The Center for the Arts at Robert E. Lee School

Lee School becomes Center for the Arts

Students of local history and patrons
of the arts are being presented with a
rare opportunity to preserve local history
while simultaneously nurturing future
generations in the performing
and visual arts.

PAST

The Robert E. Lee School has served the community of Paris, Tennessee for more than a century. Generations of children spent their days reading, writing, laughing and playing in the large classrooms, lunchroom and playground.

In 1975, students moved to a new school, and the building fell quiet. The Paris Special School District, which occupied a portion of the building, moved in 2001 and Lee School was left without purpose, quietly awaiting its next assignment for the people of Paris.

PRESENT

In 2001, a number of historically minded Henry County organizations formed a committee dedicated to preserving Lee School. By spring the Robert E. Lee School Association (RELSA) had filed a charter and begun soliciting funds to restore and find a purpose for the building. Their mission, 1) to restore and preserve this historic building and grounds; 2) to make Lee School a useful and viable part of our contemporary culture in Paris and Henry County. In 2002, the school building and land were deeded to RELSA. A feasibility study, funded in part by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was completed and possible uses for the facility were recommended.

To date, several capital projects, such as new soffits and gutters and a roof, have been finished to arrest deterioration. Grants of more than $23,000 have been spent on such exterior projects. Estimates have been generated for heating and air conditioning installations, classroom/restroom rehabilitation, window repair, landscaping and parking, wiring, and painting. In addition, everyone wants to restore the Bell Tower.

In 2003, the Robert E. Lee School Association Board chose an initial purpose for the historic building. Lee School will become a Center for the Arts.

FUTURE

The Center for the Arts at Robert E. Lee School will combine both visual and performing arts in a lifelong learning center for all ages. The vision for the facility includes:

classes such as painting, poetry, photography, music, dance, theatre, and creative writing taking place in the center's large classrooms;

extensive areas for practice, performance and storage;

generous exhibit space down the long, spacious hallways;

the formation of partnerships with nearby universities;

the recruiting of master teachers and lecturers;

summer enrichment camps for area youth;

partnerships with Elderhostel programming.

G0ALS FOR 2004

Develop specific plans for establishing and managing the Center for the Arts
Expand RELSA membership base
Begin fundraising for the Center for the Arts
Continue to seek grant money for both restoration of Robert E. Lee School
and the development for the Center for the Arts
Continue building rehabilitation

For more information or to make a donation,
email Ray Harding or Suzanne Looney Richter

An investment opportunity of historic proportions
Robert E. Lee School has served Paris and Henry County for over a century.
In addition to preserving this irreplaceable landmark,
your donation will support future generations of students of all ages.
We are committed to making Robert E. Lee School a lifelong learning center
for the visual and performing arts in Paris and Henry County.

Donations may be mailed to Robert E. Lee School Association (RELSA), P.O. Box 667, Paris, TN 38242.
Please make checks payable to Robert E. Lee School Association or RELSA.

Recommended websites:
Paris-Henry County Heritage Center
Comprehensive website for E.W. Grove High School alumni