Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Reconstruction

***
Before I reveal the real subject of this post, I will lure you in with a beautiful Outer Banks sunset, (or is this a sunrise? I can't remember...) :

[Update: that's a sunset. How do I know? I managed to capture the earth shadow!]

I'm such a cheater, though -- this picture wasn't even taken this year -- it's from last year's vacation. But, it's so pretty, I feel compelled to share it. We did stay at the same house both times, so the view is essentially the same.


The real subject of this post is a sort of before-and-after, through-the-years pictorial. You see, as I've mentioned before, I'm quite fascinated with old, abandoned buildings. And there has been an old, dilapidated building on the drive to and from the Outer Banks for as long as I can remember. So, starting in 2004, I've been stopping along Rt. 158 in Jarvisburg, Currituck County, NC, and taking a few pictures.


2004




2005





2006



Things are really shaping up for this sweet old building.

And what is this place, you ask?


It's the Historic Jarvisburg Colored School -- the oldest African American school in North Carolina, established shortly after the end of the Civil War.

It does my heart good to see it being restored.

I can't wait to see how it looks next year!


***Edited on 4/13/07 to add the following pictures***:


February, 2007


4 comments:

LaurieM said...

It's a really cute building. Are those separate entrances I spy? One for boys and one for girls?

Robin said...

WOW...I'm so glad you documented the progress! What a great old building.

knitfriendly said...

Mary - this is such a great post. My mother takes a picture every season of this beautiful farmhouse in McLean, VA. It is fun to see how it changes each year. You were fortunate to start documenting this building before the renovations and were right on track to see the complete progress of the restoration. Great job! I look forward to seeing your post about this house next summer. :)

Sangeeta said...

I have seen that building as well and have been fascinated by it. Are they restoring it to its original features? Are they turning it into some sort of museum? They need to treat it with the importance it deserves...they have let it languish too long. Ok...I'll kick the soap box away now...Sheesh. Welcome back!