WAKULLA COUNTY, FL — Wakulla County is asking for public input on what to do with the Wakulla Education Center, formerly known as Shadeville High School, a more than 22-acre property with deep significance to the African American community.
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Shadeville High School was established in 1931 and served as the only high school for African Americans in Wakulla County through the late 1960s. The property was transferred to the county from the school board earlier this year.
That history is meaningful to many in the African American community in Wakulla County, as there are still people who remember it as their school. Members of the Wakulla County Christian Coalition say the buildings on the property should be preserved.
"We don't want them to be forgotten, so that's one reason we want our input put on it,” said Robert Manning.
Neighbors say they see how expanding recreation on the property could benefit the county, but they also want to see the site preserved.
"It was important because of the fact [that] nothing was being done to recognize African Americans in the county, so this school took that place for that. It really did. We were introduced to the arts and all of the famous inventors. And people that we had in the African American culture was introduced to us at this school, and that's the only way that we got it,” said Jennie V. Jones.
"I have so many memories, and I got a chance to do a little tour...And every time I went to a classroom or a specific spot, it touched my heart, because my memory could go back to being a kid and all the great memories I had,” Manning explained.
"A place like this is important if you really understand African American history, and I'm talking about pre-Jim Crow, all of that. Where we went from, you're not allowed to read, right, it's illegal to read a book, to having an institution that taught us to read, having an institution that taught us mathematics, having an institution that taught us how to pull ourselves up, how to be productive members of the American society, and that is what this kind of stands for,” explained Damon Rich.
On the public comments website, neighbors have suggested a variety of uses for the 22-acre property, including a new home for 4-H, a recreational and sports facility, a community pool, another school, an arts center, and a museum.
The future of the Wakulla Education Center should reflect the needs and vision of the entire community, and we encourage all residents to participate in the planning process. Proposed uses currently being discussed include expanded recreational programming, a soccer complex, Agricultural Extension and 4-H programs, enhanced educational opportunities, gym improvements, and development of the site as a community center open to all. Community input is vital, and residents are encouraged to submit ideas and feedback through the online portal so they can be considered as part of the final development plan.
"Now, one of the things that we have put in front of them is there is at least one historical building that is on this site, that they would turn that building over to us to create a museum that honors the history of the site. We would staff it, we would pursue the grants, and we would run that museum on this site so that people could know about the history of this location and African Americans in Wakulla County,” said Rich.
The county is accepting all feedback through May 29th. You can submit your feedback HERE.
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