Nathaniel Woodhull’s Name to Remain on Huntington School
Nathaniel Woodhull School is going to remain just that after Huntington School Board members declined to take the Revolutionary War patriot’s name off the building and rename it after longtime former principal and current museum curator Jack Abrams.
A group of teachers, staff and community members had asked trustees to rename the building in honor of Mr. Abrams, who has been associated with the district in one way or another for more than 50 years. He served as principal of many buildings during his career, including Woodhull Elementary School.
The proposal led to a renewed interest in learning more about Mr. Woodhull, who was a general in the Continental Army commanded by George Washington. As the leader of the Suffolk and Queens militias, he played a key role in numerous battles in and around New York.
Mr. Woodhull was elected president of the first Provincial Congress that met in New York in 1775 and was re-elected to the position the following August. He died September 20, 1776 as the result of wounds suffered in battle against the British on August 28 of that year. He was married to a sister of General William Floyd, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Woodhull School is located on Woodhull Road. Construction of the building started in 1966 and it opened for 1967-68 school year. Today it serves the educational needs of about 500 students in fourth through sixth grades.
Although declining to rename the school, trustees agreed with proponents of the proposal that Mr. Abrams is a fine man who has done wonderful things for the district. He started his career in the district in 1955 as a sixth grade teacher at the now demolished Woodbury Avenue Grade School. He later served as principal of seven different schools before retiring in 1987. At that time he founded the district’s School Heritage Museum and has been its curator ever since.
School Board President Richard McGrath said the group seeking the building name change will now investigate other ways of honoring Mr. Abrams.
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