06.12.2024

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✏️ Historic schoolhouse restored

Siloam School to open to the public this week

A small single-story schoolhouse with wheelbarrows and landscape items outside.

The finishing touches are being put on the renovated Siloam School at the Charlotte Museum of History. | Photo by CLTtoday

$1.2 million. That’s how much money was raised by the Charlotte Museum of History to rescue and restore the Siloam School. After eight years of hard work, the piece of Charlotte’s history will open to the public Saturday, June 15.

What is the Siloam School?
The historic schoolhouse is a one-room building built in the 1920s by a local African American church community to educate children during Jim Crow segregation.

It’s also one of Charlotte’s last standing Rosenwald-era schools. “All throughout the rural South, communities came together to fundraise. They get the building plans, construct the building, teach African American children,” said Mea Agazio, the Education & Engagement Manager at Charlotte Museum of History.

A gif showing the before and after of a schoolhouse in black and white and its restored form. — The Siloam School served as a schoolhouse, family home, and auto body shop over the years.
|
Before photo via Charlotte Museum of History | After photo by CLTtoday

What’s unique about the Siloam School?
Built like a log structure, the school was named after Siloam Presbyterian Church and served the Black students living near the Mallard Creek neighborhood.

As the Mallard Creek area grew, the school became lost to time and development. One-room schools were gradually replaced with new buildings with separated grades. After closing in 1947, the schoolhouse was converted to a family home and auto body shop.

The Charlotte Museum of History launched the Save Siloam School Project in 2016 — an initiative to move the building from the neighborhood to its property on Shamrock Road.

In September 2023, the single-room schoolhouse was delivered to the museum.

A single-room schoolhouse with hardwood floors and white walls. — Based on Rosenwald school building plans, each schoolhouse was believed to have one classroom for students of all ages.
|
Photo via Charlotte Museum of History

“The opening of the restored Siloam School marks a significant milestone in Charlotte’s cultural landscape,” said Terri L. White, president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History.

Charlotte Museum of History will host a special homecoming event + ribbon cutting Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. Public tours of the school will start at 12 p.m.

Rescuing Siloam School

Asked

How many schools did the The Rosenwald Fund help build?

A. 3,500
B. 2,000
C. 5,000
D. 2,500

Take me to class

Events

Wednesday, June 12

Monthly Chamber Business Luncheon | Wednesday, June 12 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Christ Covenant Church, 800 Fullwood Ln., Matthews | $20-$25 | Network and stay informed on transportation projects in downtown Matthews.
Juneteenth Observance Program | Wednesday, June 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Levine Center for Wellness and Recreation, 2201 Wellesley Ave., Charlotte | Free | Register for the 3rd annual program + indulge in mouthwatering food, entertainment, and education.
Sign Making at Armored Cow Brewing | Wednesday, June 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Armored Cow Brewing Co., 8821 JW Clay Blvd., Ste.1, Charlotte | $49 | Create signs to welcome guests and friends + the cost includes one beer.

Thursday, June 13

US Open Watch Party | Thursday, June 13 | 12-8 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing & Taproom, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Catch the action on the green with friends while sipping your favorite brew.
Advocacy in Action: A Conversation with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles & Mecklenburg County Commission | Thursday, June 13 | 2-3 p.m. | Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, 330 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | Free | Connect with the mayor and commission chair to hear their priorities about county budgets and what’s ahead for the Queen City.
North End Farmers Market | Thursday, June 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Camp North End, 1801 N. Graham St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Shop from local farmers, artisans, and small businesses.

Friday, June 14

Car Cruise-In at The Courthouse Self-Pour Beer & Wine | Friday, June 14 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Monroe Downtown Historic District, 101 W. Franklin St., Monroe | Cost of purchase | Marvel at classic hot rods + 30 beer and wine offerings.
Flag Retirement Ceremony and Blood Drive | Friday, June 14 | 5-8 p.m. | Civil Air Patrol NC-111 Squadron, 5308 Airport Dr., Charlotte | Free | Donate blood + retire flags no longer suitable for display.
St. Sarkis Armenian Food Festival | Friday, June 14 | 5-9 p.m. | Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 7000 Park Rd., Charlotte | Free | Savor dishes like kebabs, dolma, and baklava while enjoying live music and entertainment.
Charlotte Symphony: Jaws in Concert | Friday, June 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theatre, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $28+ | “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!” to enjoy the classic film with a live orchestra accompaniment.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Consultants from Inner Circle Sports want to ensure funds to upgrade Bank of America Stadium go to the project, not Tepper Sports & Entertainment. The firm vows to work with the city to guarantee the money will fund workers and construction. (WBTV)

Job

Stanley Black & Decker Inc. is closing its Kannapolis distribution facility, leaving 220+ people without a job. The closure is due to manufacturing and distribution changes. Earlier this year, the toolmaker announced its Fort Mill plant closure, laying off nearly 200 people. (The Charlotte Observer)

Regional

Starting July 1, South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control will split into two agencies. SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) will handle air quality and environmental services. SC Department of Public Health (DPH) will cover health-related services. The decision was made by lawmakers last year. (WCNC)

Eat

You hungry? Calle Sol’s new location in SouthPark is welcoming diners for lunch. The Cuban and Peruvian-inspired spot opened Friday, May 31. Expect favorites like Picadillo or Lechón Asado for $9.

Closing

NoDa Brewing’s OG Taproom is switching gears. The brewery on 2229 N. Davidson St. will transition to hosting public events only. The last day of operations as a taproom + final celebrations will be Friday, June 28.

Feel Good

Remember when Bojangles and Panthers QB Bryce Young delivered cookies and books to CMS students? The restaurant chain promoted literacy through the “Smart Cookie” campaign, donating treats and $250 worth of books to six schools across the Carolinas. The initiative highlights the importance of education and community.

Sports

Are the Hornets a good team for draft prospects? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Correction

Numbers are hard. Monday, we shared Charlotte City Council approved the city’s 2025 budget. During the meeting, the proposed 1.5 cent property tax increase was lowered to 1.37 cents. The $4.16 billion budget will take effect on Monday, July 1. (WCNC)

Try This

🎸 Ready to rock?

Catch a free concert around the Queen City

A band in yellow shirts playing in a park with inflatable beach balls on the lawn.

What’s better than soaking up the sun with live music and being surrounded by Uptown’s buildings? | Photo by CLTtoday

There’s no better way to enjoy the late summer sunsets than free outdoor concerts.

Starting this week, Mecklenburg County is hosting Sundown Sounds — a free concert series at multiple Park and Recreation locations.

Ramsey Creek Beach | Fridays, June 14, July 12, and Aug. 9 | 18441 Nantz Rd., Cornelius | Performances by Blue Monday, Gary Lowder and the Smokin’ Hot, and Chris Taylor and the Rumor
Eastway Regional Recreation Center | Thursdays, June 20, July 18, and Aug. 18 | 3150 Eastway Park Dr., Charlotte | Jam to live music provided by D.K. Harrell, Groove Machine, and West End Mambo
Pearl Street Park | Thursdays, June 27, July 25, and Aug. 22 | 1200 Baxter St., Charlotte | Dance along to The Entertainers, Carolina Soul Band, and Landslide.

Sundown Sounds concerts are 7-9 p.m. and run from June to August

Want more?

3 more concerts

The Buy

Strut your stuff this summer with accessories from Designed For Joy. The Birdie purse comes in various colorways and features a scarf detail on the handle – perfect for a summer date night.

Answered

Tuesday, we asked “Copperheads make up what percentage of snake bites in North Carolina?”

Summertime means a higher risk for snake bites so we tested your sssssskills regarding Copperhead bites in North Carolina.

A. 90%
B. 75%
C. 50%
D. 10%

Correct answer: 90%

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maria

From the editor

I can’t get over these sunsets. It’s so nice to spend time outdoors with the sun shining brightly well into the evening hours. What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Let me know.

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