January 25, 2007

SUBJECT: Application for Historical Designation of the Wilson School and Playfield

FROM: Mark Antell, President
North Rosslyn Civic Association

TO: Kevin Vincent, Chair
Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB)

At our meeting on January 12, 2007, the North Rosslyn Civic Association unanimously endorsed an initiative to obtain recognition of the Wilson School and Playfield as an historic site.

We do so on two bases:

First of all, the core Wilson School Building is a wonderful example of the early 20th century ˜Monumental Beaux Arts' style of construction. Completed in 1910, it is the oldest example of this style in Arlington County, and is the only example of this style of construction remaining in the Rosslyn area.
Admittedly, additions and modifications have not been entirely kind to the original building. The bell tower has been removed, as has the original entrance with neoclassical pillars and portico.
But the core building itself remains today quite recognizable from early pictures.
It should also be noted that Wilson School influenced other early construction in Rosslyn. The nearby Colonial Village, which has been designated an historic site, apparently was influenced and directed by the preexisting Wilson School in terms of materials, brickwork, color patterns, and setting of the pre-existing Wilson School.

Secondly, the Wilson School and Playfield has always been the community center for Rosslyn and Fort Myer Heights. Public schools often define a community. This was even more the case in the early 20th century when families were larger and government services more limited. Schools directly ˜touched' most households and were one of the few government services that did so. Despite neglect, and staff policy discouraging community use, the Wilson School does today provide some community center services; it could easily provide more. The current usage is limited to a couple of community celebrations and a language class. Till quite recently though the school was made available to several community groups which used it as meeting space with some frequency. Also, the school playfield was heavily utilized by young adults as a site for pick-up soccer games till this use was displaced. This playfield is the only playfield within a mile of most of central Rosslyn. The North Rosslyn community generally believes that the playfield would again be used extensively if it were only made available. We further think that return of the playfield to public use would have great benefit in terms of community health and support for age diversity.

The North Rosslyn Civic Association believes that an historic designation for the Wilson School Building and Playfield would provide some impetus for:
- restoration of the grander portions of the Wilson School building,
- serious consideration for using the building as a location for servicing the local community, and
- a basis for re-establishing the Wilson School Playfield.