Why Start at the Top?

Why Start at the Top? Restoration is not the same as re-building. You must stop the deterioration so you can save, or preserve, as much of the original structure as possible. The original materials and methods -- even with age -- are what give the structure its character, its uniqueness and its historical personality. It reminds the students of the place where they studied. It lets you, a visitor, know that this is a special place. That special place must stay dry so we started at the Harrington Graded School by replacing the damaged roof to stop rain and debris from entering the schoolhouse.

Now that we have a roof over our heads – so to speak
we can begin work on the rest of the schoolhouse:

[  ] - Shoring up the foundation and brick piers

[  ] - Repairing termite damaged walls

[  ] - Replacing historic windows and “breeze windows”

[  ] - Repairing doors

[  ] - Returning chairs, desks, blackboards, pot bellied stove, and vintage piano

[  ] - Recalling the stories, songs, and lessons taught in this one room schoolhouse

We can proceed only with your help.

OUR MISSION is to open the school in September 2013 as a museum and historic site about our island’s Gullah Geechee heritage and a community center and focal point for the 13-acre Harrington Community Park.

We can succeed thanks to your support. OUR GOAL: $ 325,000

For more information on how you can help, go to www.ssiheritagecoalition.org, or call us at 912-634-0330.

The Friends of Harrington School, Inc, is 501-c-3 nonprofit organization and your donations are tax-deductible.