Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
0041 <br /> 4 <br /> information about these schools , predominately from the earlier part of the twentieth century . <br /> One of them , the White Oak Grove School , is located off Carr Store Road - just west of Cedar <br /> Grove . .They have turned up documents in the possession of Ms . Askew , who ' s father was the <br /> president of the PTA . Ms . Askew has most of the materials from those meetings and established <br /> the opening date of this school as October 17 , 1927 . The school has been changed somewhat , <br /> but still retains a good bit of its integrity . It has suffered from demolition by neglect, but is in <br /> fairly stable condition . The property is still in the hands of the family who was involved with <br /> starting this school . Ms . Turner stated that the committee will start focusing its attention on this <br /> site in terms of research and in the long term , restoring it as a community facility , an exhibit <br /> facility and a place to meet and further research efforts in African- American preservation and <br /> heritage . <br /> Ms . Turner stated they wanted to come to the meeting tonight and give as much information as <br /> they could , but also find out what exactly they could do with the Orange County Historic <br /> Preservation Commission . They are certainly very interested in having this school nominated to <br /> the National Register ; it is not on the study list at this point . They would also like to move ahead <br /> with a Preservation Plan and a Use Plan . <br /> Ms . Askew then stated that one idea for the school is for a literacy program . There are a lot of <br /> retired school teachers and community members in the area who may want to contribute . <br /> Allison stated that the Historic Preservation Commission is in the process of naming sites for the <br /> local landmark designation program . This certainly is a candidate to go to the head of that list . <br /> Working within the National Register nomination would be helpful , but they also have funds <br /> available for aiding that area. Certainly with that in hand, not only would it be more than <br /> interesting to get it on the National Register, but also as a local landmark . This gives significant <br /> tax breaks to the landowners and brings it to the forefront of community knowledge . <br /> Allison also stated that they now have a vacancy on the Historic Preservation Commission , The <br /> Historic Preservation Commission had talked about working with the African-American History <br /> Committee and would love for someone to come and talk to the them about serving on this <br /> Commission . If there is any interest, please contact Don Belk. <br /> Ms . Turner asked what is the next step as far as this school is concerned? <br /> Dickinson asked that they have the Smith- Cole House , Pittard Place , Benjamin Duke House that <br /> letters have already been sent asking the owners if they would like the Commission to move <br /> ahead on local designation? <br /> Belk replied that this is correct . <br /> Dickinson asked how does this affect the funds that are available for this year for National <br /> Register nominations ? <br /> 2 <br />