Old St. Matthew School Louisiana Honoring the Future of Re community How much does a legacy cost? Marvin Toussaint, president of the St. Matthew School Community Association (SMSCA), determined that "If my generation, the people who are the last ones to go and re- JaKBgl member it as a high school, doesn't do something to preserve it now, then it will never happen." Mr. Toussaint has been working on this project since ^ 2003. His determination and search - .:r-_- ¦ | for resources to accomplish this goal led him to seek assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The US EPA's Brownfields Program be- came a valuable source for assessment and cleanup through its Targeted Brownfields As- sessment (TBA) services and competitive cleanup grant funding. SMSCA pursued a $197,996 Brownfields Cleanup Grant which was awarded in 2007. This school is more than just a school. It is listed on the National Register of His- toric Places as the first public high school in the country constructed for African Americans SMSCA's vision is for this site to become the premier non-profit service location for the rural Down River Community of the Cane River Region. The historic school facilities and grounds will provide a location for many social, cultural, educational, and health-related organizations as they share their services with the community's diverse population and area visitors. ' THE MEMORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STU- WHO WALKED MILES TO A TTEND THE ONL Y SCHOOL A VAILABLE TO THEM. A Community Relations Plan was completed in September 2008. SMSCA devel- oped and distributed brochures addressing potential health hazards associated with expo- sure to ACM and LBP to churches and residents in the immediate vicinity of the St. Mat- thew School. Asbestos abatement activities were completed in December 2008, and lead base paint abatement in May 2009. All remediation was done in strict compliance with state and federal guidelines. Asking the question again, how much does a legacy cost? A legacy to honor the memory of African American students from Robeline, Provencal, Natchez, Natchitoches and Cloutesville Parish who walked miles to attend the only school available to them — Priceless. For more information, contact Katherine Johnson, email: kjohnson@caneriverheritage.org, or phone 318-356-5555. ------- |