Perkins Elementary opened in 1958 and was located at 2400 Queensboro Ave. South. It cost $240,442 to build and had 12 classrooms, 10 teachers and 256 students. The first principal was Fred Burney who was in that position until 1962. The formal dedication was on February 22, 1959. By 1964 the school had 24 classrooms, 27 teachers and 851 students. Perkins became a magnet school for the Arts and International Studies in 1994 with Robert Lister as Principal. The school has Pre-K through fifth grade, including special ed, gifted and the arts, which include dance, drama, instrumental, and visual/graphic arts, and Spanish. The old school building was used until June 1999. A new elementary school was built behind the old campus and was opened in August 1999. The new school building was dedicated on May 11, 2000. More pictures from the Building of Perkins Who was Perkins? 
George Wesley Perkins was born in Gainesville, Florida, and began teaching at the age of 16 in a one-room school house in Archer, Florida. He moved to St. Petersburg in 1925 and became the principal of Jordan Elementary School and then Gibbs High School. When Gibbs opened during the depression, it was overcrowded and under-supplied. The county was unable to fund the school so George Perkins organized a program in which people bought a brick for $10 to build a combined gym, auditorium and cafeteria for the school.
George Perkins died in 1955. He will be remembered as one of the early African-American pioneer educators of St. Petersburg.
And the Al Downing Theater? Alvin J. Downing (1916-2000), known as Al, was an local jazz musician and teacher who influenced many children to pursue careers in music. One of the famous World War II Tuskegee Airmen, Downing was also the leader of the 613th Army Air Force Band. Upon his return from the war as a Major, he formed the Allegro Music Society and the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association. The Association helps children learn about and appreciate jazz. Downing started teaching in 1939 at Gibbs High School located in St. Petersburg. There he founded the school's first marching band and orchestra. He was also a music instructor at St. Petersburg Junior College for many years. Called the "Ambassador of Jazz" for his notable contribution to music education in Pinellas County, Downing will always be fondly remembered for inspiring young students to learn about music. When he retired, Downing remained active in education by visiting Perkins Elementary to share his knowledge of jazz with the students. His dedication to jazz prompted the school to name its theater in his memory. 
Decorating the entrance of The Al Downing Theater, this mural depicts Al Downing surrounded by elements of the school's history including a children's choir and musical instruments. Entitled "I Sing Because," the mural gives a message to the children ... "Reach for the Moon". The mural was designed by local artist Herbert Davis, after talking with the staff and students of Perkins Elementary and touring the school for inspiration. 
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So... how do you spell “Theatre er”? |
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