West Plains Bank and Trust Company recently donated $5,000 to the Lincoln School Project.
Lincoln School, on Washington Avenue near Abe Taylor Street, was built in 1920 and served as the only Black school in West Plains until 1954, when it integrated with the larger school district following the landmark Supreme Court case Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan. Renovation and fundraising efforts are being led by West Plains residents Crockett and Tonya Oaks to restore the 103-year-old building, which they intend will become a cultural center for the community. Once complete, the space will serve as a home for events and offer educational resources that honor the building and all it symbolizes.
“The restoration of the Lincoln School building will offer a deeper look into an important piece of our community’s history,” shared West Plains Bank and Trust Company President/CEO David M. Gohn. We are proud to support and bring awareness to this campaign, and I know [Crockett and Tonya] Oaks will preserve the space in a manner which honors the stories and lives of those who spent time learning there.”
The estimated cost of the project is $350,000. To learn more, or to donate, visit lincolnschoolproject.com and like and follow @lincolnschoolproject on Facebook for updates.
