Paw Paw Black School Explained

Paw Paw Black School
Location:Amelia St., Paw Paw, West Virginia
Built:1928
Architecture:Collegiate Gothic
Architect:Raymond Hunter (builder)
Added:July 17, 2024
Refnum:100010588
Coordinates:39.5314°N -78.4594°W

The Paw Paw Black School is an historic building in Paw Paw, Morgan County, West Virginia. It was built in 1928 by local builder Raymond Hunter from Berkeley Springs, WV in a Collegiate Gothic Revival Style. It is a rectangular brick faced building over hollow ribbed terracotta blocks on a raised concrete foundation. The building taught African-American students through the 8th grade until 1954 when "separate but equal" was declared unconstitutional. The building also served as the social and civic center for the small African American community.[1]

In its 13 August 2014 issue the Morgan Messenger published an article about the Paw Paw Black School titled "Paw Paw Black School was a Historic School of Excellence". This article discussed the quality of the education that was provided for black students during the years the school was open.[2]

It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 2024, and is the town's third entry on the National Register.[3]

References

  1. Web site: Abruzzi . David . July 2024 . National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form - Paw Paw Black School . 27 July 2024 . State of West Virginia, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Historic Preservation.
  2. News: Evans . Kate . August 13, 2024 . The Paw Paw Black School was a Historic School of Excellence . Morgan Messenger . 14.
  3. https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/100010184 National Register Database and Research