Marriott School Project

Marriott Cultural Arts Center Project Summary

The King and Queen Community Development Corporation, proposes to restore the Marriott School building as a community/cultural arts center for the citizens of King and Queen County and middle peninsula residents. After the result of community meetings, the citizens of the county articulated two main desires, first, they would like to see cultural, recreational, and personal enrichment opportunities inside the county, and second, they would like to see the Marriott School building restored.

As an act of determination, the community created the King and Queen Community Development Corporation (KQCD) to undertake this and other projects that would enrich the lives and foster community spirit among King and Queen residents. The project will be undertaken with the deepest respect for the desires of the community to maintain a safe, family environment. Through collaboration with neighbors, county officials, residents and other potential users, a building design and use plan are being created to meet the needs of the community. KQCD is working with Commonwealth Architects in Richmond, VA.

In February 2007, the Marriott School became listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. Demolition and stabilization work began in May 2007 in preparation for the historic rehabilitation of the Marriott School. KQCD plans to launch a major fundraising campaign to support the project.

Click below to view:

Demolition and Stabilization Plan

Phase One Update

History of the Marriott School

The Marriott School is a local landmark that represents the role of education in rural King and Queen County as well as Virginia. It tells the story of segregated education in Virginia, the responses to desegregation, and the ultimate integration of Virginia’s public education system. Built in 1938, this School is a prime example of early 20^th century public school architecture. It was constructed in response to the 1937 fire of the previous Marriott School, located approximately one mile away near Biscoe, on the Old Tappahannock-Richmond Post Road.

In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education declared that separate but equal facilities for black and white citizens was unconstitutional. The Marriott High School closed after the 1969-70 school year and was the last remaining white high school in the County. Central High School was selected as the sole high school for the County. Pleasant Hill High School became King and Queen Elementary School which continues to house grades K-7. The Marriott building became part of Lawson-Marriott Elementary: a brick Lawson School was built and housed grades K-3 while the Marriott building housed grades 4-7. In 1992, the Marriott School building closed and students were transferred to an expanded Lawson School - the current Lawson-Marriott Elementary School.

For more information about the history of the Marriott School, click below:

Historical Timeline of the Marriott School