Painting of completed restoration by Katie Theeke, WRUS Director of Admission and Communications
Who would have guessed that a small school of under 50 students would undertake a major historic restoration of a public building in a small town like Centreville?
The Wye River Upper School has not only taken this on fearlessly, but has started the project that will reach far beyond the walls of the school, encompassing an entire community.
The Wye River Upper School (WRUS) fills a unique niche in Maryland’s education system. Serving students with learning differences who struggled to succeed in the public school system, the school has attracted students from as far as Washington, DC and Baltimore. With a 1:4 teacher/student ratio, the sense of community and connectedness at WRUS is unlike any other high school in our region. The average class size is only 8-9 students, allowing for students with different styles of learning to succeed.
Housed since its inception in 2002 at Chesapeake College, WRUS stepped into Centreville in last year and began a historic restoration of the town’s Armory on Rt. 213 for a home of its own.
The school is in the middle of a capital campaign and needs approximately $1 million to complete the construction on a timeline set by the school’s Sustainable Communities funding. Anticipated ribbon cutting is set for fall of 2014.
WRUS students are deeply engaged with the building and its renovation. Small teams of students selected independent study projects as part of the school’s 21 Century Learning Curriculum this year. Some student teams brought the armory into their studies. Art and photography projects brought some students up close to architecture and history. Others pursue lessons about historic preservation and green building renovation, or interviews with veterans who served in the Armory – the future researching the past, culminating in a broad-based shared cultural celebration on the main street of this Eastern Shore town.
The large open center of the Armory will remain as a central gathering place, with classrooms on the ground floor and second floor.
The School’s Founding Executive Director, Chrissy Aull had this to share, “We have always looked for active learning in everything we do – the renovation and repurpose of the Armory represents an enduring lesson in history, community development, civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. Our students have heard personally from the WWII vets who once paraded on their basketball court. They’ve successfully lobbied the Maryland State Legislature, through letters, personal visits, and testimony as to the value of this project, and their good work gained a $200,000 grant for the project. We think these are truly life’s lessons, much more meaningful and long lasting than a textbook.”
“Now that we are 100% under way with renovations, we are proud to demonstrate to the community that we are vested in Centreville’s success and that this is a viable model for land conservation, urban renewal and environmental sustainability. It’s icing on the cake that we will deliver the very same gym floor, upon which many Centreville residents once danced, back to them to relive those wonderful stories and memories. I can’t wait!”
Complete interior restoration will include new plaster, renovated windows to conform to strict historic guidelines.
The School has engaged the local business community as well. With an intentional choice to not build a commercial kitchen to serve students and faculty, the school is pursuing collaborative arrangements with Centreville restaurants for meals. No need for a library either, since there’s a public library blocks away. The school’s philosophy surrounding community connectedness will take teachers and students out to the town wharf, the courthouse and square for outdoor classrooms and living history. Centreville residents and businesses can anticipate seeing WRUS students and teachers every day on the streets, bringing a new energy and spirit to town.
“This project is good for the environment” said Liz LaCorte, the Wye River Upper School’s Director of Development. “Repurposing the armory instead of constructing a new high school reduces our footprint. By renovating a historic building, we get to contribute to the community around us. And with a geothermal heating and cooling system, we demonstrate to the students everyday that green technology counts.”
“We’re making an impact,” said LaCorte. “The Armory is going to become an anchor in Centreville. Local organizations and civic groups can use the property for meetings, events and other gatherings.”
And the community is responding back. Carol D’Agostino, Main Street Manager of Centreville, said “We look forward to continuing our work as a partner with Wye River Upper School. It’s heartening to see how renovations like the Armory here and in Denton are bringing a renewed sense of connection to members of the community. So many people talk about the old days when the Armory was the town center for dances and social life. It’s happening all over again.”
LaCorte has many tales about locals who have stopped in to see the renovations in action, wandering the floors as they reminisce about their service and youth. LaCorte says that neighbors are always welcome, that this school is not only in Centreville, but part of the heart of Centreville. If you know someone with stories about the Armory and its place in Centreville history, students and teachers at the school want to know.
For more information on the Wye River Upper School or to participate in the campaign, contact Liz LaCorte, director of development at (410) 827-3405 or [email protected].
Historic preservation guidelines require that the new accessible elevator be completed in a distinctly different color of brick so as to be evident as an addition.
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