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The lease has been completed, signed by both parties and is now in effect. As it stands, the Central High Museum now has what its board members wanted, a 30-year lease at the current property. 

Back in November, the museum board came before county supervisors, asking for a larger extension than the one being offered by Charlotte. That original proposal was just a five-year lease, with the chance to be approved for another five at the end. The museum board members argued that with a short lease like the one proposed, there’s a chance they could be forced in 10 years to pick up and relocate again. That already happened once, in 2016, when the museum was required to move out of the main building of the original Central High School. Instead, they were made to relocate to the museum’s current home, in what used to be the school’s bus shop and agriculture building, located at 515 Thomas Jefferson Highway. Already required to move the museum once, its board members were hesitant about signing any lease that doesn’t provide security and stability. 

And so, county supervisors assigned Administrator Dan Witt to work with the museum board and develop a new lease that would be agreeable to both groups. 

What the new Central High Museum lease says 

The board wanted the security of a long-term lease, much like the Museum of Charlotte County has, so when people come into the county to see the exhibits and go through the preserved documents, the address on the brochure, tv ad or other marketing material remains the same. The Museum of Charlotte County, for example, has a 30-year lease at $1 a year, with an automatic 30-year renewal. That’s what the Central High folks wanted and what they got. 

The new lease is backdated to start on Sept. 12, 2024 and runs through Aug. 31, 2054. The museum board also has the right to extend the lease by another 10 years at the end, by notifying county staff. 

Repair and maintenance costs covered

Under the new Central High Museum lease, Charlotte County also covers repair and maintenance costs. Specifically, the lease says that the county “will be responsible for structural maintenance of the building and property, the areas of county responsibility including, although not exclusively, parking area, heating system, plumbing, electrical, roof, and exterior paint.” 

The way it works is that the museum board or staff will let the county know about a repair or maintenance need. If the county officials agree it’s necessary, then the county will make repairs and cover the costs. The county will also pay for all utility bills such as electricity, etc. 

In return, the museum staff agrees that the facility will be open at least eight hours each week. Also, there is also a termination clause in the new lease. Basically, the museum board would have to be defunct, no longer operational before that clause takes effect. Even under those circumstances, the museum would be given time to reconstitute a new board, before being asked to leave. In addition, if the building is not being adequately maintained, the county can terminate the lease. 

What is the Central High Museum?

Created in 1997, the Central High Museum was housed in the once segregated original school building. The land for the school was originally donated to the Black community by a Black citizen of Charlotte County, so that Black children in the area would have a place to go to school. Now in its current location, the museum houses more than 2,500 artifacts on display, detailing more than just what happened inside the school. Some of the material highlights the accomplishments of Central High alumni, from doctors to lawyers, teachers and civic leaders in Charlotte County and beyond. In 2020, the school was designated as part of the Civil Rights Education Heritage Trail.