Riverside Black School project

Riverside School Association (RSA), in partnership with Mountain Partners in Community Development, an Elkins based non-profit organization, has received a WV State Historic Preservation Office Development Grant for the rehabilitation of the historic Riverside Black School located on River Street and Kerens Ave, in Elkins, WV.

For more information contact The Riverside School Project, at P.O. Box 1184, Elkins 26241, or by E-mail at riversideschoolproject@yahoo.com . You can also see the website at www.riversidebluesfest.com celebrating the annual Elkins blues festival centered on the school.

History:

Riverside school was built somewhere between 1905 and 1911 originally designed for eight grades, in 1925 a second story was built to expand the school to (10) ten grades. However, in 1928, higher-grade levels were achieved and Riverside became a four-year high school and was proclaimed a legacy of WV Black Academic Excellence. The School closed in 1954 due to desegregation and been used for various purposes’ including a mechanics shop and storage facility. Stabilization has been achieved in part through funding received by the WV Cultural Facilities and Capitol Resources Grant and the current rehabilitation project is funded in part by the WV State Development Grant. The Mission of the Riverside School Association is to save and preserve the old school as an African-American Archives, Museum, and Heritage center. RSA purchased the building in 2009.

The first group picture of Riverside students after 1911

Additional Riverside School Images:   

Graduation at Riverside School

A Riverside School Basketball team

The Riverside School Glee Club  (date unknown)

Gathering for church - Riverside School in Background

Two views of Riverside School in 2009: