McKenzie, Tenn.–Webb School, the now-closed historic school for African-American children in McKenzie, has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
The former Webb School is one of eight nominations from around the state to be voted upon at a meeting in late January.
When the Webb School, a historic Rosenwald School for African- American children closed its doors in 1966, a group of alumni immediately acted to form the Webb Alumni Association in efforts to preserve the memories of the education and of those students in over 22 communities who attended the school. In 1971, the alumni raised enough funds to purchase their alma mater and in 2016, the group opened a museum which houses Webb School artifacts collected through the years by the alumni and families of those who attended the school.
The State Review Board will meet on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, to examine Tennessee’s proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning at 9 a.m. (CST), the meeting will be held at the Tennessee Historical Commission, located at 2941 Lebanon Road in Nashville, Tennessee as well as virtually. Meeting information will be available on the THC State Review Board webpage.
The Board will vote on eight nominations from across the state. Those nominations that are found to meet the criteria will be sent for final approval to the National Register of Historic Places at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The nominations are:
- Cross-Boggs Place, Anderson County
- Webb Public School, Carroll County
- Townsend School, Franklin County
- Esso Filling Station, Haywood County
- Woodlawn Baptist Church, Haywood County
- Cherokee Arms, Shelby County
- West J. Crawford House, Shelby County
- Cedar Heights Farm, Wilson County
The State Review Board is composed of 12 people with backgrounds in American history, architecture, archaeology, or related fields. It also includes members representing the public. The National Register program was authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The Tennessee Historical Commission administers the program in Tennessee.
The public is invited to attend the meeting. For additional information, please contact Rebecca Schmitt with the Tennessee Historical Commission at (615) 770-1086, or at National.Register@tn.gov. For more information about the Tennessee Historical Commission, please visit our website.
Photo: Webb School banquet, 1950s. From “A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF MCKENZIE, TENNESSEE,” by the McKenzie Banner.