Mobile, Ala. – Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies has just received the highest national recognition bestowed upon a preservation project by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Representatives of the Barton Academy Foundation accepted the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award today at the PastForward Conference in New Orleans on behalf of the foundation, Mobile County Public Schools, and the Downtown Mobile Alliance.

“I am thrilled beyond measure to receive the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award on behalf of the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who made the Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies happen,” said Elizabeth P. Stevens, Immediate Past President of the Barton Academy Foundation and President and CEO Emerita of the Downtown Mobile Alliance. “Being recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for what we did to renovate Barton Academy into a world-class public school is a great honor for the Mobile community. Every donor, construction worker, craftsman, professional, academician, student, parent, and so many more should know that this is their award too.”

Built in 1836, Barton Academy served as Alabama’s first public school. Barton Academy served as the MCPSS central office for several decades before being vacated in 2007 with plans to re-establish a school. The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners initiated the project by investing $4 million in exterior renovations to the building. The Barton Academy Foundation formed and raised another $14 million to renovate the interior.

Mobile County Public Schools reopened Barton in 2021 with a curriculum focused on project-based learning and global studies, world languages, entrepreneurship, STEM, and fine arts. The school currently enrolls 300 students in grades 6 through 9 and has already garnered state and national recognition for its academics, robotics, fine arts, and other programs.

“Restoring Barton Academy and reopening it as a successful magnet school has been a monumental accomplishment for MCPSS and our partners,” said Mobile County Public Schools Superintendent Chresal D. Threadgill. “This remarkable building is not just an architectural treasure; it’s a part of Alabama’s educational legacy, and it now stands as a beacon of opportunity and innovation for our students. The rebirth of Barton Academy is a prime example of what we can achieve when schools and the community unite around a vision for excellence. This award affirms the tireless dedication of everyone involved—from supporters to builders to educators—who have worked hand-in-hand to bring this historic space back to life for a new generation.”

With its Greek Revival Architecture, dome and ornate columns, Barton is a landmark of downtown Mobile. While the building retains its historic integrity on the exterior, the interior features modern classrooms, collaboration labs and spaces, and innovative technology. Its location in downtown Mobile allows students to participate in unique educational opportunities and partnerships, including walking field trips and history and art projects.

“I am forever grateful for the dedication of MCPSS and the Barton Academy Foundation in seeing Barton’s renovations to fruition.  Due to their commitment, Barton is once again bustling with bright students who represent a wonderful cross-section of Mobile County.  Our students and staff have had remarkable success in our first years since reopening, and Barton’s rebirth brings additional value to our vibrant downtown community which will positively impact Mobile for years to come,” said Barton Academy Principal Dr. Amanda Jones.

The National Preservation Awards include several of the industry’s highest honors, highlighting distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and corporations that give new meaning to their communities through skillful and determined preservation work.

The Driehaus award recognizes success in the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and interpretation of America’s architectural and cultural heritage. These coveted awards represent the “best of the best” in preservation and are evaluated based on the impact of a project on the community, the quality of the project, and how it may serve as an example for other projects.

“In our continued effort to celebrate the power of place, we gather at this PastForward Conference to honor some of the most effective leaders in the field of preservation,” said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Whether preserving and honoring African American burial grounds, or repurposing a former newspaper headquarters into a thriving downtown center, the efforts of our 2024 awardees have activated meaningful sites to serve the public good.”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic places to enrich our future. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/853c49c4/Ull6Nx2vTEWdamDzJjFHqg?u=https://savingplaces.org/