other schools which attempted to carry on the Los Alamos tradition - the Waring School in Pojoaque and the Los Alamos School in Taos. In 1973 the Foundation transferred its financial assets to the Foundation Endowment Fund of St. John's College in Santa Fe.
Lawrence S. Hitchcock served as Headmaster of the Ranch School, from 1926-1942. Records include: correspondence, financial and legal records, newspaper clippings, and Foundation materials.
The collection is organized as follows: Los Alamos Ranch School Papers, which include correspondence, legal records, financial records, printed material, curriculum & school information, alumni records and records of the Los Alamos School at Taos. Followed by records of the Los Alamos Foundation, and Lawrence S. Hitchcock Papers. NOTE: Student records are restricted. The collection was donated in 1971 by Mr.Fermor Church and his wife Peggy Pond Church, who acquired the papers of Lawrence Hitchcock in 1984.
The Los Alamos Foundation (1940-1973,) was incorporated in 1940 to receive and dispense gifts and donations for the benefit of the Los Alamos Ranch School. The Foundation also contributed to the support of two other schools which attempted to carry on the Los Alamos tradition - the Waring School in Pojoaque and the Los Alamos School in Taos. In 1973 the Foundation transferred its financial assets to the Foundation Endowment Fund of St. John's College in Santa Fe.
Lawrence S. Hitchcock served as Headmaster of the Ranch School, from 1926-1942. Records include: correspondence, financial and legal records, newspaper clippings, and Foundation materials.
The collection is organized as follows: Los Alamos Ranch School Papers, which include correspondence, legal records, financial records, printed material, curriculum & school information, alumni records and records of the Los Alamos School at Taos. Followed by records of the Los Alamos Foundation, and Lawrence S. Hitchcock Papers. NOTE: Student records are restricted. The collection was donated in 1971 by Mr.Fermor Church and his wife Peggy Pond Church, who acquired the papers of Lawrence Hitchcock in 1984.
Dates
- 1969-1970
Language of Materials
From the Collection:
English.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research. NOTE: Student records are restricted.
Extent
From the Collection: 8.5 Linear Feet
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives Repository