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Historic post office project updates board, plans arts programming and summer camps
Summary
Representatives of the historic post office revitalization told the board the project aims to restore arts programming for Monongalia County students and move toward construction planning after roof and design work.
Patrick Kirby, representing the Historic Post Office project at 107 South High Street, updated the Monongalia County Board of Education on April 8 about plans to revive the downtown building as an arts and history hub for students.
Kirby said the project is a collaboration among the Monarch Center (the center that previously occupied the post office), the Morgantown History Museum, and Your Community Foundation. He said the site is within walking distance of three schools and the project team plans to resume arts‑reach programming, after‑school offerings and summer art camps beginning June 16 and running through Aug. 14.
“For over two decades the Monarch Center had an active arts reach program in partnership with Monongalia County Schools,” Kirby said, adding the revitalization would seek to re‑energize that work and encourage student field trips and collaborative exhibits. He said the project has completed a new roof and conceptual designs and that the team hopes to move into construction planning to preserve the building for decades.
Jason Burns of the Morgantown History Museum, Billy Atkins of Your Community Foundation and Aldonna Byrd, director of the Monarch Center, were mentioned as project partners. Kirby invited board members and staff to request more detailed updates and indicated Aldonna Byrd would be a primary contact for school collaborations.
Board members asked staff to exchange contact information and follow up with project representatives so schools can consider program partnerships and field trips once programming resumes.
