Rosa True School
Encyclopedia
The Rosa E. True School is an historic property on Park Street in Portland, Maine
's West End
. It opened as a public school in 1844 and closed in 1972; upon the closing of the school, it had been in continuous use longer than any other school in the country.
In 1971, school principal Rodney E. Wells was charged with violating Maine's right to know
laws when he withheld the school's enrollment information from a parent concerned over the hiring of a school employee.
In 1987, the historic preservation group Greater Portland Landmarks began involvement with the Rose True School with a 5,000 dollar revolving loan to help convert the property into a multi-unit apartment building.
In 1992, the property was converted into 8 low income apartments primarily through local anti-gentrification
efforts and the availability of tax credits. The redevelopment of the property also resulted in $900,000 put into the local economy and job training for young people.
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
's West End
West End (Portland, Maine)
The West End is a downtown neighborhood in Portland, Maine. It is located on the western side of Portland's peninsula primarily on Bramhall Hill and is noted for its architecture and history. The neighborhood is home to a large number of historic homes and parks and, in 2010, it was called "one of...
. It opened as a public school in 1844 and closed in 1972; upon the closing of the school, it had been in continuous use longer than any other school in the country.
In 1971, school principal Rodney E. Wells was charged with violating Maine's right to know
Right to know
"Right to know", in the context of United States workplace and community environmental law, is the legal principle that the individual has the right to know the chemicals to which they may be exposed in their daily living. It is embodied in federal law in the United States as well as in local laws...
laws when he withheld the school's enrollment information from a parent concerned over the hiring of a school employee.
In 1987, the historic preservation group Greater Portland Landmarks began involvement with the Rose True School with a 5,000 dollar revolving loan to help convert the property into a multi-unit apartment building.
In 1992, the property was converted into 8 low income apartments primarily through local anti-gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
efforts and the availability of tax credits. The redevelopment of the property also resulted in $900,000 put into the local economy and job training for young people.