Newbern Village Center
An historic building located in southwest Virginia
About Newbern
Village Center
The Newbern Village Center is located in an old school building at the west end of Newbern, Virginia. This local landmark has a rich history and is an anchor that has been the site of many events and important community happenings in the past. Because of its size and excellent central location, it has great value and potential.
A renewal of the structure and its purpose is underway to make it a beacon for community and all things “green.” This new life for the Center will tell the story of Southwest Virginia’s agricultural history including the people who made it possible. It will also address the present and future of sustainable growing practices.
As part of this, new features will include public exhibits and events including farmer’s markets, educational workshops and various recreational activities. Collectively, these efforts will assist in narrating the rich regional history of farming and its influence on the environment and culture of Southwest Virginia. Additionally, there is a growing green and small farm movement and this center will provide information, support and resources to enhance these initiatives.
Share our vision. Here are a few of the things we hope to put in place over the next few years:
- Resource center for cyclists, runners, walkers
- Cooking demos – farm to table, using your garden
- Workshops – Solar energy, How to Improve your Home’s Energy Requirements, Gardening, Planting for the Future
- Presentations and discussions on the history of farming and on the history of tools
- Growing your own food: How to improve your soil, planning and planting a garden, pest control, harvesting, demonstration gardens
The story of farming in the valley in the past can be seen not only in the farms of today but in surprise settings. Anyone who hikes around the area probably recalls seeing an ancient apple tree growing in a forest clearing. Behind the Museum in Newbern there is an heirloom pear tree that still fruits. Metal pieces of old tools are dug up in various locations on a regular basis. The story is here and it is up to us to tell the present and future stories as well. The Center is the focus for these stories, using the land as well as the building. One possible plan for the future use of the land might look like this:
The building is improving every year and we are close to accommodating seasonal meetings and gatherings. This building and project are part of the future of our area as we struggle to grow responsibly while retaining the best of what we already have – our beautiful valley, our farms, and our strong love of history and the joys earth provides.
Note: The photos of the building featured to the left were made in 2021 and do not reflect some more recent improvements. The three double and non-operable chimneys shown were removed when a new roof was installed in 2022 to remove the need for extensive flashing. The foundation repairs on the long west wall have been made and Hardie Plank installed to the bottom of the windows.
Our Story
1883 Newbern celebrated the opening of a new school building on Wilderness Road to accommodate the growing community needs. The original school at the other end of Newbern near the old Farris Dairy which was a combination residence and school was returned to its use as a residence. The new building had a large classroom with wood stoves at either end, large windows for natural light, and space for outdoor play on its 1-½ acre site.
1952 The building served as a community focal point and school until 1952, when the construction of new schools in the county let to the Pulaski County School Board offering the building for sale. Numerous people expressed interest.
1953 The building appraised for $1,500 and in July of 1953 the newly formed Newbern Community Improvement Club Incorporated was offered the building for that sum with a 30-day right of refusal. On August 12, 1953 the new Improvement Club accepted the offer, and on the 9th of October, 1953 the building was deeded to the Club. In the 1950’s Newbern was a little bit of a wild place. The Newbern Community Improvement Club started improvements by organizing trash pick-up, finishing a water line in Newbern, installing street lights, and they found a doctor for the village. In the old school, they installed a kitchen, and updated bathrooms.
1990 Over the years, various groups have donated time, labor and materials toward the preservation of the building. It has been the site of many a happy family reunion or birthday party, and also serves as a focal point for the annual Newbern Fall Festival. The Improvement Club was very active until the early 1990’s. At that point, the building came under the purview of the Newbern Volunteer Fire Department. They have attempted to preserve it but have found themselves in need of divesting this job due to the work load on the fire department.
2021 Because this wonderful old structure needs work and money to do the work, the Newbern Community Improvement Club, Inc. has to be dissolved and a new club with updated 501-c-3 tax status formed. A new Board of Directors and slate of officers are focused on grants, fundraising, and donations to preserve and update the building, making it once again an area focal point for many activities.
Property Work in Progress
The Newbern Village Center is sited at 5125 Wilderness Road at the edge of the Registered Historical District of Newbern, Virginia. The building is located on 1.5 acres of land and was the second school building in Newbern. It is a large structure with just under 2200 sq feet under roof. It consists of one large room, an entry hall, 2 restrooms, and a kitchen set up for buffet style dinners. The bathrooms are fully functional as is the kitchen, but the kitchen is somewhat primitive and needs work. The building has a somewhat updated electrical system and some plumbing updates. It is served by town water and has a septic system.
In order for the building to realize its potential, some major updates must be completed. While it is roughly functional, significant deterioration is occurring. The most important first repair is the replacement of the roof, which was leaking and deteriorating. As of late October 2022, this has been accomplished. Progress!
The second most important repair is the foundation and some of the structure. The building was constructed using “balloon framing.” Balloon framing is a style of wood-house building that uses long, vertical 2″ x 4″s for the exterior walls. These long “studs” extend uninterrupted, from the sill on top of the foundation, all the way up to the roof. Because if allows fires to spread easily from floor to floor in multi-level structures. However, it was, at the time, the logical and most used method of construction for many buildings. The Center is one-story, albeit a tall one story. The method is no longer used today.
Additionally, there is no working heat, so the building cannot be used 6 months out of the year; a central heating system must be installed. Most windows have been replaced, but several old windows and the main door need work. The old siding needs paint or replacement. The handicapped ramp needs staining and sealing. Fortunately, the building is basically structurally sound as well as having some updates from the 1950’s and later.
And so, the new Newbern Village Center group, with a lot of help, is starting to “eat the elephant.” It is a grand old building with great potential to become an integral part of activities in the county. It is very well located, and the space will accommodate many types of activities, from technology to citizen gatherings, art classes for all ages, musical events, even gatherings for citizens on relevant topics with speakers from various businesses. the vision is wide definitely involves returning this grand old building to its original community use roots.
Offline Donations
If you would like to donate via check or cash, please download & print this form.
Connect
Follow our Facebook page to see photos, and keep abreast of our progress. Use our contact form below to connect directly.