Lewisburg High All-School Reunion planned for 2025
The former Lewisburg School Building located on Lee Street, which was once home to Lewisburg High School, Lewisburg Jr. High School, and Lewisburg Elementary School, is 100 years old this year.
On April 6, 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Jon Withrow sold three acres and twenty four poles lying on the east side of what now is Lee Street to the Board of Education of the Lewisburg Independent District. The price was one thousand dollars. In 1878, Superintendent Thomas H. Dennis reported that “the Lewisburg Independent District had built a large and commodious two story brick house at the cost of four thousand dollars for its public school.” The red brick building of two stories with a three-story cupola had six rooms. Each room had its own pot bellied stove and served two grades.
By 1924, the building was completely remodeled and a new front was added. However, it is possible that the foundation and some of the original building were used, but the new building had a flat roof. Shortly thereafter, a small left wing was added, then a small right wing. The front of the building remained the same for the duration of the school’s history. Later additions and buildings were added to the back of the building. The first class to graduate from the school was in 1925, then the first students to complete four years of work at LHS graduated in 1927.
The school bell, which was erected in 1898 at the Lewisburg Graded School, was rung each morning as the call to begin the school day. It was used in the new building and in the late 1940’s, young students felt it was an honor to pull the long rope that rang the bell. The bell was purchased by George L. Lemon, Class of 1957, at a benefit auction held by the school to purchase band uniforms. He gave the bell to the town of Lewisburg, which placed it on a brick platform beside Lewis Spring in Andrew Lewis Park.
A wooden gymnasium was built separately behind the main building, which was used for all indoor sports, plays and social events. This gymnasium was destroyed by fire in 1935. The principal, along with the Board of Education and several interested citizens, began a campaign to secure funds for a new gymnasium with additional classrooms. In 1937, work had begun on the new addition to the brick building and was completed for the 1939-39 school year. Although the gymnasium was not regulation size, it was much needed and enjoyed. In the mid-1940s, additional land was acquired to be used for athletics.
In March of 1939 at the annual meeting of the Committee on Admission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Lewisburg High School was one of two schools in West Virginia to be admitted. This was a distinctive honor that gave the school national recognition.
In 1965 several school buildings in the county were rated as fire hazards by the state fire marshal and unless corrected, would have to close in the spring of 1966. A bond issue was approved in 1966 by the citizens of Greenbrier County to build two consolidated high schools in the county. Immediate repair began on the existing buildings, while construction began on the new Greenbrier East High School in Fairlea and Greenbrier West High School in Charmco.
The last class at Lewisburg High School graduated in 1968. With the opening of Greenbrier East, Lewisburg High School became Lewisburg Jr. High School until 1972 when the junior high schools also were consolidated. At that time, the school became Lewisburg Elementary School, and remained until the new elementary school building across town was opened in 2012.
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Currently, the former Lewisburg School Building is owned by the Lee Street Studios, which is continuing the legacy of education and community involvement. It provides artists with space to create, display, and sell their work, so as to further their artistic careers.
Throughout the years, Lewisburg High School Alumni have gathered for all-school reunions, which have included all graduates and former students. Once again, LHS Alumni and former students are invited to attend a Lewisburg High School All-School Reunion on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the “School Upon the Hill!” Additional reunion information will be provided later.