The Restoration
About the Project
Preserving Black History through saving historic spaces is a conviction of Crockett and Tonya Oaks, the owners of Lincoln School, that sparked the Lincoln School Project.
Crockett W. Oaks III grew up hearing his father’s stories about his time as a student at Lincoln School. These stories always emphasized the closeness that belonging to Lincoln School offered. It connected an African American community as they stared into the face of the oppressive society and time that marginalized and isolated them.
That legacy struck Crockett Oaks III and sparked joy in his soul. He and his wife, Tonya, felt a profound obligation to restore the building and share the stories of those who attended there.
In July 2023, they purchased the building from the City of West Plains and began restoring it on August 7, 2023. While the building had never really been vacant, it had been neglected and needed numerous repairs. Lincoln School was restored through the Lincoln School Project, giving the historic building the love it deserved after all these years. The community members of West Plains rallied around this project and came together to assist in its completion.
While much of what is now seen at Lincoln School is new - like the wiring, light fixtures, paint, siding, kitchen, and more - old bones exist in Lincoln School. When you enter the building, you will see the original brick chimney floo from its time as a school, the six windows on the East-facing wall that were framed in original construction to let in as much light during the day (before electricity was in the building), and the wood flooring, 87% of which is original to the school with only repair pieces replacing the original boards.
And, of course, artwork all throughout Lincoln School pays tribute to the past, serving as a reminder of our shared history here.
The Oaks family feels that the shared past and collective memory of West Plains, Missouri members is shrouded in Lincoln School. Restoring the school and opening it up for community use has enabled the community members to face the difficult reality of racism within their own town, homes, and hearts in a very healthy way. By joining resources, hands, spirits, and minds to save a symbol of division, it released the community of its ugly past and paved the way for a brighter future.
You can learn more about the preservationists Crockett and Tonya Oaks here!
About the People
Crockett and Tonya, the visionaries behind the Lincoln School Project, met during their shared time at Langston University, eventually leading to their marriage and the birth of their three children and grandchild. Tonya grew up in Wichita, Kansas, while Crockett is a native Ozarker and West Plains High School Graduate born and raised in West Plains.
His father, Crockett Oaks Jr. (among other family members), attended Lincoln School until it closed in 1954 following the Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. the Board of Education. Crockett grew up in Lincoln School's history, having always known about it and its past, but he and his wife both discovered renewed interest upon their move to West Plains in 2020.
They both saw the immediate need to preserve West Plains' African American history and culture. They felt a sense of passionate obligation to save Lincoln School and its historical value. This pursuit for preservation led to their purchase of the building from the City of West Plains, a restoration project in 2023, and now their vision to make Lincoln School a cultural hub for community programs, events, and connections.
Crockett and Tonya’s goal is to continue providing viable and credible programming options for all people. What was once a symbol of division and marginalization in the West Plains community is now having a positive impact on a more inclusive future.
The ultimate vision is for the entire community to accept ownership of Lincoln School's past while moving toward a brighter future, individually and united through Lincoln School’s programming.
Photography by Gray Photography.