Wechsler School, First brick public school for African Americans in Meridian, Mississippi

Wechsler School is a historic school building in Meridian with classrooms and an auditorium, featuring Italianate architectural style throughout. The structure was expanded and modernized to accommodate more students and updated systems as needs changed.

Built in 1894 with public funds, it was the first brick school for African American students in the area. The building operated continuously for nearly 9 decades, making it a key educational institution for the region.

The school's name honours Rabbi Judah Wechsler of Congregation Beth Israel, who helped raise interest in the bond issue that funded it. From 1922 it hosted the Meridian-State Normal for Teachers, where under-educated teachers renewed their licences; fifty graduated in 1929. Since 1990 the Wechsler Community Art Center Association has held teen dances and parties there as fundraisers.

The building stands vacant and unrestored; it is not open for tours, and the Wechsler Community Art Center Association has only begun fundraising and stabilization work. The 1894 main block, the 1914 brick annex linked by a second-floor skywalk, and the 1951 east addition are best viewed from the street.

In 1914, the building received a major upgrade when coal fireplaces were replaced with steam heating, making it one of the most advanced schools of that era. This modernization showed the city's commitment to providing quality facilities for its students.