Orange Street School building revitalized to host cultural arts and STEM based programs

By Staff Report, posted Feb 25, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

The Orange Street School building before renovations began. Photo taken in 2023.

The city of Fayetteville is set to host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly, renovated Orange Street School building, located at 600 Orange Street in Fayetteville on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.

The restored historical building will support public recreational programs, including STEM educational activities and cultural arts. These programs will be targeted toward youth in the city and Cumberland County.

“This ribbon cutting marks a celebration of history, education, and community progress. This historic site, once a cornerstone of learning, now stands as a symbol of resilience and opportunity in Fayetteville, said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin in a press release.

Orange Street School, built in 1915, was one of the first publicly funded schools for African-American children in Fayetteville. This large, two-story, brick facility marked a major improvement over the typical small wood frame structures commonly used for Black public education across the region.

The school was the origin of E.E. Smith High school which began on the second floor of the building in 1927. When the high school relocated out of the building, Orange Street School served as an elementary school until 1951 and then, briefly as a junior high school from 1951 – 1953.

From 1953 – 1983, the building served as the Cumberland County Board of Education’s offices and storage. The school was then deeded in 1986 to the Orange Street School Restoration and Historical Association.

“The Orange Street School is more than just a building—it is a testament to the strength, perseverance, and contributions of those who walked its halls,” added Colvin in a press release. "Preserving this historic landmark ensures that its legacy of education and progress continues to inspire future generations.”

In an effort to preserve the historical school and due to its significance in the community, the city’s Economic and Community Development Department requested the City Council to allocate $100,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds to help stop the deterioration of the building. Funds were approved by City Council January 2021.

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation then secured $1 million in funding from a North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management Capital Infrastructure Grant to renovate and restore the historical building. Planning and renovations started Summer of 2022.

In December of 2023, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Fayetteville to fund Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation in purchasing furniture, fixtures and equipment for the historic building's ongoing renovation. Cumberland County allocated $350,000 towards the project.

“The restoration of the Orange Street School reflects our community’s commitment to preserving its history while investing in the future of Cumberland County and its youth,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere in a press release. “I applaud the collaborative efforts of the City of Fayetteville, the Orange Street School Restoration and Historical Association, and our state and county partners in bringing this important vision to life.”

An agreement was signed between the city and the Orange Street School Restoration and Historical Association to accomplish this significant task.

The Orange Street School Restoration project included exterior and interior improvements.

Exterior renovations included improved security fencing and landscaping, roof replacement, driveway and accessibility improvement and replacing the picnic shelter.

Interior Improvements included structural improvements to stabilize the facility, painting of the facility, upgrades to kitchen and restrooms, installing a recording studio, adding new lighting fixtures and window shades and all new furniture and equipment

Project goals included:

To ensure equitable access for learning opportunities and the utilization of fine arts and scientific resources.
For high quality student outcomes including mastery of 21st century skills in science, technology, engineering and math subjects; artistic endeavors and expression; critical thinking and problem solving; communications and collaboration; creativity and innovation; digital literacy; information and communication technologies; and social and emotional intelligence.
To recognize the diverse experiences of the Black American community and to reflect the broad spectrum of social and cultural activities of the Fayetteville community; to cherish traditions and beliefs that the past should inform the future; and that bringing together diverse groups of people can create new perceptions and approaches.

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