Spencer-Penn Building Listed on National Register of Historic Places
culture, history, national register of historic places,
The Henry County School Board closed Spencer-Penn Elementary at the end of June 2004 as part of the process of consolidating schools in the county.
As a result, for the first time since Spencer-Penn opened in 1927, students were no longer being educated in the building. However, many people in the community have great memories of Spencer-Penn, and they didn’t want the building to eventually be bulldozed, as has happened to so many other historic schools throughout the nation.
So to make sure that this didn’t occur, a Spencer-Penn School Preservation Organization was formed in August 2004 to obtain the property and develop plans for its future use. The group purchased the main school building and an adjacent cottage and 8 acres of land in November 2004.
The group’s next order of business was to nominate the Spencer-Penn building for placement on the Virginia Register of Historic Landmarks. That effort was successful in March 2005, which allowed the organization to become eligible for state grants that went toward renovation of the historic structure.
In 2009, the Spencer-Penn building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The restoration of the entire landmark has resulted in the grand opening of Spencer-Penn Centre, which now serves as a community events destination. The center may be rented as a site for wedding receptions, banquets, dinner theater, classes, specialty shops, antique sales, exercise areas and sporting events.
The centerpiece of Spencer-Penn Centre is an auditorium that can seat 170 people. An adjoining classroom can be used to serve appetizers for a variety of events, while another adjoining classroom can be used as a caterer’s kitchen – complete with warming oven, refrigerator, sink and counter space.
A stage is also present in the auditorium, and one classroom adjoining the stage can be used as a dressing room for performers.
Story by Kevin Litwin
