Brickwork from the 1820s and a school building that grew over several decades: in Montvale, architectural history leads to two distinct topics. Locust Level brings together traces from several centuries on one estate; Montvale High School connects architecture with the development of a rural community. Visitors to Montvale can explore the area through a range of historical perspectives.

An Estate with Layers from Different Eras

The brick house at Locust Level was built in the 1820s. The estate also includes the ruins of the 18th-century Henry Buford House, outbuildings from the 19th century, and a family cemetery. This means the focus is not only on the construction date and materials of a single house. The features point to different periods; the cemetery adds a family dimension to the history of the buildings. Locust Level thus represents an estate whose features bring together several historical connections. To understand it, it is worth considering these parts separately rather than assigning them to a single building phase.

If you plan to visit Locust Level, check access arrangements in advance.

School Architecture and Local History

Montvale High School was built in 1930 as a school for white students in grades 1 through 12. This historical purpose is part of how the building should be understood and adds social context to its architectural history. The school was designed in the Colonial Revival style, with Art Deco influences. Colonial Revival refers to the revival of older American design traditions, while Art Deco brings a differently shaped visual language to the design. The two stylistic influences can be considered together without reducing the building to a single style. Alongside its original educational function, its design influences are also a focus.

Montvale High School was expanded continuously from the 1930s through the 1960s. This development demonstrates its growing importance as an educational center and social gathering place for the rural community. Its historical significance therefore lies not only in its 1930 construction or its architectural style: the extended period of expansion connects the school building with its growing role in community life. To understand its history, it is helpful to view the original building and later additions as distinct phases in the school’s history.

Two Perspectives on Montvale’s History

A clear thematic choice emerges from the comparison: Locust Level draws attention to an estate with features from several centuries; Montvale High School connects architecture with the growing importance of a school to the community over several decades. You can choose your historical focus based on whether you are more interested in the range of periods represented by the features of an estate or in the development of a school building and its role in the community. Both examples lead to architectural history, but on different scales.

Discover more destinations: Bedford, Forest, Moneta, Goode

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