WALTER HERRON TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
Sadly, Taylor Elementary School, a National Register property, was
demolished June 21, 1999 after a two and a half year long fight against the
city of Norfolk. Many thanks to the many of you who helped with various bits of
information, letters to our mayor/newspaper, and general support during these
past years.
Even though we did not prevail, I think we may have made a difference in
the thinking of the city powers, and got some citizens to thinking, and that
was worth the effort.
Thanks again. Alisa Bearov Landrum Parents, Alumni and Friends of
Taylor School Norfolk Preservation Alliance
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Walter Herron Taylor Elementary School, named for the only
Norfolk-born member of General Robert E. Lee's staff, was built in 1917, and
has served for eighty years as the cultural and geographical heart of its
community. It is the oldest public building in Ghent, one of Norfolk's few
remaining historic neighborhoods. Taylor School was designed by John Keevan
Peebles, a noted architect who also designed a number of other significant
buildings in the region, many now demolished. The school served as an emergency
hospital during the tragic flu epidemic of 1918, and Liberty Bonds were sold
from its auditorium. The "tot lot" at the front of the building is
the subject of a Pulitzer Prize-winning poem by Henry Taylor (no relation to
Walter Herron Taylor).
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In spite of its historical and aesthetic significance, Taylor School is now
slated for demolition, along with nine of its original surrounding trees. Due
to an enthusiastic demolition agenda by the city of Norfolk, Taylor School is
also one of the oldest remaining public buildings in a city which is over three
hundred years old. It is that agenda of the city of Norfolk which we are
working hard to reverse. Frankly, there is little left to save. Norfolk's
architectural appearance strongly belies its age: few buildings in the city
pre-date the first World War, and most date from the second half of this
century.
W. H. Taylor Elementary School may well be the turning point for historic
preservation in Norfolk, but time is of the essence!
The School Board of Norfolk has made the decision to demolish Taylor
School in order to replace it with a new building, and we are working against
time. There is bitter controversy over this issue. A number of architects and
engineers have stated publicly that the building is sound, and could be
enlarged and renovated to create a splendid learning environment. However, a
vocal minority have convinced the School Board that newer is better. City
Council has not yet made the final determination of what is to be done with
this historic building, but it appears certain at this time that Council will
soon follow the School Board's recommendation. Demolition could begin at any
time.
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Portrait of Walter Herron Taylor |
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Please write or phone IMMEDIATELY to let the following
persons know that they are making the wrong decision, and tell them why Taylor
School should be renewed to serve future generations:
Mayor Paul D. Fraim,
Suite 1109, City Hall Building,
Norfolk, VA 23501
phone: 757-664-4679
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Councilman Mason C. Andrews
phone: 757-664-4268
Anita Poston, Chairman of the School Board,
800 E. City Hall Ave.,
Norfolk, Virginia 23501
phone: 757-622-9285
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of our newspaper will let our community know that
other communities are watching this process, and might lead our Council to look
at the issue from another perspective:
The Virginian-Pilot, Letters Editor,
P. O. Box 449,
Norfolk, VA 23501-0449
Fax: (757) 446-2051
E-mail: letters@pilotonline.com
You can contact us at:
Parents, Alumni, and Friends of Taylor School
P. O. Box 11656
Norfolk, VA 23517
757-623-5444
E-mail: ablesq@erols.com
ALUMNI ALERT! If you are an alumna/alumnus of Taylor School, please contact
us! Your assistance is extremely valuable in our efforts to save Taylor School,
and we are deeply appreciative of all help received. THANK YOU!
from Parents, Alumni, and Friends of Taylor School
Taylor Elementary School, a National Register property, was demolished June
21, 1999 after a two and a half year long fight against the city of Norfolk.
In August 1998, Taylor School was placed on the National Register of
Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, in spite of opposition by
the city (the property owner).
Our position was that the city, although technically the owner of the
property, in fact holds only legal title; that the citizens of the city are the
true owners. City officials come and go; the next administration might support
the nomination. Perhaps this argument will be of use to other organizations
seeking Register listing for a public building when the political entity
opposes the nomination.
Return to Protect & Preserve
Last revised June 26, 1999