Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Uncertain future for Washington Elementary School in Vincennes

Indiana Landmarks reported in the latest issue of Indiana Preservationist magazine that Washington Elementary School in Vincennes, along with nearby Inman Field, is facing an uncertain future. The stately, Collegiate Gothic landmark has been closed due to budget cuts, and joins two other vacant historic schools owned by the Vincennes Community School Corporation. Hopefully Vincennes will be able to identify reuses for these beautiful buildings.

In happier times, the city celebrated the building's 25th birthday in style, according to this news article in our Jay C. Bixby Architectural Records Collection:

3 comments:

  1. When I was in grade school, I always wanted to attend this school because of its architecture. At that time, I had no idea what Gothic even meant. If only I knew..... ;)

    I hope the community does try to bring this building back to life. Do you have any information on the Pantheon Theatre in Vincennes?

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  2. Hi Bethany,

    Yes, we do have information on the Pantheon Theatre in Vincennes. You can see a posting, with photos, at: http://ddarchive.blogspot.com/2010/03/pantheon-theater-vincennes-indiana.html

    Our collection of Vincennes-related material has received a lot of use lately. A local preservation group is using some of our pictures to illustrate the history of the buildings for a new walking tour brochure.

    Thanks for reading the blog and for posting!

    -Carol
    Archivist for Architectural Records

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  3. The Washington Elementary School has been purchased by the First Christian Church of Vincennes and has been renamed FCC's Washington Christian Center. It will be used as a center for ministry, outreach and education.

    - Rob Lee

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