From the Desk of Lawrence County Executive David Morgan – West Gaines School Community Center

WEST GAINES SCHOOL COMMUNITY CENTER

The week approaching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a perfect time to talk about preserving an important piece of local history: the West Gaines School.

Notice I didn’t say African-American history, even though it served that population from 1937 to 1965. Dr. King’s work ended segregation, and I would like to end our segregated way of thinking about the building. It is Lawrence County history, period.

We’ve already lost so many historic buildings. Nothing remains of the train depots that were scattered around the county, some in communities that no longer exist. We have photos of dozens more businesses, homes, and churches that were torn down for reasons that seemed good at the time.

Our former courthouse is a great example. Very few days pass when I don’t hear someone lament that loss. A few admit the building was in terrible condition, the cost to refurbish it was prohibitive, and it was too small to meet our needs. Those were all good reasons to tear it down and instead spend money on a larger, modern building. Still, we regret that decision and probably always will.

Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West, who also directs the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation, says the West Gaines School is “very restorable.” Admittedly, it doesn’t look good outside and the inside is in bad condition due to its leaking roof. But the walls and foundation are as sturdy as the day they were built. Dr. West told us he was part of one project that restored a historic building whose roof was completely torn off in a tornado.

Some people believe the school stands for a time in our history that should be forgotten, but its former students disagree. All the ones I know have good memories of their time there, and want to create a place within it that celebrates its legacy of serving this community.

Dr. West and his graduate students, other preservation experts in the region, and our own Archivist Ashley Armstrong are lending their expertise to document the building’s historic value and restore it. There is a possibility that grant money can cover a portion of those costs, particularly with possible placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today I want to encourage you to support restoration of the West Gaines School. West Gaines School Community Center has a GoFundMe account where you can make donations, and the group has regular meetings and fundraisers announced through its Facebook page.

In the spirit of Dr. King, we should honor this important part of Lawrence County’s history and help it continue to serve our community.

David Morgan