Orange Mound Library and Genealogy Center

843 Dallas St, Memphis, TN 38114 United States

Building Area (sf): 17,092 (Phase 1)

Completion: April 2024

Architect of Record:

Self + Tucker Architects

Jimmie Tucker
Mario Walker
Victor Robinson
Edith Washington
Nikole Daniels
Dakota McMullen
Glenn Vaulx

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Grinder Taber Grinder
• Electrical: Ashworth Engineering PLLC - Civil Engineer
  Chad Stewart & Associates – Structural Engineering
  Innovative Engineering Services – MEP Engineering
  Perkins Everitt – Lighting Designer
  JPA Inc – Landscape Architect
  Tioga Environmental Consultants, Inc - Environmental
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  Steve Austell Photography, Joe Luther Photography
  

The revitalization of the Historic Melrose School is the result of decades of community organizing, governmental support, preservation, and adaptive reuse. The architect successfully collaborated with these diverse stakeholders to reimagine a building blighted for 40 years into a dynamic hub of self-discovery, cultural enrichment, life-long learning, and community pride.

Orange Mound is a community with deep roots and a wealth of history.
The community was founded in 1890 as the first neighborhood in America to be built by and for African Americans. The Melrose School also began circa 1890 as the first area school to open independently of Black churches.

As Orange Mound grew, the original wooden Rosenwald schoolhouse became undersized and unsafe. The now iconic art-moderne building was completed by the New Deal’s Public Works Administration in 1938 and added to the original Rosenwald school’s capacity to accommodate students in grades one through twelve. The community school was the “heartbeat of the neighborhood” and provided learning opportunities, becoming a citadel of accomplishments.
Sadly, the cherished “Old” Melrose High School building was closed and left derelict in 1979. In the following years, continuous efforts to either restore or demolish the building took place. The building was successfully added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and ownership was transferred to the City of Memphis. Prior to its revitalization, the building would remain vacant for over 40 years.

In 2017, as part of the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan, the City of Memphis Division of Housing & Community Development (HCD) initiated a community engagement process to re-imagine what the blighted structure could become. During the Planning and Previtalization Phase, we engaged historians and local arts organizations to feature positive imagery of the neighborhood and historic photos from Melrose Alumni. This process helped energize the Orange Mound Community around the project and gain insights and engagement regarding potential uses.

These Design Charettes informed the community and allowed for the development of a large and diverse Steering Committee. The committee gathered residents, alumni, community development, and political leaders alongside planners and designers, to ensure equity and project success. The Orange Mound community was clear– They wanted to repurpose the Historic Melrose School and add amenities for all ages so it could serve future generations. In tandem with Memphis 3.0, the Accelerate Memphis program was created to bring funding to potentially catalytic projects in neighborhoods. The Historic Melrose School was quickly identified as a critical asset and was earmarked $10 Million in project funding. Self + Tucker Architects was selected to collaborate with HCD and Orange Mound Community stakeholders to adaptively reuse the building.

At the outset of the project, though the building’s structure was solid, 4 decades of neglect had a significant impact on the building. The building systems and aesthetic conditions of the interior and exterior had fully deteriorated due to vandalism and severe moisture intrusion. Plants and tree limbs had begun growing through the walls of the building, and hundreds of windowpanes had been shattered.

In addition to the dire condition of the building, A primary challenge was funding. The surrounding community has long suffered from economic divestment. That context made the renovation of a large building in poor condition a hard sell to potential investors even with Municipal involvement in the project. The construction documents were completed during the global pandemic. Escalating construction costs and competition for construction materials caused a budget crisis. Local, State, and Federal Governments worked to support the project and assemble a diverse mix of capital, and additional funding was secured. This investment from all levels of stakeholders underscored the urgency of this project for Orange Mound and made the revitalization possible.

Scheduling due to the complexities of the building was another major concern. Though the building’s structure was solid, the aesthetic conditions of the interior and exterior had fully deteriorated due to vandalism and moisture intrusion. Because of its status on the National Register of Historic Places, the design needed to balance preserving and recreating historic character while delivering various new uses. The building also required significant environmental remediation, which lengthened the demolition period. Finally, a significant deadline to complete Phase 1 Construction by mid-December 2023 created immense pressure for all involved.
Throughout the various project challenges, the Community remained highly engaged in the project’s success. The Revitalization of the Historic Melrose School was successfully completed and revealed to the public as a stunning representation of community spirit, municipal investment, and design excellence.
When working with historic buildings, it’s critical to prioritize the preservation and restoration of existing character while strategically incorporating enhancements through new design elements. With the building program being a vibrant mixture of community-centered uses, the design phase also required a very intentional focus on functionality, visual connection of spaces, and accessibility. Because of the deep connections between the residents and the previous building’s use as a high school, the interior utilizes the Melrose School colors of Maroon and Gold and the signature Orange Mound orange to give the development a sense of continuity with its past and connections to the present.

The Historic Corridor is an architectural spine that connects all program areas. Placed centrally between the Genealogy Center and Library, it contextualizes the revitalized building through historical design touches, and an intentional curation of murals and photography that Invites exploration and inspires visitors to engage in the history. The images showcase families and Melrose alumni, transporting visitors back in time to the neighborhood’s founding.

A prominent feature is the wood-paneled welcome desk, which creates a navigational icon in the corridor and is the nucleus of the building. Its design is inspired by the chalkboards, wainscots, doors, and transoms featured in the Original Melrose classrooms.

The admin desk stands as an anchor point along this spine between the core program areas. The desk orients visitors and provides wayfinding through color-coordinated flooring and signage. Due to the building’s status on the National Register of Historic Places, the TN SHPO required aspects of the original corridor to be incorporated, including reproductions of the 1938 paneled doors and suspended “Schoolhouse” light fixtures.

Though founded in 1890 and annexed into the City of Memphis in 1919, there has never been a Public Library in Orange Mound. As part of the project, one of the most impactful and intentional uses has been the development of the First Public Library in neighborhood history. Spaces include a specialized children’s library, Studio workspace, meeting rooms, and a flexible youth services space which opens onto an outdoor patio and community garden. This promotes literacy, STEM, and Arts programming for all ages.

The Genealogy Center is a critical piece of this project. Orange Mound is a community with a deep appreciation for history, with many residents tracing their lineages back to the founding of the neighborhood. Oral history has played a major role in keeping neighbors connected and invested in the revitalization of Orange Mound. The Recording Booth is a critical resource for this work. Therefore, dedicated programming and space for cataloging, archiving, and preserving these legacies and narratives. Flexible training areas are also available for conferences, Neighborhood Non-Profits, Audio/Video Recording, Community Conversations, and Oral History Collection. Books on genealogy and family research also create educational and self-discovery opportunities for all. An on-site archive included in the Genealogy Center allows for the ongoing stewardship of these cultural resources. The building is co-located on the site with an existing Orange Mound Senior Center, Community Center, and Health Center all creating a dynamic synergy of public uses.

This project is the culmination of over 40 years of community organizing and public-private partnership. Though owned and administrated by the City of Memphis, this building encapsulates the heart and soul of Orange Mound. It is a commitment to elevating the neighborhood and a priceless gift to future residents.
The reimagined Melrose School has brought the first Public Library in the 133-year history of the neighborhood. It has the additional impact of training and education spaces that lead to economic growth. The genealogy center enhances these benefits further, increasing educational access for all through the preservation of community artifacts, stories, and historical treasures.

Future phases will add senior housing on the upper floors of the building, allowing lifelong residents to age in place while enjoying all the community has to offer and connecting with their families. The project has already had a profound effect on the surrounding community as a catalyst encouraging more development in the neighborhood inspiring residents and business owners to re-invest in their community.

In this building, Orange Mound residents experience a sense of belonging in a people-centered redevelopment that promotes life-long learning, youth programs, cultural enrichment, and community pride.