There are a number of similar situations throughout the country and throughout the state of Virginia where schools of historic value have been saved—rehabilitated and repurposed.
This is true of the Jefferson School in Charlottesville, which is now a central hub for civic life.
This is true of the Moton School in Prince Edward County, the site of Barbara Johns’ historic protest. It’s now a gathering place and museum.
This is true of the formerly all-white Powhatan High and Powhatan Elementary School in the historic village in this same community. Dilapidated buildings were salvaged and brought up to code and now provide offices, community services and public meeting spaces.
We ask—what is so different about Pocahontas that it deserves a wrecking ball without full and complete due diligence, complete study, and sufficient public input—with opportunities for a willing public to come forward and help save it from short-sighted destruction?