Wechsler School gets lots of attention, again

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Jan. 4, 2004
Work is scheduled to start again Monday at the old Wechsler School.
That's when scaffolding left outside over the holidays will be put to use again by workers with J&J Contractors of Collinsville. They are repairing the exterior of the building, including its doors, windows and roof.
The work, funded by a $385,000 grant from the Department of History and Archives, and a match of $53,000 donated by The Riley Foundation, is expected to be completed in March.
Jesse J. Brewster Jr., president of the Wechsler Community Arts Center Association, said it's only the beginning. He said the group wants to have a model of the school made to illustrate possibilities for the whole project.
Wechsler was the first brick school built for black students in the state. The school was completed in 1894. A wing was added in 1914 and an auditorium and cafeteria in 1951.
Plans are to turn the original part of the school into a museum.
Other ideas for Wechsler include converting a section of the school into a community center with an auditorium and conference rooms. Brewster estimates it will take about $2 million to accomplish all the renovations.
Louis Sutton is president and chief professional officer of United Way of East Mississippi, which sponsors the local AmeriCorps Rebuilds Mississippi project.
Sutton said AmeriCorps volunteers are scheduled to paint, plaster and do other projects inside the building J&J Construction is working on by the first part of February.