Franklin Street School Project

Read all about the latest developments in our Franklin St. School blog!

MAKING A COMEBACK

Franklin Street School Returning as a Community Cultural Center

Restoration of Franklin Street School is a Project of the Center for Community Arts, Cape May, New Jersey.

These photos of the Franklin Street School by Wendel White were on exhibit at The Noyes Museum of Art

Relic of Cape May’s Past

Franklin Street School opened in September 1928 as an elementary school for Cape May’s African American children. Twenty years later, with segregation banned by New Jersey’s new constitution, the building’s use was changed.

Since then, Franklin Street School has stood as a reminder of Cape May’s past. It evokes memories of deep division and, at the same time, bears witness to the magnitude and vitality of Cape May’s African American community.

Today, the once grand Franklin Street School is distinguished as a contributing building to the Cape May National Register Historic District. It also is designated by the State of New Jersey as an African American Historic Site.

A Place to Shout About

In 2002, the Center for Community Arts (CCA) acquired a 25-year lease on Franklin Street School from the City of Cape May. Since then, CCA has been grooming the historic building for its comeback in late 2008 as the Franklin Street School Community Cultural Center.

Total cost of the rehabilitation is projected at $3 million.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Black United Fund of New Jersey funded project planning.

Project architects are from Historic Building Architects, LLC, a Trenton firm that specializes in historic preservation. Michael Calafati, AIA, is principal-in-charge.

Exposing Greatness Under the Grit

A number of critical repairs to Franklin Street School already have been completed. Still, additional improvements are needed. Individuals, businesses, and government agencies are providing support for these essential repairs.

Once restoration is complete, Franklin Street School will serve as the Franklin Street School Community Cultural Center. It will house:

• Center for Community Arts’ Youth Arts, Artist-in-Residence, Art Programs for Adults, Community History Program, and Art and History Exhibits
• City of Cape May Recreational Programs
• The John and Janet Nash African American History Archive
• The Archive of the Greater Cape May Historical Society
• Programs designed by other community organizations.

Upgraded and barrier-free, this Cape May landmark will be a treasure of history and art. It will serve as the centerpiece of CCA’s African American Heritage Walking Tours. Inside, it will feature a permanent exhibit on the history of Franklin Street School, and on the key contributions of African Americans to Cape May.

Restoration of Franklin Street School has earned recognition for CCA board and staff members as Emerging Preservation Leaders from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

For information about the restoration, or to make a contribution, contact Steve Bacher, Executive Director. All gifts are tax-deductible. Company matching gifts can be applied to contributions. Contact:

CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ARTS
712 Lafayette Street
Cape May, New Jersey 08204
(609) 884-7525

• Click here to get further information on donor recognition opportunities for major donors!

The Franklin Street School Rehabilitation Project is made possible by a capital grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund, the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Sturdy Savings Bank, the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Delaware River and Bay Authority, and many other local businesses, individuals and families.