July 26th 2024.
The oldest school building in New Jersey has a rich history that may soon be celebrated through a new museum. Located in Newark, the State Street Public School has stood for an impressive 179 years and holds significant importance as the last remaining location of the city's former school for Black students. It was also home to the first Black principal in the school system, making it a crucial part of the city's Black history.
Despite being vacant for several decades, there are efforts in place to turn the building into a space where people can come together and learn about its significance. This has been spearheaded by Marian Bolden, who has been working towards this goal even before her retirement in 2008. She believes that it is important to preserve the building and its history for future generations.
In 2019, the property was purchased by the Hanini Group, a Newark-based developer, as part of an initiative to revitalize vacant buildings. This was during a period when the New Jersey Department of Education had taken over control of the district. However, with the district now back in the hands of local administrators, there is a goal to reclaim sold buildings and turn them into spaces for learning about Black history.
Thanks to the efforts of the district's first top administrator, Roger León, the State Street School has been reclaimed and a settlement agreement has been made with the Hanini Group. This agreement outlines the district's responsibility to pay for the building's redevelopment into the Newark Public Schools Museum. The project will take place in three increments, with a total cost of $4.5 million.
According to a document from the Park Service, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It was also the place where the first Black principal, James Miller Baxter Jr., was hired as a teacher in 1864 at the age of 19. He went on to become the principal of the all-Black school until its closure in 1909, marking the end of segregated schools in Newark. This was 45 years before the Supreme Court's landmark decision to end "separate but equal" provisions nationwide.
While many are excited about the redevelopment of the State Street School into a museum, there are also concerns about the project's costs and impact on education in the city. Some have questioned the use of tax dollars for this project instead of investing in education. Others have raised concerns about the building's condition and whether the project is worth it.
Despite these concerns, there is still enthusiasm for the museum and its potential to shed light on untold stories. The museum consultant, Claudia Ocello, believes that it is important to bring these stories to light, but also acknowledges the challenges that come with maintaining an old building. Meanwhile, the museum's collection of memorabilia and artifacts, currently stored at Malcolm X Shabazz High School, gives a glimpse into the school's past and what could be on display in the future.
While there is no set timeline for the museum project, it is an exciting development that will add to the city's rich history and provide a space for the community to come together and learn.
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