East Suffolk Complex facts for kids
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East Suffolk Complex
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Former high school
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 231 S. 7th St., Suffolk, Virginia |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1926-1927, 1938-1939, 1951 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000743 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 4, 2003 |
The East Suffolk Complex is a group of important historic school buildings. They are located in Suffolk, Virginia. These buildings once served African-American students in the area.
The complex includes three main parts. There is the East Suffolk Elementary School, built between 1926 and 1927. Then there's the East Suffolk High School, constructed from 1938 to 1939. Finally, a Gymnasium building was added in 1951.
Contents
A Look Back: The Schools' History
The East Suffolk Complex has a rich history. It played a big role in education for many years. The schools helped shape the lives of countless students.
The Elementary School: A Special Beginning
The East Suffolk Elementary School was built as a Rosenwald School. These schools were part of a special program. They helped provide education for African-American children in the early 1900s. Julius Rosenwald, a businessman, helped fund these schools.
The elementary school building has one story. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style. This style looks like older American buildings. The school had a central auditorium. Classrooms were located on both sides of the auditorium.
The High School: Growing with the Community
The East Suffolk High School is also a one-story brick building. It shares the Colonial Revival style. This school was built with money from the Public Works Administration. This was a government program. It helped create jobs and build public projects during the Great Depression.
The high school had a long hallway. Classrooms were on both sides of this hallway. There were eight classrooms in total. A cafeteria wing was added to the high school in 1952. This provided a place for students to eat.
The Gymnasium: A Place for Activity
The Gymnasium building was completed in 1951. It is made of concrete blocks. Bricks were added to the outside for a nice finish. This building provided space for sports and other activities.
The entire East Suffolk Complex closed its doors as a school in 1979. Today, the complex has a new purpose. It serves as a public recreation center for the community.
A Special Place in History
The East Suffolk Complex is recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This means it is a place worth preserving. It reminds us of the past and its importance to education.
Gallery
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Former elementary school
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Gymnasium
