Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Historic Trust Affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs

Richardson Avenue School

Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund
Historic Site Management Grant
Grant Award: $7,125 (2000); $75,000 (2004)
Grant Recipient: Historical and Educational Lodge Hall Preservatory
County: Gloucester
Municipality: Swedesboro

Built in 1930 as a Masonic Hall, this building was leased in 1931 to establish the town’s last “separate but equal” school for African-American children. Since the school closed in 1942, the structure has served as an unofficial community center for African-American residents in Swedesboro.

The Trust grant helped fund a preservation plan to guide preservation and restoration work. A 1999 grant from the Emergency Grant and Loan Fund helped repair the building’s roof.


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