Rosa True School Explained

The Rosa E. True School is an historic building on Park Street in Portland, Maine's West End. It opened as a public elementary school in 1844 and closed in 1972; upon the closing of the school, it had been in continuous use longer than any other school in the country.[1]

In 1971, school principal Rodney E. Wells was charged with violating Maine's right to know laws when he withheld the school's enrollment information from a parent concerned over the hiring of a school employee.[2]

In 1987, the historic preservation group Greater Portland Landmarks began involvement with the Rose True School with a $5,000 revolving loan to help convert the property into a multi-unit apartment building.[3]

In 1992, the property was converted into 8 low income apartments primarily through local anti-gentrification efforts and the availability of tax credits.[1] The redevelopment of the property also resulted in $900,000 put into the local economy and job training for young people.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Delvac. William F.. Escherich. Susan M.. Hartman. Bridget. Affordable Housing Through Historic Preservation. June 1995. National Trust for Historic Preservation. 41–. 9780788124655.
  2. News: Hearing on School Head Continued. October 12, 1971. Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. 24 November 2011.
  3. Web site: The preservation movement in Portland. 24 November 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110929114632/http://www.portlandlandmarks.org/advocacy/Preservation-Movement.php. 29 September 2011.
  4. News: ROSA TRUE SCHOOL PROJECT DESERVES NATIONAL ATTENTION THIS RENOVATION HAS WORKED FOR EVERYONE.. June 15, 1994. Portland Press Herald. 12A. 24 November 2011.