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"People who create in our companies - whether they be scientists, marketing experts or business strategists - benefit from exposure to the arts. People cannot create when they work and live in a culturally sterile environment..." John D. Ong, Chairman Emeritus of The B.F.Goodrich Company

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History of the Auditorium

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A special joint meeting of the Greensville County School Board and the County Board of Supervisors was held on Friday, October 6, 1933.

Board of Supervisors present included: H.T.Watkins-Chairman, C.S.Powell, F.W.Hawkins, and J.Sol Wrenn-Clerk.

School Board members included: E.E.Goodwyn-Chairman, Fannie Rawls, J.R. Barrow and C.K.Holsinger-Clerk.

After careful consideration of the proposal, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the School Board to apply for a grant to build an auditorium. They also passed a resolution to borrow money from the Literary Fund for construction costs.

The construction contract was signed in May, 1934. The auditorium, a PWA project, was built with brick made right here in Emporia and constructed by mostly local labor. On November 19, 1934 the auditorium was formally accepted by the School Board and on January 14, 1935 a committee was named for the dedication of the new building, officially called the Greensville County High School Auditorium.

Considering the planning and construction happened during the depression era, it was a bold action by a group of leaders interested in enhancing quality of life for the community. It was built to serve the elementary and high schools, as well as the community. History was made that evening that would affect the lives of many until 1998 when the school complex closed its doors.

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