Rosa True School

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.[1]

The Rosa True School in November 2011.
Full view of the Rosa True School.

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.[2]

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.[3]

In 1992, the property was converted into 8 low income apartments primarily through local anti-gentrification efforts and the availability of tax credits.[1] The redevelopment of the property also resulted in $900,000 put into the local economy and job training for young people.[4]

References
  1. Delvac, William F.; Escherich, Susan M.; Hartman, Bridget (June 1995). Affordable Housing Through Historic Preservation. National Trust for Historic Preservation. pp. 41–. ISBN 9780788124655.
  2. "Hearing on School Head Continued". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. October 12, 1971. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  3. "The preservation movement in Portland". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  4. "ROSA TRUE SCHOOL PROJECT DESERVES NATIONAL ATTENTION THIS RENOVATION HAS WORKED FOR EVERYONE". Portland Press Herald. June 15, 1994. p. 12A. Retrieved 24 November 2011.


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