LURAY, Va., Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — In Virginia's picturesque Page Valley a growing group of diverse local residents are making more noise and progress as they counter potential bulldozer sounds for the Luray Graded and High School. Working to save the historic 132-year-old Luray Graded and High School atop the little town's skyline is the citizens' group and non-profit, Preserve Our School Foundation, Inc.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130802/PH57706-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130802/PH57706-b )
The noise made by "POSF" is on the increase. Page County Supervisors want to tear down the school and foundation members want the supervisors to give them a year to find new uses and renovators. POSF president Chester Taylor points out several positives happening within just a few days, "We've had unprecedented positive activity. The Page County Planning Commission voted 8-1 to recommend to supervisors that they give the foundation a chance to prepare options for the landmark. The leadership of a statewide preservation group will meet Monday to vote on presenting the Page County Board of Supervisors with an option to purchase the school. Today, the POSF leadership hosted a luncheon and tour of the school for noted Virginia preservation architect and historic developer William Huber, renowned for his restorative efforts on the O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, the Lincoln Theatre and the General Francis Marion Hotel, both in Marion. Huber and partner plan to come back to the county administrator with a proposal. There are professionals looking at the school as both a restoration and tax credit project. We want the Page County Supervisors to look at all the positives that restoration may have over removal."
POSF set up an email that people from anywhere can use to voice support: Email. "There is a large contingent of local citizens who support this, but we need to remember Luray visitors may want a say about the alteration of the town's skyline and historical perspective, as tourism is vital to Page County," commented POSF member Cornelia Graves Spain who actually works in tourism.
Interest in the school has been growing mainly due to a statewide historical alert sent by officials in Richmond last week. Supervisors previously said they planned to tear down the school but have said they will listen to the preservation foundation at the board's work session on August 6. Preserve Our School Foundation is hoping to fill the meeting with supporters.
Preserve Our School Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit Virginia corporation founded in early 2013 by a cross section of local residents interested in saving the 132-year old Luray Graded and High School.
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT INFORMATION
Foundation Contact:
Chester Taylor, President
Preserve Our School Foundation, Inc.
P. O. Box 104
Luray, VA 23927
Email
540.743.7931
Press contact:
Frank Timberlake
President, RF Timberlake & Company, Inc.
Marketing Communications Consultants
2513 Gray Hawk Trail
Zebulon, NC 27597
Email
919.269.4300