The first public school established in Palm Beach County was constructed in the town of Linton in 1894 by African American settlers who petitioned the Dade County Schools Superintendent (now Palm Beach). The one-room, thatched hut “Dade County School #4, Colored,” was located on Blackmer Street, currently NW 5th Avenue in the West Settlers Historic District.

The school closed in 1907 due to lack of attendance. African American children worked in farm fields and at hotels and were only entitled to six months of education annually. Additional schools were built, and with the vision and determination of Clarence C. Walker and Solomon D. Spady, many generations of African American students were given the opportunity to excel in a segregated South Florida.

In 1896, a one-room schoolhouse was established by white settlers for children of European descent on the corner of what is now Swinton and Atlantic Avenue. It was built with a donation of $50 from early pioneer William Linton and a School Board grant of $250 for materials. It was a single story, one frame building and had a front porch and a small bell tower. There were 33 white children in attendance in June of 1896. The school also served as town hall, recreational hall and a non-denominational church.

In 1913, Delray Elementary School was constructed (now Cornell Art Museum). In 1925, a new, separate buildling for the Delray High School was constructed (now Crest Theatre). A gymnasium (now Vintage Gym) was also built in 1925.

Delray High School closed in 1950 when Seacrest High School opened. The elementary school graduated its final class on June 7, 1988. For nearly 75 years the complex was a center of culture and education, hosting church services, community meetings and band performances. But now, the historic buildings were in severe decline and many thought to tear them down.

When it was announced in 1985 that the Palm Beach County School Board intended to close deteriorating school sites county wide, Mayor Doak Campbell requested that the Delray Beach Historical Society set up a task force to consider a long-term use for the historic property. “Old School Square” Foundation was formed to provide direction to the City Council and develop a program that preserved the three historic buildings. Chairwoman Frances Bourque expanded the group of courageous volunteers in 1987 and pursued a feasibility study for the restoration of the buildings and transition to an arts and cultural center.

The City of Delray Beach purchased the property in 1987 and a new era of revitalization was born.