STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 13
WASHINGTON SCHOOL JUNIOR AND SENIOR CLASS / 1947-1948
lot of work and a lot of money ,” Reames said . “ The City is working with members of the Washington School Alumni Association , OSU faculty and students , and other community members on these initial efforts to get the building cleared out , weather tight and secured . That has to be a priority while long-term plans are being discussed .”
Reames said there are currently no firm plans in place for the building beyond this .
“ 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 .
Arata said the Clean-Up Day was a time to celebrate that in Oklahoma – which has such an interesting and complicated racial history – Stillwater has an example of an environment that represents Black history .
The building will not only be listed on the state register , but also listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Arata is hopeful that if the school is restored correctly , people will come from other places to see it .
Slade said historical buildings need to remain just that .
“ That ’ s the only historical things that we have down here ,” Slade said . “ That ’ s it . I ’ m trying to explain to people that with historical stuff , you need to leave it alone . You just need to sit still and leave it alone .”
She said it ’ s been a long journey to get to where things are now . “ We thank the Lord ,” Slade said . But she said the future use of the space is up to the community .
“ It ’ s not really what I want , it ’ s really what the people of Stillwater want as a community , as a whole ,” Slade said . “ We just need to come together as one unit .”
The Washington School Clean-Up Day stands as a testament that in this complicated time , many people are coming together to learn from each other , have hard conversations , move forward and make something really powerful that will serve the
SwOk whole community , Arata said .
STORY BY : JESSICA MARSHALL Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
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STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 13