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| The history of Robert E. Lee High School; the future of Gypsy Hill Place. |
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| HISTORY | ARCHITECTURE | FLOORPLANS | ELEVATIONS | RATES |
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 The Robert E. Lee High School was constructed in 1926 as the City of Staunton’s first separate school for secondary education. During the period of significance it was the only high school in the city. As a result of its singular position in the community, nearly every person who grew to adulthood in the city walked the halls of this edifice. Its commanding presence on a hill across from the very popular historic Gypsy Hill Park contributed to the school’s daily influence on the community. As the residential areas around the high school have built up, the sports field located between the school and Churchville Avenue has remained open, enhancing the presence of the school and impressing upon the community the importance of education. Notable among R.E. Lee High School graduates are the country music legends, the Statler Brothers. The original structure of the R.E. Lee High School was completed in January of 1927. At that time, it opened its doors to 262 students: 88 freshmen, 61 sophomores, 67 juniors, and 46 seniors.[i] In August of 1926, the Staunton News Leader reported that, “The new school on Churchville Avenue will not be ready for occupancy before November 30, at which time the construction contract calls for its completion.” Given that November 30th was in the middle of the Fall term, it was decided that the disruption of moving the school mid term would be too much of an inconvenience and that the school would officially open in January 1927.  According to the 1926-1927 yearbook, the Staunton Rotary hosted a luncheon for the senior class in the gymnasium on January 18, 1927. The following day, formal dedication exercises for the new building were held. This was also noted to be the 121st birthday of Robert E. Lee. Speakers included a University of Virginia Law professor, Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia, and Colonel S. Brown Allen, commander of the Stonewall Jackson Camp of Confederate Veterans. After the exercises, the pupils of the school showed, with a great deal of pleasure, the school which had just been dedicated.Minutes from the Staunton School Board on February 9, 1927, within a month of the school first opening, indicated the desire on behalf of the new building’s students to hold a dance: “Representatives of the senior class made a request through the principal for the privilege of holding a dance in the high school gymnasium. On motion of Mr. Timberlake, the privilege was granted.” These dances were not to occur twice during a six week period and six tickets were to be supplied to the principal for him to distribute to chaperones. The minutes go on to say: “Such dancing was to be under the supervision of the principal and it was understood that at any time it seemed wise, all privileges of this type were to be revoked.” This was the beginning of a varied and lively set of social events hosted by the school. In 1954, two wings were added and the original building’s auditorium was renovated to accommodate a population of 800 students through the new addition. Prior to the 1954 additions, the building did not have a cafeteria and all gym activities took place on the stage of the auditorium.  The grade levels taught at Lee from its beginning until 1958 were grades 9 through 12. In 1958, grade 9 was transferred to Shelbourne Junior High School. In 1966 all schools were racially integrated. As this created overcrowded conditions, the ninth grade was absorbed by two junior highs. In 1982-83, as the student population decreased, ninth grade returned to Lee High. In 1983-1984, a new Lee High School was built on North Coalter Street, so the original school closed at that time.Prior to the school closing, there was much debate and controversy surrounding the City of Staunton’s plans for the school. Years of memories and the community’s familiarity with the building led to a push to continue using the building. The school board looked at proposals to expand the building by adding an additional story to each of the 1954 wings. A feasibility study from 1982 examined the expansion and concluded that it would cost $4 million dollars to renovate. Though this plan was supported by the school board, it was rejected by the City Council. However, the City Council quickly reversed that decision due to public response. After a review of the standard state requirements for educational facilities, the sloping terrain, and the lack of space for expansion, Robert E. Lee High School was closed after the Class of 1983 graduated in June of that year.  In the late 1980s the school was bought by the Goicolea family of Spain. For nearly a decade, the school housed a summer school for school-aged Spanish nationals to learn English. In 2001, the building was purchased by the Dioceses of Richmond and a religious school was formed and operated in the building until the end of the school year in 2007. At that time, the student body was too small to maintain the school program. While a parochial school, the building interior was altered in limited ways including installation of a sprinkler system in a portion of the building and accommodations for student residents. |
