Price Public Elementary School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Price Public Elementary School
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hasson and Spring Sts., Rogersville, Tennessee |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1923 |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002538 |
| Added to NRHP | November 10, 1988 |
The Price Public Elementary School in Rogersville, Tennessee, was once a school for African Americans. Today, it is known as the Price Public Community Center and Swift Museum. It serves as a place for the community to gather and is also home to the Swift Museum.
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A School for African-American Children
The land where the school stands was set aside for African-American education in 1868. Four men named Alexander Fain, Jordan Netherland, Albert Jones, and Nathaniel Mitchell bought the land. Their goal was to build a schoolhouse for "colored children." A school was built and used for many years. The building you see today replaced that first school in 1922.
How Price School Operated
Price School taught students until 1958. At that time, it closed its doors. The students then moved to Swift High School. Swift High School changed from just a high school to a school for all grades, from kindergarten to 12th grade.
School Integration in Rogersville
During the 1960s, Rogersville began to integrate its schools. This meant that students of all races could attend the same schools. African-American elementary students from Price School then moved to Rogersville City School. This was also a school for grades K-8.
What Happened to the Building After Closing?
After Price School closed, the building was used for different things. It was a place where people could can food, a community center, and even a storage building. Over time, the building was left empty and became very run-down.
Restoring a Historic Building
In 1988, the Price School building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places important to American history.
Bringing the Building Back to Life
Starting in the mid-1990s, people worked together to restore the building. The town, local African-American community, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Rogersville Heritage Association all helped. They even received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help with the project.
Price Public Community Center and Swift Museum
After all the hard work, the Price Public Community Center opened in 2003. The Swift Museum opened inside the center in 2008. Both the community center and the museum offer ways for people to learn about African-American history and culture. They are important places for education and community events.
See also
