Gwinnett County unveils Hooper Enwick Project to preserve African American education history

During the December 11, 2024 work session, the Lawrenceville City Council received an informative presentation from Cammy Mansfield, the Gwinnett County Interpretive Resource Project Coordinator. The focus of the discussion was the Hooper Enwick Preservation Project, which aims to honor and preserve the history of the Hooper Enwick School, a significant site in Gwinnett County's educational history.

Mansfield outlined the mission of her department, which is dedicated to preserving Gwinnett's cultural and historical narratives. This includes managing 12 historic sites, a collection of approximately 3,000 artifacts, and around 300 oral histories collected since 2018. These resources are made accessible to the public through exhibits and educational programs, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in preserving local history.

The Hooper Enwick School holds a particularly poignant place in Gwinnett's past, as it was the only high school available to African American students during segregation from 1951 until its closure in 1968. The school served as a vital educational institution, providing opportunities for black students at a time when other schools only offered education up to the seventh grade. The preservation project not only aims to restore the physical structure but also to tell the broader story of African American education in the county, tracing its roots back to the 1870s.

Mansfield highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, which involves multiple stakeholders, including the city of Lawrenceville, the Gwinnett County Public Library, and various community organizations. The Hooper Enwick Preservation Project is set to become the first themed library in the Southeast, further enhancing its significance as a cultural landmark.

As the meeting concluded, the council members expressed their support for the project, recognizing its potential to educate future generations about the rich history of Gwinnett County. The anticipated opening of the facility marks a significant step in preserving and sharing the stories that shaped the community, ensuring that the legacy of the Hooper Enwick School continues to resonate.