Gwinnett County officials, community leaders, and proud residents gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Hooper-Renwick Themed Library in Lawrenceville, a milestone event honoring Black history, educational equity, and community resilience.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Tuesday, June 17, marked the official debut of the Southeast’s first themed library, the result of a visionary partnership between Gwinnett County, the City of Lawrenceville, the Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee, and the Gwinnett County Public Library Board of Trustees.
Located at 56 Neal Boulevard, the new library breathes life back into the former Hooper-Renwick School—once the only public high school for Black students in Gwinnett County. The building now serves as a library and living archive, thoughtfully designed to educate, inspire, and preserve the community’s story. The transformation is a product of years of dedication. In 2017, a group of former students and community members established the Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee to ensure the school’s rich history would not be forgotten. That vision has now been realized in a 27,327-square-foot facility that blends historic preservation with forward-thinking design.
What was once an 11,475-square-foot school now features a full-service library, dynamic community gathering spaces, and immersive exhibits that highlight personal stories, historical artifacts, and memorabilia tied to Hooper-Renwick’s past. Key architectural elements, including the original gym floor, restored building façade, and exposed ceiling rafters, have been preserved to honor the structure’s roots.
“This themed library is a gateway to understanding,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “We’re not just preserving a building—we’re creating a space for learning, reflection, and connection across generations.”
For Coni Brown, Chair of the Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee and a former student of the school, the opening represents a full-circle moment.
“Hooper-Renwick was always more than a building—it was a symbol of hope, education, and pride during a time when opportunities were not equal,” said Brown. “Today, it stands as both a tribute to the past and a promise to future generations that their history matters.”
The $20.5 million project was primarily funded by Gwinnett County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which contributed $18.8 million. The City of Lawrenceville provided an additional $1.7 million and contributed the 3.8-acre site, along with sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping enhancements.
Lawrenceville Mayor David Still praised the spirit of collaboration that brought the project to fruition.
“This has been a true partnership between local government, community advocates, and the library system,” said Mayor David Still. “It’s a powerful example of what can happen when we come together to honor our shared history and invest in our collective future.”
The library is now open to the public, offering not only access to books and resources but also a space for dialogue, discovery, and community engagement.
