Our Plans for the School

As a Rosenwald School, it remains on Preservation Virginia's list of most endangered Historical Places and is treasured for its brick facade, a rare design among Rosenwald Schools.  After sitting vacant and derelict for decades, the CCRSRI purchased the school free and clear of debt in 2019.  The Town of Cape Charles donated 6+ acres of land expanding the campus to 8+ acres. Through the support of many, this school is well on its way to be one of the finest examples of a Rosenwald School and a new multifaceted resource for the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

We are rehabilitating the school for adaptive reuse as a hub for multicultural and multigenerational community engagement for the benefit of all residents of the rural Eastern Shore of Virginia.  Well aligned with Northampton County's "Livable Communities" concept and the Town of Cape Charles' vision for the Harbor District, CCRSRI developed a strategic plan for the future uses of the school and partnerships are continually being developed. 

There is currently no established gathering space like the proposed historic school venue in Northampton County.  The large, open, flexible spaces will provide a much-needed asset to the Main Street America Town of Cape Charles's gathering and entertainment options.  The history, architecture, outdoor recreation area, exhibit space and programming will draw people of all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.  This project will provide a hub for numerous organizations to collaborate and fill critical unmet economic and social needs in the community.