A project to paint the old Lincoln Schoolhouse will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday at Lincoln Park on North Washington Avenue. The event is hosted by Young Vision, a young persons group for people under the age of 45. According to Carol Silvey with the group, they take and make a positive focus on West Plains
She said that the painting event is open to the public and people are asked to bring their own brushes. Paint will be available, she said.
If people are unable to paint they can still show to share memories.
“We’re going to give it a fresh coat of white paint, to preserve its history,” Silvey said.
The old schoolhouse was built in 1890 and then rebuilt in 1920, which is the structure that stands to this day.
It served as the Black school in the community as the north part of Washington Avenue was the site of the Black community in West Plains, which was referred to as “Illinois Town.”
Currently, the Lincoln Schoolhouse is used as a meeting place for a variety of West Plains groups, most notably Alcoholics Anonymous.
For more information or concerns about rain during the event call Silvey at 417-234-3362.
