LAWRENCEVILLE — The Hooper-Renwick Themed Library has been named Redevelopment Project of the Year at the Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit. The award recognizes metro Atlanta projects that demonstrate excellence in design, innovation and community impact.
The project reimagines the historic Hooper-Renwick School, once the only public school for Black students in Gwinnett County, as a themed public library and museum that connects the past to the present through education, preservation and storytelling.
“The Hooper-Renwick project reminds us that progress doesn’t mean replacing history, it means learning from it,” Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said. “To have this project recognized as Redevelopment Project of the Year validates the vision we had for this place — preserving the past while giving our community a library and museum that uplifts us all.”
The Hooper-Renwick School was founded in the 1940s and served as the county’s only Black public school during segregation. Originally a modest facility, it grew over time to include additional classrooms, a gymnasium and other improvements funded largely through the determination of local families and educators who wanted better opportunities for their children. The school became a cornerstone of Gwinnett’s Black community, fostering generations of students who went on to become civic leaders, teachers and entrepreneurs.
When Gwinnett County schools were integrated in 1968, Hooper-Renwick closed as a public school. The building later housed administrative offices and storage, but former students and community members long advocated for its preservation as a historic landmark. Their vision — to honor the school’s legacy and create a space for learning and reflection — became the foundation for the redevelopment project recognized today.
Developed in partnership with the city of Lawrenceville, the new facility preserves original structural elements, such as portions of the school’s brick exterior and classroom layout, while adding modern spaces for exhibits, reading and community engagement. The museum portion highlights the contributions of Hooper-Renwick’s educators and students, while the adjoining library offers expanded access to books, technology and educational programs.
The Redevelopment Project of the Year award honors projects that strengthen the region’s cultural, social and economic vitality. The Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit is hosted by Partnership Gwinnett and the Council for Quality Growth.
