Eureka School (Hattiesburg, Mississippi) Explained
| Eureka School |
| Designation1: | Mississippi Landmark |
| Designation1 Number: | 035-HAT-0309.2-ML[1] |
| Designation1 Date: | July 14, 2005 |
| Location: | 412 East 6th Street
Hattiesburg, Mississippi[2] |
| Coordinates: | 31.3347°N -89.2911°W |
| Built: | 1921 |
| Governing Body: | Hattiesburg Convention Commission[3] |
Eureka School, located at 412 East 6th Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was constructed in 1921 as a public school for African Americans.[4] The school was the first brick school building for black students to be built in Mississippi.[5] The former school building, which now houses a civil rights museum,[5] was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2005.
History
Construction of Eureka School was completed in September 1921, as a two-story brick building of about 27000ft2.[2] Funding was provided by a $75,000 bond issue.[4]
Eureka School was the only public school for African Americans in Hattiesburg from 1921 to 1949, serving grades 1 through 12.[4] Enrollment increased from 800 students in 1940 to 1,400 by 1947, requiring more school facilities. By 1949, a new high school for African Americans was built, but Eureka School continued to serve as an elementary school through desegregation, until 1987.[6]
After the public school closed in 1987, the building was used as an adult literacy center and storage facility for the Hattiesburg Public School District.[6]
Restoration
In 2008, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to begin restoration of Eureka School for use as an African American Heritage and Cultural Museum.[7] Funding for restoration was provided by grants through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.[8] [9] [10]
On February 10, 2013, an EF-4 tornado passed through Hattiesburg.[11] [12] During the storm, the roof of Eureka School was severely damaged.[2] By the end of August 2013, roof repairs had been completed.[13]
Restoration of the building's interior continued through 2014.[10] Multi-phase renovations proceeded as funds became available. In January 2017, plumbing and electrical repairs and improvements were being scheduled, as well as interior painting, to complete the building's renovation.[14]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: MDAH Historic Resources (Architectural—Eureka School). Mississippi Department of Archives and History. 2015-01-12. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203234640/http://www.apps.mdah.ms.gov/Public/prop.aspx?view=architectural. 2015-02-03.
- Web site: MDAH Historic Resources (Fact Sheet—Eureka School) . Mississippi Department of Archives and History . 2015-01-12.
- http://www.hattiesburgconventioncommission.com/ Hattiesburg Convention Commission
- http://www.hattiesburgeureka.com/ Eureka School Restoration and Renewal
- News: Albert C.. Jones . Mrs. Iola Williams' return to Hattiesburg a work in heritage tourism and revival of World War II-era USO Club . America, The Diversity Place . 2020-01-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200119133157/http://www.americadiversityplace.com/Other/SeniorVoices.aspx . 2020-01-19 . live.
- https://books.google.com/books?id=9bwYAwAAQBAJ&dq=Eureka+School+Hattiesburg&pg=PT129 Telling the Story of African-Americans in Hattiesburg, Mississippi: A Case Study of Socially Sustainable Tourism? Southeastern Geographer 2013 53(4):428–454
- http://www.hattiesburgeureka.com/index.cfm/photo-galleries/future-restoration/ Eureka School Future Restoration
- http://mdah.state.ms.us/admin/news/chpgrantwin07.html MDAH 2007 Community Heritage Preservation Grant Winners
- http://misspreservation.com/2011/07/28/mdah-announces-grants-awarded-to-civil-rights/ MDAH announces grants awarded to civil rights sites (2011)
- http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2014/12/07/community-heritage-awards-announced/20067665/ MDAH awards $2M in grants. Hattiesburg American (December 7, 2014)
- http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jan/?n=2013_02_10_11_tor Pine Belt Tornado Event
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/02/10/tornado-mississippi-hattiesburg-storm/1907859/ Tornado hits Hattiesburg, Miss.—USA Today (February 11, 2013)
- http://archive.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20130806/NEWS01/308060014/Eureka-School-damage-almost-repaired Eureka School damage almost repaired. Hattiesburg American (August 5, 2013)
- http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2017/01/06/work-continue-eureka-school/96255336/ Work to continue on Eureka School. Hattiesburg American (January 6, 2017)
