Gwinnett County opens Hooper-Renwick Themed Library honoring legacy of historic black school

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County officials are celebrating the grand opening of the Hooper-Renwick Themed Library, a project honoring Black history and community legacy through a partnership with the city of Lawrenceville, Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee, and the Gwinnett County Public Library Board of Trustees.

The facility, located at 56 Neal Boulevard in Lawrenceville, officially opened to the public on Tuesday, June 17, and is the first themed library in the Southeast.

The long-awaited project brings new life to the historic Hooper-Renwick School, which once served as the only public high school for Black students in Gwinnett County. 

The vision of the project began in 2017 when a group of former students and community advocates formed the Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee.

Formerly 11,475-square-feet, the restored and expanded facility now spans 27,327 square feet, housing a full-service library, community gathering spaces and immersive exhibits that showcase accomplishments and memorabilia related to the school. 

Original elements of the building prominent in the final design include exposed rafters above the library portion of the facility, the restored façade of the school building and the original gym floor, which was repurposed as flooring in the upper-level exhibit space.

“From the history of the school to the personal stories of Hooper-Renwick’s students and teachers, the Hooper-Renwick Themed Library showcases our forward-thinking approach to preservation,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. 

“Today, we’re cutting the ribbon on a gateway to understanding, reopening a space for learning and inviting all to share in our hope.”

Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee Chair Coni Brown said the building’s transformation into a themed library captures its deeper meaning for the community. 

“Hooper-Renwick has always been more than a building; it was a beacon of hope, education and pride for our community during a time when opportunity wasn’t always within reach for everyone,” said Brown, who was a student at Hooper-Renwick School before integration. 

“Preserving its legacy means honoring the sacrifices and triumphs of those who came before us. Today, it stands as both a symbol of resilience and a promise to future generations that their history matters.”

The $20.5 million project was funded using $18.8 million from the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and $1.7 million from the city of Lawrenceville, which also provided the 3.8-acre site, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping.

Lawrenceville Mayor David Still highlighted the collaborative approach behind the project.

“This project was a true partnership between the city of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett County Public Library System, all under the guidance of the Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee,” said Mayor Still. “A tremendous effort was put forth by all parties to bring this vision to reality.”

The library represents more than just a space for books. It is a place of reflection, learning, and inspiration.  

“The Hooper Renwick Library is about remembering our past while reaching forward toward our future — and offering every person who walks through these doors the tools to dream, to read, to imagine and to thrive,” said Gwinnett County Public Library Board of Trustees Chairman JT Wu.