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July 1, 2012
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Parks and Rec continues to renovate all of its properties. Today, we are focusing on the old Lucketts School, now Lucketts Community Center. My mom used to work at the new Lucketts Elementary School (1972), so I used to be in this area a lot, especially for the Lucketts Fair and helping hand-churning the ice cream one or two times.
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Yum. Lucketts Fair, 2009.
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Lucketts Community Center is housed in Parks & Rec's oldest school building. The school opened in 1913 (Hopefully, someone realizes its 100 anniversary is next year and is starting to plan a celebration). It had two renovations in 1919 (probably the back classrooms) and 1929 (the auditorium). In 1972, it closed for the new Lucketts ES, right next door. The building was in such disrepair, it condemned as a firetrap, most notably the upper floors. The Lucketts Fair was actually created during this time to raise funds to restore the building. In 1982, it joined the Parks & Rec family and became a Community Center.
Before and Afters:
Most of the bigger exterior changes can be seen from the side view from the parking lot:
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May 2011
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July 2011
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July 2012
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The school's hyphen has been widened on both sides. The old hyphen had doors on both sides (and one side with an ADA ramp), giving Lucketts 2 of its 3 entrances. Now, there are 2 entrances. The new hyphen has gotten rid of the doors, while there is now an ADA ramp up to the Auditorium.
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It was a really tiny hyphen. May 2011
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Lucketts Fair, 2009
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July 2012
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The exterior looks a lot better with a fresh coat of paint and without all the A/C machines.
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Prior to when I first visited in 2011, they had
removed the cupola from the top of the building.
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May 2011
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July 2011
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July 2012
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The cupola and bell are now fully restored and back on top of the building.
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July 2011
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July 2012
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The cupola has been restored, the roof covering and windows have been replaced, and the walls have received a fresh coat of paint. Looks great.
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This view through the front doors has changed a lot:
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July 2011
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July 2012
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They added a second set of doors! Just past the doors is still the old staircase.
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Looking to the left through the front doors:
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July 2011
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July 2012
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And now to end with some random pictures:
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| New ADA entrance ramp into the Auditorium |
A peek through the new doors leading into the Auditorium:
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| Old looking light and bulb, but both new. They look great. |
Lucketts Community Center is a nice sized property, with a good mix of many fields and tree-shaded areas.
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A great playground
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| Some tree damage by the gazebo from Friday night's mega storm |
The Lucketts property is still in use during the center's renovation. Its activities continue in temporary trailers on the other side of the parking lot.
The renovation should finish up later this year. I can't wait to see it open!
Sources:
"250 Years of Service, Loudoun County, Virginia" Loudoun County Office of Public Information
Piedmont Virginian newspaper, April 4, 1973 (from Balch Library)
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