Weston Colored School

Weston Colored School is a single-story red brick building with Spanish Colonial Revival details, sitting on a sturdy fieldstone foundation on Center Street. The structure features arched windows and decorative brickwork typical of early 20th-century school design.

The building was constructed in 1882 as a single classroom school for African American students during strict racial segregation. A significant expansion in 1928 added more teaching space before the school closed in 1954 as desegregation began.

The collections show what education was like for African American students who attended schools during segregation in West Virginia. Personal items and classroom materials on display reflect how students learned and lived in this separate but determined learning space.

The building is now maintained by the Central West Virginia Genealogical and Historical Library and welcomes visitors interested in research materials and local documents. Weekday visits work best when the library staff is available to answer questions and help guide your exploration.

While many school buildings from this era have disappeared, this one has survived and earned a place on the national register of historic properties. Its preservation makes it one of the few remaining physical records of African American education in the region.

Location: West Virginia

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mediterranean Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.03970,-80.46470

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:43