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Group needs $200,000 to restore segregated schoolhouse into museum & affordable housing center

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — There’s a major effort underway in St. Augustine to preserve a little-known piece of African American history.

The Homeless Coalition is hoping to renovate the New Augustine Colored Elementary School #36 in West Augustine and turn part of it into a museum.

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Debi Redding, executive director of the Homeless Coalition, gave Action News Jax a tour of what was once a schoolhouse from 1901 to 1959.

“All the students were up here. Multiple grades were up here,” said Redding.

The schoolhouse, which sits on North McLaughlin Street, was the only public elementary school in West Augustine during segregation.

Pastor Carolyn Shorter helps run the small church that operates out of the building today.

“This is a building that’s really been forgotten. This building is a historical landmark,” said Shorter.

The Homeless Coalition is working to raise money to help renovate the school and turn part of it into a museum.

“To really do a great job we need a couple hundred thousand dollars. So that’s our goal,” said Redding.

Some of that money would also go toward turning some rooms into affordable housing for those struggling to make ends meet. Redding said they also plan to include a support center in the building where they help people apply for SNAP benefits and other services.

On Thursday, the Homeless Coalition board met to strategize on how it can raise $200,000.

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“Without the funding there’s not much we can do. It’s going to sit here, and our fear is that eventually it’s going to be sold and demolished,” said Redding.

So far, the effort has received some donations but organizers are nowhere near their goal.

They’re hoping the community will step up to help save this piece of valuable history.

Aside from the financial help, the Homeless Coalition is also asking the community to donate historical artifacts.

The organization is asking former students to donate things like old report cards or graduation certificates to display in the museum.
If you'd like to donate to help preserve this piece of history, click here, or mail a check to P.O. Box 3422 St. Augustine, FL 32084.