DATE: Sunday, May 4, 1997                   TAG: 9705030061

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MEREDITH COHN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   70 lines

RENOVATED SCHOOLHOUSE WILL OFFER LESSONS IN CHESAPEAKE HISTORY

THE RED BRICK and the hardwood floors are restored, the brass light fixtures and door handles are new, and the asbestos is gone.

In about a month, the four-room former Portlock schoolhouse will be reborn as Chesapeake's Museum and Information Center.

The quest for the city's first museum began with a request from local activists of the City Council in 1992. History buffs and proud longtime residents convinced the city to lease them the turn-of-the-century elementary school for a token sum and pay for hundreds of thousands in long-overdue renovations.

There were squabbles with the city over its contribution and tensions between activist groups debating how to use the space.

Now issues of how the old schoolhouse will be used and financed fall to Ruth D. Akright, a curator hired by the museum and information center's board of directors.

Before the early June opening, Akright and board President Pauline Dennis said they would be seeking artifacts, photos and any other items of historical significance for two rooms of permanent displays. A third room will be used for visiting exhibits, and a fourth will serve as an office, information clearinghouse and meeting room. Restrooms and a kitchenette have been added.

Some items already have been acquired, including American Indian artifacts and a printing press that dates to 1912, said Akright, who started as curator about two weeks ago. And while the building itself has not been restored and will not be the focus of the museum, she would like to find an original school desk and collect other period items, and maybe a compile a diary from those who attended the school.

``Our focus will be on Chesapeake history, not just Portlock or South Norfolk,'' Akright said. ``We want people to come from every area of the city, and we want to collect items from every part of the city.''

Akright, who has a background in interior design, most recently worked as a preservation and restoration consultant and office manager of a real estate company. She has also served as interim resident curator and site manager for Upper Wolfsnare and administrator for the Francis Land House, both 18th century homes in Virginia Beach.

As Chesapeake's museum curator, Akright said her primary goal would be to draw in children.

``If we don't let them know what their history was, give them a base, they won't know who they are,'' she said.

The museum is next to the fire station off Freeman Avenue near the intersection of Bainbridge Boulevard in South Norfolk. Museum officials expect it to attract drivers from the nearby interstates, I-64 and I-464. There will be highway signs and brochures for attractions in all Hampton Roads cities that will guide visitors. A museum staffer will be available to answer questions.

Admission is free, but donations will be encouraged. Money from meetings, wedding receptions and other events will help pay bills.

Dennis, president of the museum board, played down earlier disagreements over the building's mission and financing.

``Other groups want different things, but from day one we said we wanted a museum,'' she said. ``I realize the city has priorities of greater importance to them, and they never had restored a building or employed a curator, but they bent over backward when they saw how much we want to do this.'' MEMO: Anyone interested in donating items or volunteering at

Chesapeake's Museum and Information Center can call Akright at 486-8779. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

STEVE EARLEY/The Virginian-Pilot

Map KEYWORDS: MUSEUMS

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