Wyoming High School To Be Restored
By Elizabeth McNamara | Online Only | May 26, 2010
In 2005, consultants hired by the School Facilities Commission arrived at the Natrona County High School in Casper, Wyo., intending to assess the condition of the 1927 facility. They "came in and listed all the problems in the school," recalls Mary Humstone, vice president of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, "but then said nothing needed maintenance because everything was going to be quote-unquote replaced." Ever since, students, alumni, neighbors, and local preservationists have feared that the historic school would be demolished—especially since at least 20 historically significant schools have been razed within the last decade.
Earlier this month, however, those fears were allayed when the commission pledged instead to modernize and update the school without compromising its historic integrity. The decision, says Ken Daraie, direction of the commission, has to do with a general shift in policy, from demolition to rehabilitation.
Natrona County High School was designed by the architectural firm of Garbutt, Weider and Sweeney. The cornerstone was laid in 1924, and the main section of the Collegiate Gothic-style brick building, with notable terra-cotta details, was completed three years later.
Late last year, the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, Cadoma Foundation, and Natrona County Historic Preservation Commission teamed up to make the case, before the school facilities commission and the local school board, that older schools can be renovated using historic tax credits.
"So long as people come to the table with an open mind we can generally come to a consensus," Daraie says. "But I ask people to keep in mind not everything old is worth saving, and those things that are aren't always suitable for schools."
There are, of course, challenges in transforming Natrona into a 21st-century facility. The classrooms are too small, and eight entryways present security concerns, as there is not enough funding to guard each entrance. "Not to mention accessibility issues [for the handicapped]," says architect Kurt Dubbe, who recently visited the school to document its historic features.
The Wyoming School Facilities Commission has pledged nearly $10 million for the first phase of redesign and construction at Natrona. Dubbe, currently busy developing a set of design recommendations, will present his findings to the school district in mid-June. Construction could begin as early as next summer.
"Our position is to retain whatever possible and to use a historic school as a historic school," Dubbe says. "We were pleased the school facilities commission was willing to consider relaxing its guidelines."
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Comments
Submitted by carol at: February 8, 2011
Yay! Love my school and glad to see that others have a love of beautiful buildings and historical value!!
Submitted by Tyler at: June 4, 2010
This is a great story, especially for Historic Wyoming Schools. I used to go to school in Cheyenne, and sadly, the school where I attended kindergarten has been torn down (the historic art deco gem, Corlett Elementary) as have several other historic schools in Cheyenne. Hopefully this will serve as a reminder to the citizens of Wyoming that historic schools are worth saving rather than replacing.
Submitted by Pat at: June 3, 2010
Another battle won! Yippee!