A landmark of progressive education and local history has reopened on Coastal Alabama Community College’s Fairhope campus following an extensive renovation, bringing renewed attention to one of the state’s oldest continuously used school buildings.

The Bell Building, originally home to the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education, has been carefully restored and reopened to the public. The structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now houses both the college’s art program and a museum dedicated to Johnson’s pioneering educational philosophy, a news release said.

The project was supported in part by funding from the Fairhope Single Tax Colony. Coastal Alabama Community College partnered with Langan Development and Lathan McKee Architects to oversee the meticulous process of deconstructing and rebuilding the historic structure while preserving its character.

Community members and dignitaries gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening. Attendees included alumni of the Marietta Johnson School, representatives from the Baldwin County Legislature, the Fairhope Single Tax Colony, the City of Fairhope, Coastal Alabama Community College, as well as supporters including the Cain Family and the Faust Family.

The Bell Building remains a rare piece of Alabama’s educational history. It is recognized as the state’s oldest existing school building still in continuous use as a classroom facility, a distinction that underscores its significance both locally and statewide.

“We are so excited to showcase the unique history of the Organic School in this stunning museum,” Coastal Alabama’s Fairhope Campus Director Mandy Bezeredi said in the release. “It is a valuable addition to Fairhope tourism, and we are ready to welcome even more community members and visitors.”

The newly established Marietta Johnson Museum offers visitors a glimpse into early 20th century educational practices through an extensive collection of archival materials. Coastal Alabama has appointed Alan Samry as museum curator, who is overseeing the preservation and presentation of historical documents, photographs and personal letters tied to the school’s legacy.

The reopening also positions the campus as a cultural destination in Fairhope, a city known for its arts community and historical preservation efforts along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

The Bell Building and the Marietta Johnson Museum are open to the public. For more information, call Coastal Alabama Community College’s Fairhope Campus at (251) 990-0420.