Martin County approves one-year facilities-use agreement for Port Salerno one‑room schoolhouse

Martin County commissioners voted unanimously May 20 to approve a one‑year facilities‑use agreement allowing Martin County Black Heritage Initiative to operate the historic Port Salerno one‑room schoolhouse in New Monrovia.

The agreement, presented by George Stokes, assistant county administrator, allows public use of the restored schoolhouse for cultural and educational programming. Stokes said the initial term is one year with automatic one‑year renewals and contains standard termination clauses; he described staff time as the county’s primary cost for the arrangement.

The decision followed nearly two hours of public comment at a standing‑room hearing. Lloyd Jones, a representative of Martin County Black Heritage Initiative, told commissioners the group plans to use the building “as a museum and cultural center” and described the work as a cooperative effort to preserve and teach local history. Former students and descendants emphasized the building’s local importance and recent preservation work: Loretta Mackey Bradley, a former student and retired letter carrier, said, “I am fully hopeful and supportive of the facility use agreement presented.”

Julie Priest, a member of Martin County’s historic preservation board who helped with the state marker application, urged a factual edit to the proclamation language: she asked that the record show the schoolhouse was built in 1934 as a Civil Works Administration project. Stokes and commissioners agreed to add the date to the record and the proclamation.

Commissioner Hetherington moved to adopt staff’s recommendation for approval. The motion passed unanimously.

Background offered during the meeting: the county acquired the schoolhouse in 1998, the structure dates to the 1930s, and community volunteers and county staff completed a multi‑year restoration capped by a Florida historic marker ceremony the preceding weekend. Speakers stressed educational uses for Martin County School District students, noting the district will be a partner for future programming.

Commissioners and community members thanked the Martin County Black Heritage Initiative, Martin County School District staff, the Historic Preservation Board, and volunteers for the restoration work. The presentation and public testimony made clear the agreement is meant to expand public access and cultural programming; it does not obligate the county to capital expenditures beyond existing maintenance and staff coordination.

The board’s action authorizes county staff to finalize the agreement and proceed with implementation under the terms discussed.