CSG Receives Historic Preservation Award

Coastal Studies for Girls is honored to be the recipient of the Freeport Historical Society's 2010 ‎“Partners in Preservation” award. Many individuals and organizations have assisted in the ‎process of transforming the mid-1800’s Ward Farmhouse into the Coastal Studies for Girls living ‎and learning center. Now the building houses the country’s first and only residential science ‎and leadership semester school for 10th grade girls.

We are grateful to the Wolfe’s Neck Farm Foundation (WNFF) which was open to discussions about ‎locating our fledging school on their property. We envisioned being located in a setting that ‎would serve as a natural laboratory. The opportunity for students to live, work and grow on the ‎extraordinary 626-acre farm instills a sense of place not experienced in the classroom. It remains ‎core to our mission to inspire tomorrow’s leaders, environmentalists and scientists. ‎

In 2005 conversations began, and in 2008 the agreement was finalized to purchase the old ‎farmhouse and barn and lease eight acres of land. Board members of the WNF Foundation ‎supported the project and connected us with the Freeport Historical Society who provided ‎valuable guidance and insight into the historic preservation process. Neighbors voiced their ‎hopes and concerns which further helped define our plans. Wright-Ryan Contractors and Van ‎Dam Architecture & Design and Mohr & Seredin Landscape Architects, along with other ‎committed professionals, provided guidance and expertise. After a nine-month renovation ‎process, supported by a successful $1.5 million “Opening the Doors” Capital Campaign, ‎administrative staff moved into the farmhouse to prepare for students’ arrival in the inaugural ‎semester in February 2010.

Today 15 students and 12 faculty and staff can be housed in the farmhouse which contains ‎classrooms, a dining room, a commercial kitchen, offices, and upstairs living space for students ‎and residential life staff. Plans are currently underway for the Phase II “Barn Raising” Capital ‎Campaign and campus expansion which will fund renovation of the historic barn adjacent to the ‎farmhouse. The barn will house expanded classroom, dining, and living spaces assuring a ‎quality experience for young women, financial sustainability, and opportunities to host events for ‎the community. We appreciate all those who have helped transform Coastal Studies for Girls ‎from a vision to a vibrant reality for the future.‎

Top two photographs courtesy Darren Setlow Photography