Atlanta Grade School Friends
Restoring the historic Atlanta-Miller Grade School in Atlanta, Texas.
Atlanta Grade School Friends
Restoring the historic Atlanta-Miller Grade School in Atlanta, Texas.
The mission of Atlanta Grade School Friends is to restore the historic Atlanta-Miller Grade School located on Miller Street in Atlanta, Texas. From 1936 to 1974 the school provided a safe and welcoming environment for Atlanta's children and their dedicated teachers. In addition to renovation of the building and the continued maintenance thereof, Atlanta Grade School Friends oversees the development and management of educational programs and related activities for all ages that enhance the building's usefulness.
Atlanta Grade School Friends is currently strengthening its organizational infrastructure in preparation for a major gift fundraising effort to fully restore Atlanta-Miller Grade School. The website has been modernized thanks to school alumnus Chris Wood and we have launched a monthly digital newsletter. Our Facebook page and new YouTube channel are keeping our constituents connected and informed. The highly regarded firm Architexas has been hired to guide the school's restoration and to assist in securing National Register status. We envision the restored school as a place for community education, meetings, and potentially workforce training. With that in mind, we also intend to fully outfit the school with the latest communication technologies. If you have questions, reach out to us by email.
Atlanta-Miller Grade School located at 106½ W. Miller Street in Atlanta, Texas is a unique Works Progress Administration (WPA) era school building dating from 1936. It took 120 days to complete construction of the school, and this was ably accomplished by the Hardy Brothers of Texarkana. Included in the original design were six large classrooms, restrooms, teacher's lounge, an auditorium, and administrative office spaces. Additional classrooms were added later including a section called the first-grade wing, but the latter was ultimately demolished.
Atlanta-Miller Grade School was in use until the mid-1970s. Between 1975 and 1980, it transitioned to become the Atlanta Multi-Purpose Center and was put to good use until 1990. From 1990 to 2000 - or ten years - the school was used for community storage. During this time, the building fell into decline as it received no maintenance. Water damage and neglect threatened the school's survival.
Many Atlanta-Miller Grade School former students and supporters banded together to save the now historic school from destruction. The property was purchased, and both physical maintenance and clean-up by volunteers and financial contributions helped stabilize the school (and the land on which it sits). This was done by the nonprofit organization, Atlanta Grade School Friends. The nonprofit officially received its IRS designation in 2003, but volunteer work began as early as 2001. Atlanta Grade School Friends recently purchased a piece of property adjacent to the building, which will eventually serve as an off-street parking lot.
In 2006, Atlanta-Miller Grade School received an historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission. The marker has been installed next to the front entrance of the school, along with a flagpole. We are currently working on securing a marker from the National Historic Landmarks Program of the National Parks Service. In 2003, Atlanta-Miller Grade School was removed from the "most endangered" historic sites list of Preservation Texas, as substantial progress toward restoration has been made.
In 2006, Atlanta-Miller Grade School received an historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission. We are now working on securing a marker from the National Historic Landmarks Program of the National Parks Service. The volunteers of Atlanta Grade School Friends maintain strong ties with the Texas Historical Commission. And, we are working to build new partnerships with organizations like the Texas Forest Trail Region in order to more fully engage visitors and people interested in history and historic preservation.
Atlanta Grade School Friends is pleased to have a profile on GuideStar.
Atlanta-Miller Grade School was constructed in 1936 during the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This is, incidentally, 100 years after Texas became a state. The original building project was completed in 120 days and consisted of six large classrooms, restrooms, teacher's lounge, and administrative offices. An addition designed to add four classrooms was completed a couple of years later, commonly called the first-grade wing. Two more classrooms were added about 20 years later.
The WPA had the intent to finish buildings and move on to the next project and paid little heed to drainage. This caused the building to endure years of water draining into the crawl space and, consequently, damaging the substructure of the building. When the nonprofit Atlanta Grade School Friends was established over 20 years ago, the City of Atlanta had condemned the building because of the unsafe nature of the floors and supporting walls. We began our efforts by stabilizing the structure with cables and support materials. The effort was somewhat successful, but the natural flow of water continued to undermine our efforts. Many years passed with only limited efforts made to move the project forward.
In 2017, Kevin Stingley, a retired educator whose father was a past principal at the school, took it upon himself to begin clearing the debris from the school and stripping out added walls not original to the building. Mr. Stingley re-energized the project and the volunteers of Atlanta Grade School Friends began to assist him to assist him by lending their time and raising funds. We found a contractor familiar with historical restoration, Addrei Moore, who began working on the project in earnest. The first-grade wing was a total loss and had to be deconstructed. The salvaged materials are being utilized elsewhere in the building. This includes around 7,000 bricks manufactured locally as well as original pine flooring.
We had the topography graded to move the flow of water away from the structure which dried the space under the building for the first time since 1936. Mr. Moore was able to completely refurbish the substructure which turned out to be a major task. Many areas required piers, floor joists, and sub-flooring to bring it back to code. We had a new roof installed on the building as well as electrical service sufficient to meet our future needs. The walls were repaired, plastered, and primed. The windows have been temporarily repaired and the front door has been restored. We have ordered the remaining exterior doors and will soon have them in place. Our next efforts include restoration of restrooms, electrical wiring, and the addition of a HVAC system. A parking lot and sidewalk will be included soon to increase accessibility to the building.
The Atlanta Grade School Friends are at a crossroads to decide which section to finish out for the next phase of the project. We would like to be able to utilize this next phase as an ongoing fundraising source to complete the entire project by renting out office or event space. The community has shown great interest in what we are accomplishing and expressed gratitude regarding this part of their history being preserved.
- Danny Stanley, T. D. Stanley LLC, Treasurer of Atlanta Grade School Friends and Project Manager
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Stay tuned as we add photos to this section of our website!
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 851
Atlanta, Texas 75551
Our physical address is:
106½ W. Miller Street
Atlanta, Texas 75551
Tours of Atlanta-Miller Grade School may be made by appointment. Kindly use our contact form to reach us.
There are several ways you can support Atlanta Grade School friends: donate online, mail a check, or planned giving.
We also accept donations through Donor Advised Funds.
Alternatively, you may send your check to Atlanta Grade School Friends at:
P.O. Box 851
Atlanta, Texas 75551
You can make a lasting gift to Atlanta Grade School Friends through your Will and/or estate plan. We urge you to consult your professional advisor for the best planned giving option for you and your family. For quick reference:
I herby give, devise and bequeath [insert amount in dollars or percentage of estate] to Atlanta Grade School Friends, a qualified charitable organization at the following address: P.O. Box 851, Atlanta, Texas 75551, Federal Tax ID #46-0492043, for the benefit of Atlanta Grade School Friends.
Questions? Use the contact form on this website to reach us. We deeply appreciate your considering Atlanta Grade School Friends.
Atlanta Grade School Friends banks with Red River Credit Union in Atlanta, Texas. Your online donation goes directly and securely to our account at Red River Credit Union. We also have a relationship with Wells Fargo for major gifts and for donations of non-cash assets. Susan Crosby is our liaison and she is pleased to assist you.
We also appreciate the trustworthy support of the following.
