Pittsylvania Co. Supervisors hope to revamp former elementary school

By John Crane
Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 20, 2008

CHATHAM — Members of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors toured Chatham Hall’s newly renovated Pruden Hall on Monday to see how an old building can be revamped.

Supervisors have been considering upgrading the former Chatham Elementary School building on South Main Street and using it to house the county’s administrative, zoning, building inspection and finance offices. The move would leave more room in the Moses Building and the courthouse building for the sheriff’s office, clerk of court and the commonwealth’s attorney, as well as the county jail.

County Administrator Dan Sleeper, who also took part in the tour led by Chatham Hall historian and English teacher Bill Black, said it was an educational opportunity for supervisors. The tour was a chance to see how an old structure can be redone and what it entails.

“It always helps for the board to see a renovated facility,” Sleeper said.

Pruden Hall, which contains Chatham Hall’s administrative offices and dorms, opened in 1907. It replaced a previous building, which burned on Feb. 16, 1906, Black said. The Danville Bee reported at the time that the fire originated from a faulty stovepipe, he noted.

Pruden Hall was renovated in 1993, when heating, air-conditioning, water piping, and channels for technology were upgraded, Black said. Rooms and windows were later renovated.
Black also gave a tour of neighboring Dabney Hall, which houses classrooms and dorms and was built in 1912.

As for revamping Chatham Elementary, Sleeper said the county has about $7.5 million in annual debt service for past school projects, making a renovation project unlikely anytime soon. County officials estimate the school upgrade would cost about $5 million.

Contact John R. Crane at or (434) 791-7987.