These days you drive past an old school building and wonder what is it used for today?

While these buildings may no longer hold daily classes, they still can be utilized by a community. The West Chester school building is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Though it closed to students in 1981, it has been refurbished by the West Chester Heritage Association as a museum of the school and town’s history, and as rentable space for family gatherings, group meetings, and more.

West Chester Heritage Association Vice President Dean Greiner talks about the organization, “When you drive around the area you see a lot of these old school buildings that are in disrepair, crumbling, and falling down. It’s an honor to be on this board, to keep this building here and present and operating. It’s a landmark to the area, it’s full of history. And to be celebrating the 100th birthday of this building is really something exciting.”

The building serves as the centerpiece of an annual celebration this weekend for West Chester alumni and community members. Several events will be happening this Saturday and Sunday at the West Chester school, including a potluck and an auction on Sunday. Heritage Association member Carol Hough says the proceeds of the auction go towards maintenance of the building and upkeep of the recreational areas: the kids’ playground, tennis and sand volleyball courts. The school and its museum will also be open for tours throughout the weekend.