Simms, Lucy F., School
Also known as: 115-5035
Why it's listed
Lucy F. Simms School, at 620 Simms Avenue in Harrisonburg, is a two-story brick building completed in 1939 to serve African-American elementary and high school students. It replaced the condemned Effinger School, which federal inspectors had called a fire hazard. Funding combined a Public Works Administration grant covering 45 percent of the cost with city money and a State Literary Fund loan. The design came from stock plans by the Virginia Department of Education, and Nielson Construction Company of Harrisonburg built it. Cost overruns delayed one four-room wing until 1961. The school is named for Lucy F. Simms, a teacher born into slavery on the land where it stands. It drew students from Harrisonburg and nearby counties and served as a social center for the Black community until desegregation closed it in 1966. Original floor plan, Brictile wainscoting, lockers, windows and gymnasium survive, and the building remains in community use.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be an unusually well-preserved example of an African-American school built with Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works funds, among the last such projects before the program ended. It served Black students from Harrisonburg and surrounding counties until desegregation in 1965/66 and acted as a community focal point. It was named for Lucy F. Simms, a Black teacher born into slavery on the site.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04000040, listed February 11, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 620 Simms Ave., Harrisonburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Harrisonburg |
| Listed | February 11, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000040 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1939-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Virginia Department of Education; Nielson Construction Company (builders) |
| Architectural style | Other |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Black, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Closed as a school in 1966 but in continuous use since by civic organizations, a Boys and Girls Club, a life-skills training center and some city offices; rehabilitation was planned. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 38.45453, -78.85812 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04000040.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15243061
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.