West Chester U. Building Wins Historic Preservation Award

WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University's 119-year-old Ruby Jones Hall will continue to be carefully rehabilitated, officials said.

That's thanks to a historic preservation award disbursed recently by the West Chester Downtown Foundation (WCDF).

The Bricks and Mortar Preservation Award aims to "honor projects both large and small that help highlight and preserve West Chester's historic character," according to their website. "By bringing attention to these projects, the WCDF hopes to encourage and engage business owners and residents of West Chester Borough in good preservation practices to strengthen the Borough's historic fabric."

According to the university, Ruby Jones Hall was opened in 1899 and has since served as an elementary school for faculty children, classrooms for the university, and faculty and staff offices.

It's named for a WCU alum from 1940 (and later an instructor) who was the university's first faculty member of color.

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