Valdese Elementary School, also known as the Old Rock School, is a historic

school A school is an educational institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is sometimes compuls ...

building located at Valdese,

Burke County, North Carolina Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 87,570. Its county seat is Morganton. Burke County is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. ...

. It was built in 1922–1923, and is a two-story,

fieldstone Fieldstone is a naturally occurring type of stone, which lies at or near the surface of the Earth. Fieldstone is a nuisance for farmers seeking to expand their land under cultivation, but at some point it began to be used as a construction mate ...

four square building with a hipped roof. It features a T-shaped

clerestory In architecture, a clerestory ( ; , also clearstory, clearstorey, or overstorey) is a high section of wall that contains windows above eye level. Its purpose is to admit light, fresh air, or both. Historically, ''clerestory'' denoted an upper l ...

above the auditorium space. It was constructed largely by Waldensian settlers from Northern Italy. It was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1984. The Old Rock School is now home to several community organizations and events, including Bluegrass concerts, the Old Colony Players, the Rock School Art Galleries, Old Rock School Railway Museum, and Valdese Travel and Tourism.

Old Rock School Railway Museum

The Old Rock School Railway Museum, also known as the Piedmont & Western Railroad Museum, is located on the lower level and is operated by the Piedmont and Western Railroad Club. Exhibits include photos, railroad art, tickets, railroad lanterns, steam whistles, spikes, silverware and china used on trains and other artifacts. The museum also features model railroad layouts, including a diorama depicting the original Waldensian settlers arriving by train on May 29, 1893.

Rock School Art Galleries

The Rock School Art Galleries are also located in the Old Rock School. Exhibits are organized by the Rock School Arts Foundation.

References

External links

Town of Valdese: Old Rock School

Old Rock School Railway Museum - Piedmont and Western Railroad Club
Waldensianism School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina School buildings completed in 1923 Buildings and structures in Burke County, North Carolina National Register of Historic Places in Burke County, North Carolina Tourist attractions in Burke County, North Carolina 1923 establishments in North Carolina {{BurkeCountyNC-NRHP-stub