“ Much needs to happen to make people ’ s dreams for Washington School come true and that ’ s going to require strong partnerships and commitment across the community ,” Reames said .
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of the building and property in December 2022 , thanks to an anonymous donor ’ s generous gift of $ 250,000 .
“ Securing the ownership of this building back to the city is huge ,” Arata said . “ That gives us a really good partner to work with – and it is going to take a partnership to save this building .”
Arata said her team is looking at the reverse approach – the building does matter , and they will accept that all of the engineering designs will account for flooding by raising electrical outlets , and other considerations .
Stillwater Communications Specialist Michelle Charles said the risk of flooding paved the way for the building ’ s purchase .
“ Ironically , the flooding that threatened the school is probably what saved it ,” Charles said .
ATTACKING THE DIRT On April 22 , the Washington School Alumni
Association , the City of Stillwater and the Mt . Zion
Missionary Baptist Church launched a city-wide effort to clean up the building .
The first Clean-Up Day lasted for about four hours that Saturday . Trash from the building and grounds filled three large containers , but the work was far from over .
The event brought alumni from the surrounding area , a mini-reunion for some who attended the school before it was desegregated in two separate instances in 1958 ( high school ) and 1967 ( grade school ).
“ While there is still a lot of work to do in the facility , it ’ s clear that there is so much potential for the school to once again be an important part of Stillwater ’ s community life ,” said Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce .
Deputy City Manager Melissa Reames said the City anticipates needing to schedule more cleanup days .
“ Preserving and restoring the historic school after everything it ’ s been through is going to take a
“ Much needs to happen to make people ’ s dreams for Washington School come true and that ’ s going to require strong partnerships and commitment across the community ,” Reames said .
AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE 1957 FLOOD
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