The event will take place on-site at the former Hooper Renwick School, located at 56 Neal Boulevard Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
The school opened in 1871 solely for African-American students and was formerly known as the Rocky Knob School. This original location on Honeysuckle Avenue in Lawrenceville was destroyed by a tornado and in 1951 the school was relocated to its current site. At that time, Hooper Renwick School was the only public school in Gwinnett County that African-American students could attend. However, with the onset of social integration, the final graduating class of the Hooper Renwick School was in 1968 and over the next 30 years, the building served as housing for various Gwinnett County school departments.
“We are hosting this celebration in honor of the Hooper Renwick School, which has a deep-rooted history in Lawrenceville and we will observe and celebrate its legacy at this event,” said Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson.
Ms. Rubye Neal – a Hooper Renwick School alumni – is organizing this event with support from the City of Lawrenceville. In attendance will be former students and school administration, family, friends, along with city and county staff members.
“We have coordinated a wonderful program that will surely serve to honor the Hooper Renwick legacy,” said Neal. “Guests will have the opportunity to tour the building and grounds, learn about the school’s history and then we will eat, dance, and celebrate.”
A date has not been set for the repurposing of the Hooper Renwick School building however, the Mayor and City Council want to ensure the community that Hooper Renwick’s legacy will never be forgotten in the City of Lawrenceville.
The cost to attend the celebration is $45.00 per person and payment should be sent to Hooper-Renwick (1871-1968) P.O. Box 464584, Lawrenceville, GA 30042. Please indicate your t-shirt size with your payment.
For more information about the Hooper Renwick Celebration, please contact the event coordinator, Rubye Neal, at 770.277.5123.
