The Historic Cape Charles Elementary School was built in 1929 as part of the innovative collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald that built close to 5,000 schools to educate African American children in the South.

Former students and faculty joined with community leaders in a crucial mission: safeguarding the building's legacy - once the heart of its community. The Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization was formed in 2012 and raised enough money to purchase the property in 2019.  Our goal?  Creating a modern-day community center that will inspire, educate, and connect all cultures in Cape Charles.

Rosenwald Schools have been designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as among the nation's most endangered historic sites. The Cape Charles school remains on Preservation Virginia's list of the state's Most Endangered Historical Places.  That's why after buying the property, the CCRSRI took steps to have the school placed on the U.S. Department of Interior's National Register of Historic Places.

Then, alliance members agreed upon a guiding principal in the school's restoration: retrieving and recapturing the original school design for adaptive re-use.

Next, they devised a vision to create a vibrant and self-sustaining community center, one that will showcase the building's rich history and provide opportunities for engagement, connection, and education.

The restored landmark will again be home to educational programs and community gatherings.  As a 21st century community center, it will support Cape Charles' revitalization and the Eastern Shore in vital ways:  through workforce training in cooperation with Eastern Shore Community College, as a business incubator, technology hub, and performance venue with exhibition space, a community kitchen, walking trails, and other valuable ammenities.  

We are building for our community!

 Historic Onancock School Community & Cultural Center (HOS) is a 13 acre oasis in the heart of Onancock, VA. The Onancock School property has been educating children on Virginia's Eastern Shore for over 100 years. The present building, now 100 years old, has now been rehabilitated for re-use as a thriving community center, with old classrooms serving as studio space for artists, makers, and entrepreneurs and a Waterman's Museum. The studios are open for shows & events, or by appointment. The events room serves as a classroom, meeting room, art gallery and may be rented out to the public. The outdoor playground, gathering space and nature trail are open to all dawn to dusk. HOS is handicap accessible and leashed dog friendly. Website details resident hours, contacts and events. https://www.historiconancockschool.org/

 

 

 

MNSCEC provides space for private and public meetings and events, mentoring, community services and other physical, cultural, education and social programs and activities to enhance the lives of community members while preserving the legacy of the school.