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The restored Old Bedford School as it is today
The state review board recommended that the Old Bedford School be added to the National Register, the federal government's official listing of historical properties worthy of preservation. (The Old Bedford School was accepted for the register in 1997). Tom Rowe, president of the Bedford Historical Foundation, said the nomination represented the culmination of more than a decade of research, planning and reconstruction of the historic landmark. "Now that we are closing in on reaching our goal, it's just a tremendous feeling, and our town and all the people who have been involved are just thrilled with that," Mr. Rowe said. "Bedford is honored to have one of the most tangible ties to this area's past, and we now have the pleasurable obligation to maintain it in its current condition." Bedford's efforts to preserve the schoolhouse while at the same time converting it to a multi use facility that can be enjoyed by the community should serve as a model for other cities, said Jim Steely, director of National Register programs for the Texas Historical Commission in Austin. "We are really proud of what they have done with the Old Bedford School," he said. "A building like this can become a bridge from the past to the future." There is still a lot of work to be done to complete this project. Today the school is open to the public for tours. There are events scheduled throughout the year in the auditorium. You are invited to visit the school any weekday (except Monday) between 9:00am and 5:00pm. |
