Preservation Efforts
Historic schools face many pressures that may cause the buildings to become abandoned or demolished. Schools are affected by changing neighborhood demographics, building codes, heating and air conditioning needs, and technological advances in education needs. Unfortunately, the architectural design of the equalization school program had some flaws. Flat roofs leak easily, large banks of windows make it difficult to heat and cool the schools (and the addition of HVAC can cause poor air quality), many schools have asbestos or other unhealthy building materials, some classroom sizes are too small, and schools along the coast do not meet seismic codes. School districts and local governments use these design issues to argue for the demolition/rebuilding of equalization schools. These issues, however, can be abated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a Healthy Schools Initiative with resources and other information to address lead paint, air quality, lighting, and other problems in older schools.
White Hall Elementary School, Fairfield County (photograph by Rebekah Dobrasko, 2011)
The preservation of historic schools will involve coordination and collaboration among a wide variety of interested parties. School districts or local governments usually own historic schools, even if they are no longer used as schools. The alumni of schools can be a powerful voice in preserving a historic school. Other interested parties may include developers, local historical societies, museums, and community development corporations. For a great "how to" guide to get started on a historic preservation project, see the State Historic Preservation Office's Make Your Dream a Reality: A Community Guide to a Historic Preservation Project.
Historic schools, if no longer feasible to be used as schools, lend themselves to a wide variety of alternative uses. Some schools continue to serve the community as learning centers, community centers, daycares, or after-school centers. Other schools are rehabilitated into housing (like the Immaculate Conception School in Charleston), offices (Marion County School District and City of Spartanburg's Wright Center), or museums (Immanuel School in Aiken). An equalization school in Chesterfield has found a new use as a YMCA, while the Green Elementary School in Sumter is now a senior citizen center. The Brewer High School in Greenville and Plum Branch Elementary School in McCormick County host a variety of businesses within the schools.
Historic school rehabilitations should consider the following factors:
Historic schools, if no longer feasible to be used as schools, lend themselves to a wide variety of alternative uses. Some schools continue to serve the community as learning centers, community centers, daycares, or after-school centers. Other schools are rehabilitated into housing (like the Immaculate Conception School in Charleston), offices (Marion County School District and City of Spartanburg's Wright Center), or museums (Immanuel School in Aiken). An equalization school in Chesterfield has found a new use as a YMCA, while the Green Elementary School in Sumter is now a senior citizen center. The Brewer High School in Greenville and Plum Branch Elementary School in McCormick County host a variety of businesses within the schools.
Historic school rehabilitations should consider the following factors:
- retain or rehabilitate historic windows
- entrances and public walkways
- signage
- corridors
- interior finishes, such as light fixtures, stairways, doors, and signage
- public spaces, such as auditoriums, ball fields
- connections of the school to the community through walkways, sidewalks, entrances
Additional guidance is available from the National Park Service:
Increasingly, school districts and local governments recognize the sustainability and walkability of historic school buildings. Local governments and school districts should be encouraged to maintain historic community schools as schools! Technological upgrades, transportation issues, and physical plant expansion have all been successfully addressed by school districts in South Carolina.
For more information on the reuse of historic schools, including case studies, see:
- Converting Historic School Buildings for Residential Use
- Corridors in Historic School Buildings
- Interior Alterations to School Buildings to Accommodate New Uses
- Rehabilitation and Adaptive Use of Schools
Increasingly, school districts and local governments recognize the sustainability and walkability of historic school buildings. Local governments and school districts should be encouraged to maintain historic community schools as schools! Technological upgrades, transportation issues, and physical plant expansion have all been successfully addressed by school districts in South Carolina.
For more information on the reuse of historic schools, including case studies, see: