ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga.-- The heritage is as rich as the vegetation around it. The Harrington School House was started by freed slaves in the 20's and hosted grades 1-7 until desegregation in the 1960s.
In 1968 it was converted to a day care center and used for that purpose until 1970.
"There were 3 neighborhoods on the island that had black people. And when we first started coming there was definitely a black population, which now has very little left," Phyllis Sherman said.
Sherman lives in Minnesota, but spends winters on St. Simons Island. She couldn't be happier about Harrington getting a fresh start.
'I think it's a grand idea," she continued.
St. Simons Land Trust now owns the property. The group did some preservation of the building years ago, but the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition wants to take it a step further.
There's plans to completely re-vamp it, and put a park and parking lot next to it for all to enjoy. sherman believes it's necessary to preserve the very history that started it.
"The uniqueness of it will attract visitors," she said.
Folks don't have to wait long for the project. The Harrington School will be back as a museum in September of this year.
Organizers still need $350,000 to finish renos. If you'd like to donate,
click here.
