Alamance County One Room School for African American Children Built in 1915

The McCray School, a one-room school built in 1915 for African American children in northern Alamance County, is about to receive a new lease on life thanks to community volunteers and the Alamance County African-American Cultural Arts and History Center with renovation expertise provided by Old Callands Post Office Restoration, a non-profit organization committed to preservation of community treasures.

The structure is located on N.C. Highway 62 in the McCray community, named for the late nineteenth century post office that was located nearby. McCray School last served children in 1951, but closed with the consolidation of four small rural schools. In 1986, the one room schoolhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places with the United States National Park Service. 

Old Callands Post Office Restoration has provided a thorough inspection of the building to determine structural needs in addition to creating a list of required work, including minor foundation and roof repairs, stabilizing windows, and priming and painting the exterior. An estimate for the work required to open the structure for tours and community use is $20,000. Citizens interested in supporting efforts to revive the structure should contact: 

Dale Aaron, Old Callands P. O. Restoration at 336-707-7733 or email: wdaaron775@gmail.com

Patsy Simpson, Alamance-Burlington Board of Education at 336-214-4604 or email: patsy_simpson@abss.k12.nc.us

Shineece Sellars, African-American Cultural Arts and History Center at 336-343-2193 or email: aacahcenter@gmail.com

Individuals interested in making a monetary donation to support the restoration effort to begin in spring 2021 may make a tax-deductible donation to:

McCray School
Post Office Box 121
Burlington, NC 27216

Review the National Register for Historic Places Nomination Form.