Douglas School facts for kids
|
Douglas School
|
|
Douglas School, April 2012
|
|
 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 598 N. Kent St., Winchester, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 9.5 acres (3.8 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Long, R.V.; Gardner & Newcome |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000558 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | May 26, 2000 |
The Douglas School, also known as the Douglas Community Learning Center, is a special historic building in Winchester, Virginia. It was once a school specifically for African American students. Today, it serves as a community center for everyone.
Contents
History of Douglas School
Building the School
The Douglas School was built in 1927. The money for its construction came from the John Handley Endowment. It was designed in a style called Classical Revival, which means it looks like old Greek or Roman buildings. It has a grand entrance with four columns.
The school building was expanded several times. New parts were added in 1940, 1951, and 1962. These additions helped the school grow and serve more students over the years.
A School for African American Students
For many years, the Douglas School was the only school for African American students in Winchester. During this time, laws in the United States created "separate but equal" schools. This meant that Black and white students went to different schools. The idea was that these separate schools would be equally good, but often they were not.
The Douglas School played a very important role in the African American community in Winchester. It provided education for many students during a time when schools were kept separate based on race.
Becoming a Community Center
In 1966, things changed. Schools in Winchester, like many across the United States, began to integrate. This meant that students of all races could now attend the same schools together.
Because of this change, the Douglas School closed as a segregated school. It then became the Douglas Community Learning Center. This center now helps people of all ages in the community. It might have been named after the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass, even though the spelling is a little different.
National Recognition
The Douglas School is an important part of history. Because of its significance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000. This listing helps protect the building and recognize its historical value.
