The former George Washington Carver Regional High School, located on Route 15, was constructed in 1948 and served as the regional high school for African American students. To date Culpeper County has invested more than $1 million in purchasing, renovating and improving the Carver Center. A facility plan was completed in 2015, providing a roadmap to follow in prioritizing renovations and understanding the potential of various structures. Asbestos abatement, window replacement, outbuilding renovations and partial interior renovations are now complete.
The American Institute of Welding and New Pathway’s Tech are both located at the Carver Center and are currently offering classes and enrolling new students. Germanna Community College and Virginia State University are partnering with existing program providers at the Carver Center to offer credit and non-credit courses.
Future plans include opening a commercial kitchen for educational use and value added agriculture packaging and small business operations. The Carver Center has a great deal of potential for new businesses to co-locate alongside our existing partners. In addition to the existing school and outbuildings there are 12 acres to expand or facilitate complementary uses such as greenhouses, crop studies, maker spaces, or other great ideas. As the owner of this property, Culpeper County is very open to new ideas and sharing the space and amenities the school may have to offer our region.
The main school includes two fully renovated office spaces with handicap accessible bathroom that could be leased immediately, large classrooms on the main level and the upper level, a large auditorium and cafeteria, a woodworking shop, and a fully renovated library to be used by the GWC Alumni as a museum.
The Carver Center Contacts:
American Institute of Welding
https://www.americaninstituteofwelding.com/
Bob Hodge rchodge2@yahoo.com
GWC Agriculture Research Center, Inc.
Carl Stafford (540) 727-3435 ext 351
ccstaffo@vt.edu
www.gwcarc.org
GWC Regional High School Alumni Assoc.
Lois Goodal
gwcrhs965@hotmail.com
www.gwcrhsaa.org
.
New Pathways Tech, Inc.
https://www.germanna.edu/workforce/
www.newpathwaystech.com
GWC Food Enterprise Center
Becky Gartner (540) 727-3435 ext 344
rebes13@vt.edu
www.gwcfec.org
New Farmer Program
Roger Williams rogerw@nordlink.com
Small Farm Outreach Program - VSU
William Crutchfield (804) 524-3295
www.ext.vsu.edu/small-farm-outreach-program/
Rapidan River Master Gardeners Association
Gail Holland irpaints@starpower.net
Culpeper County Government
Paul Howard (540) 727-3409
phoward@culpepercounty.gov
