Fairmount School Explained

Fairmount School
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:September 14, 2005[1]
Designated Other1 Number:127-0308
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:1501 N. 21st St., Richmond, Virginia
Coordinates:37.5434°N -77.4128°W
Architect:Huntt, Albert F.
Architecture:Gothic Revival
Added:November 9, 2005
Mpsub:Public Schools of Richmond MPS
Refnum:05001227

Fairmount School, which became known as Helen Dickinson School from 1925 until 1958 (when it returned to its original name) and is now the Fairmount House, is a historic school building located in Richmond, Virginia. The two-story brick building was constructed circa 1895 on a high basement in the Gothic Revival style. It features two slate-covered, mansard roofed towers. A two-story addition designed by Albert F. Huntt (1868 - 1920) was added in 1908 - 1909.[2]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The school is similar architecturally to Randolph School (Richmond, Virginia) which also survives.

September 1958, upon its conversion to a Negro school with pupils from Bowler, Buchanan, George Mason, and Woodville. Under Plan III, Fairmount was paired with Francis.

It became Fairmount School again in 1958, after being renamed Helen Dickinson in 1925 to honor a former principal, and became a school for African-Americans. It closed in 1979, was sold by the City of Richmond in 1981, and was restored by Churchill-Fairmount Limited Partnership for use by elderly and handicapped persons.[3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 19 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053819/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register_counties_cities.htm. 21 September 2013. dead.
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Fairmount School. Bryan Clark Green. June 2005. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying four photos
  3. Randolph School National Register of Historic Places nomination form
  4. Web site: Church Hill People's News » Fairmount School listed on the National Register of Historic Places - Richmond, Virginia . chpn.net . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100620211851/http://chpn.net/news/2005/12/10/fairmount-school-listed-on-the-on-the-national-register-of-historic-places_279/ . 2010-06-20.