Existing entry on north elevation before renovation began.

The original Wechsler School building was erected in 1894, being the first brick public school building in Mississippi for African American children and was paid for from the proceeds of a bond issue voted by the white citizens of Meridian in 1888. The Meridian Public School District removed the building from service in 1983. The facility was named for Rabbi Abraham Wechsler who spear headed the drive to pass the bond issue to get the building built.

The current condition of the 1894 building has not been improved since it has not been used as a school. The 1894 building, as the original school is known, is structurally sound. However, there are signs of deterioration that need to be addressed. A new roof needs to be installed and areas of the fascia and eave trim need to be replaced. In the process of the roof replacement, the gutters and downspouts will be reworked for proper storm drainage. In addition to this work, the existing wood windows need to be repaired or replaced in order to weatherproof the building. This week will be thru the Dept. of Archives and History.

North Elevation - 1894 Building before renovation began.

The 1914 building shows signs of deterioration as well, which need to be addressed in the near future in order to save this structure as part of the complex. The 1951 building, has recently received a new roof because of a Riley Foundation Grant which was one of several grants from the Riley Foundation that has helped the Wechsler Renovation process.

For future work, the mechanical and electrical systems need to be addressed. The interior spaces are intact for the most part as per the original construction. Relatively minor alternations have been performed which primarily consist of subdividing classrooms for office use or other support functions. The 1951 building has been used as a community arts center and can still be used now in that capacity. It will get a new HVAC system because of a grant received from a Building Fund Grant group which was received from the Mississippi Arts Commission.

North East Elevation - 1951 Building before renovation began.

The Development of Schools For Blacks, In Meridian

WESCHLER
The original Weschler school building was erected in 1894, being the first brick public school building built in Mississippi for Negro children and was paid for from proceeds of a bond issue voted by the white citizens of Meridian. It was named for Rabbi Abraham Wechsler on request of the Negroes of Meridian because he led the movement to provide public school facilities for their children.

Mr. E.H. Triplett served as Principal of the Wechsler school from 1888-1896: Mr. O.C. Garrett from 1896-1902, when Mr. William Hopkins was appointed in 1902 and served until 1916. In 1916-1917, there was an administration change and Mr. R.S. Groosley served until 1918. In 1918-1919 Mr. Thomas J. Harris was transferred to the Wechsler School and the 11th grade was added, and in 1919-1920 the 12th grade was added.

During Mr. Harris' administration at Wechsler, several new departments were added as follows: Home Economics, Manual Training, Stenography, Band, Athletics, Library, and Evening Classes.

In the Fall of 1939 Mr. Harris was named principal of the newly constructed T.J. Harris High School, a school he had sensed the need for and requested. Mrs. Lydia Carr was then Principal at Wechsler. She served from 1937 to 1945. At her death, Mrs. Jennie Ruth Crump was named principal.

From the time of its construction, Wechsler continued to grow, meet the needs of Black children, and serve the community. The Meridian Public School System had the first approved classes for children with special needs and it was housed at Wechsler and taught by Ms Fredna Lewis.

From 1970-1978 Wechsler was used for kindergarten classes only, however the early childhood development classes continued until spring 1982.

Community organizations have utilized the Wechsler building over the years. Mahogany Performing Arts, a community theater, used the auditorium to present its plays. Head Start used classrooms on the first floor for several years. The Senior Citizens Nutrition Center is currently housed in a portion of the building.

In the fall of 1984, a group of citizens approached the Meridian Public School board of Education requesting to used the Wechsler building as a community arts center. In June 1989, a Wechsler Community Arts Center Board of Directors was formed. Soon a constitution and by-laws were adopted. Application was made to the State of Mississippi and the group was granted a charter.

In 1994, the Meridian Public School Board deeded the Wechsler Community Art Center Association and the Wechsler Board assumed full responsibility for the building.

Our Motto: "Save Wechsler, Preserve Our Heritage."
Where do we go from here?
Our objectives are:
1. To completely renovate all parts of the building for community use.
2. To provide programs for cultural, educational and recreational needs of adults and youth of the community.

MDAH Announces African American Grant Awards

The Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History has announced awards of grant funds from the African American Heritage Program authorized by the 2000 Legislature. The Legislature allocated $2.8 million to assist local governments and non-profit organizations in preserving and interpreting African American heritage sites throughout the state.

The Department of Archives and History, directed by the Legislature to review and evaluate the grant applications, received 51 applications requesting a total of more than $16 million. The Board of Trustees was able to approve funding for only a small percentage of the projects.

Department director Elbert R. Hilliard noted the historic significant of this grant program. "This is the first time the Legislature has appropriated funds specifically for a statewide African American grant program. The appropriation demonstrates the state's strong commitment to preserving and interpreting Mississippi's rich African American heritage. From the large number of impressive applications the Department received, it is clear that organizations around the state are working with great energy and vision to preserve this heritage. We regret that many worthy projects had to go unfunded."

H.B. 1682, which authorized this grant program, specified that matching funds be provided for projects selected for funding under the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Save America's Treasures program. The Board of Trustees, therefore, awarded the Isaiah T. Montgomery House in Mound Bayou $87,500 and the Scott Ford House in Jackson $50,000. Among the grants awarded by the Board of Trustees is Wechsler School, Meridian for exterior stabilization and restoration.

Thanks to grants from the Riley Foundation, the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Department of Archives History and the hard work of the Wechsler Board of Directors renovations are now going forward. These grants have or will allow the Wechsler Project to repair the roof, repair broken windows, and install an HVAC system in the 1951 building and stabilize the 1894 building. For more information to get involved: Contact

Mr. Jesse (Jay) Brewster
P.O. Box 2861
Meridian, MS 39302
Ph 601-483-4410
fax 601-483-0608
e-mail jessejbrewsterjr@bellsouth.net
or connieroyal@meridianms.org

New windows, new paint, and cracks in the wall being filled in are a few of the repairs being made during the stabilization process.

New Photos as of April 22, 2004:

Phase Two: Claiming the Interior
-Renovate auditorium and construct new restrooms at first floor of 1951 Building
-Provide new mechanical and electrical systems at first floor of 1951 Building
Phase Two Total Project Cost: $325,960.84*

Phase Three: Increasing the Support
-Renovate dining hall/multipurpose room at 1951 Building
-Provide new mechanical and electrical systems at ground level of 1951 Building
-Construct new restrooms at ground level of 1951 Building
-Provide secure storage under stage and at basement level
-Modify entry/exit for accessibility at ground level of 1951 Building
Phase Three Total Project Cost: $160,968.70*

Phase Four: Broadening the Possibilities
-Create accessible route between buildings
-Provide fire-rated exit stairs
-Provide passengerelevator
Phase Four Total Project Cost: $224,611.22*

Phase Five: Approaching a New Use
-Provide new ADA-compliant restrooms
-Complete all interior finish work
-Install new mechanical and electrical systems
Phase Five Total Project Cost: $355,821.34*

Phase Six: Reclaiming the Original Wechsler School
-Provide new ADA-ompliant restrooms at the second floor of the Original Wechsler School and the 1951 Building
-Complete all interior finish work
-Install new mechanical and electrical systems for the second floors of the Original Wechsler School and the 1951 Building
Phase Six Total Project Cost: $384,430.28*

Phase Seven: Including the 1914 Building
-Complete exterior restoration and renovation work
-Modify entry/exit for accessibility
-Provide new parking area
Phase Seven Total Project Cost: $169,395.60*

Phase Eight: Providing a Workplace
-Provide leasable office space
-Provide new mechanical and electrical systems
-Provide new code-compliant restroom
Phase Eight Total Project Cost: $85,148.88*

Phase Nine: Making a Bridge
-Modify breezeway catwalk for accessibility between the Original Wechsler School and the 1914 Building
-Provide new code-compliant stairs
Phase Nine Total Project Cost: $98,358.27*

Phase Ten: Creating a Whole
-Renovate and restore interior of 1914 Building
-Provide new code-compliant restrooms
-Provide new mechanical and electrical systems
Phase Ten Total Project Cost: $394,766.89*

The project team has divided the work of the Master Plan into ten manageable phases accomodating both the immediate needs and future goals of the Wechlser Community Arts Association. The quanitity and scope of the phasing divisions were generated by the consideration of a logical construction process with regard to the use of the building and a feasible cost to be raised by the Wechslerians and/or secured through grants. This concludes the phasing of the Master Plan and provides the Wechslerians and the community with a useful complex of important buildings to build on the futures of individuals and generations to come.

*Note: The cost projections are based on current cost trends, and include escalation factors. We would note that the preliminary, based on current understanding of the scope of work, and will need to be confirmed as the construction projects progress.