|
During renovations at John J. Wright, architects preserved much of the original wood trim and ceramic wall tiles of the historic school. |
After a six-year effort to renovate and recondition the former John J. Wright Middle School, the Spotsylvania County School Board dedicated the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center last week.
While the center has been open since Aug. 25 of last year, dedication was postponed until all renovations were complete.
"As word got out about this wonderful building, people wanted to come and tour," building manager Bernardine Miles said. "But I wanted them to see the final product. Like in my own home, I wanted everything in its right place."
While the school was thoroughly updated during its renovation, architects kept most of the wood trim and ceramic wall tiles of the original building intact.
"John J. Wright has what architects call 'good bones,'" said Bo Fairlamp, who helped design the renovations. "It was a great opportunity to renovate this wonderful old building and preserve the spirit of the building."
Superintendent Dr. Jerry Hill proposed the project in 2004, as part of an effort to start an alternative education program in Spotsylvania and to preserve the historic building itself.
The Wright Center contains Spotsylvania County's Head Start program, as well as alternate education for middle and high schoolers with disciplinary issues.
The center is designed not as a punitive institution for troubled kids, but a nurturing environment for them to continue their education.
"Our goal is to eliminate drop-outs," Hill said. "We know what's in the future for a student who drops out, and that's a tough hill to climb."
Prior to the Wright Center's existence, Spotsylvania students in need of alternate education had to line up for one of 35 spots at the Fredericksburg center.
"Often the spots at that center would be full before Christmas," Hill said. "When the slots were full, the kids had to go home, which was a burden to everyone."
With the completion of the Wright Center, that problem has been solved.
"We didn't turn away one kid in Spotsy last year," Hill said.
The John J. Wright school building played an enormous role in Spotsylvania history throughout the 20th century.
The school opened in 1952 to provide education for African-American students from grades one through 12.
The opening of the new building in 1952 was the culmination of a journey that began at a small gathering in 1905.
John J. Wright organized a meeting at St. Luke's Baptist Church to discuss the idea of opening a training school for African-Americans. At that meeting, Wright formed the Spotsylvania Sunday School Union and gathered $1.25 in donations toward constructing a school.
In 1913, the Sunday School Union opened the Snell Training School, housing 47 students in one room.
When Spotsylvania County integrated in 1968, Wright was turned into a middle school serving the Spotsylvania Courthouse area.
The goal of the Wright Center is not just to provide educational opportunities to students who would otherwise miss out, but to preserve the rich heritage of Spotsylvania County and the school itself.
Aaron Richardson:
Email: arichardson@freelancestar.com
