Parry McCluer Middle School has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that recognizes the century-old building’s historical, architectural and cultural significance.
The National Park Service announced the listing Friday. This follows the school building’s inclusion this past September on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The listings make the building eligible for federal and state historic tax credits, should the building be rehabilitated at some point in the future.
Originally constructed between 1923 and 1924, the Parry McCluer school building, named for the city schools’ first superintendent, served for decades as the principal public school building for Buena Vista. The campus was intentionally planned to support both education and recreation, with the city acquiring surrounding land be ginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to allow for expansion and outdoor activities.
Separate elementary schools were developed in the city elsewhere in the 1960s (Enderly Heights) and 1970s (Kling). The high school relocated from the building in 2001. Since that time, the facility has continued to serve the community as PMMS and as home to the School Board’s administrative offices, maintaining its longstanding educational role.
“Parry McCluer has been central to generations of students and families in our community,” said Dr. Heather Ault, Buena Vista’s superintendent of schools. “This recognition acknowledges not only the building’s historic significance, but also its continued role in serving our students and community.”
“This is a meaningful and exciting accomplishment for the city,” said Tom Roberts, director of community development for Buena Vista. “Parry McCluer is the heart of so many of our community’s stories and memories. The National Register listing honors the history of Parry McCluer while also helping us be prepared for what comes next. It allows the city and School Board to plan responsibly and ensures that important funding and preservation tools are available if and when future proposals are considered.”
Athletics and community gatherings became an important part of the school’s history early on. Organized sports programs were established in the early 1920s, and the athletic field behind the school developed over time into a central feature of the campus. In 1939, a concreteblock wall enclosing the athletic grounds was constructed with assistance from the Works Progress Administration, an initiative by President Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression to combat unemployment through public works projects. This feature reflects a significant period in both local and national history.
The school building evolved as educational needs changed. A new library and classroom wing was completed in 1948 and also served as the Buena Vista public library for more than two decades, welcoming both students and the general public. Additional classrooms, gymnasium, and instructional spaces were added in the mid-1950s, expanding the school’s capacity and reflecting mid-century educational priorities.
“As needs and plans for the middle school evolve and the city and School Board work towards a plan for the future of the school system, the historic designations serve as a proactive step to recognize the building’s historic significance and preserve future opportunities,” states a press release issued by the city on Monday.
“At this time, no official plans have been made for the future of the middle school itself, and no specific plans for reuse or redevelopment have been determined. Decisions regarding the building’s future will continue to rest with City Council and the School Board, guided by community needs and long-term goals. The [national and state historic designations] ensure that the city is well positioned for the future, providing flexibility and access to preservation and funding tools that support thoughtful, communitycentered possibilities when the time is right.”
The city initiated the nomination process for the historic designations last year with the help of a local consultant, Dan Pezzoni.
