The Spencer-Penn Centre
DeHart Dance Theatre students performing at the Centre's 7th Birthday Bash.
The Spencer-Penn School served the small rural community of Spencer for seventy-seven years, not only as an educational institution, but also as the center of civic and social life. Today, in its new incarnation as the Spencer-Penn Centre, the renovated school stands as a testament to the remarkable volunteer spirit of the citizens of Spencer while serving once again as a vital community resource. Recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, it houses a library and a computer lab, hosts classes ranging from art to yoga, and provides space for banquets, conferences, receptions and concerts. Click here for information on renting Centre facilities for your next event.
The John Shackelford Courtyard in bloom.
Mission
The mission of the Spencer-Penn School Preservation Organization is to provide an educational and special events center for Spencer and surrounding communities by preserving the structure, facilities, artifacts and history of the Spencer-Penn School. We envision a facility that provides programs to inform people about a variety of subjects, allows them to experience a variety of performing arts, and provides entertainment and healthy activities for their families. This facility also provides a place where they can celebrate special events in their lives.
This facility is operated in a nondiscriminatory manner with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, age or handicap. Complaints of discrimination may be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.
Our Community
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Centre News
Position Available. The Spencer-Penn Centre is currently seeking a Community Kitchen Marketing Manager. If you are interested in applying, please read the position description and submit an application to the Centre by May 30, 2012.
Cooking Classes for Kids. The Virginia Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a three-day cooking experience for children ages 6-12 on June 19-21, 2:00-4:00pm, at the Centre. Preregistration and prepayment by June 1 is required. See the event flyer for more information.
Craft & Collectable Sale. We are looking for vendors to join us on Sat Sept 15 for our Spencer-Penn Centre Craft & Collectable Fair. We have spaces available inside and out; contact the Centre to reserve yours.
Seniors Exercise Special. Deana DeHart, director of DeHart Dance Theater, is now leading a special exercise class for seniors on Mondays at 11:30am at the Centre. The class will emphasize flexibility and stretching and will incorporate dance. The fee is $3 per session. Plans will be made for future classes responding to participants’ needs. Please contact the Centre to preregister.
Cody Miles, 15, of Bassett, uses a meat thermometer to do a final check on the pig he cooked at the Pig Cookin’ Contest on Saturday at the Spencer-Penn Centre. His team won first place, beating out the team of his father, Raymond Miles, which came in second. (Martinsville Bulletin photo by Mike Wray)
Son beats his father at first pig cookoff at Spencer-Penn. Sunday, April 15, 2012, by Trisha Vaughan, Martinsville Bulletin Staff Writer.
Photography Exhibition and Sale. Items will be on display throughout the month of April.
Weave-In. The Spencer-Penn Centre invites you to participate in our first annual basket “Weave-In” on Saturday, April 28. To sign up, and to see photos of the baskets available to make, please refer to the Registration Information.
From the Harvest Foundation: “Never Say Never” Attitude of Volunteers Attributes to the Spencer-Penn Centre's Success. “Sweat equity, planning, and ‘selling hot dogs’ created this vibrant community treasure.” Feb 7, 2012.
Food Network Contacts the Spencer-Penn Community Kitchen. The Food Network has contacted the Spencer-Penn Kitchen Incubator seeking food entrepreneurs in the process of opening their first food business to be featured in a television series. To be considered, a business must be a brick-and-mortar retail space such as a restaurant, bakery, gastropub, ice cream shop, etc., with walk-in customers and onsite food preparation. The series will document such businesses leading up to opening and through their early weeks of operation. Famed restaurateur and Food Network host Bobby Flay will be on hand to advise the owners about both food and running a food business. We are looking for folks planning to open between now and summer 2012. Please contact the Centre to submit your business for consideration.
Girl Scouts receive cooking badges at Spencer-Penn.
The Centre is on YouTube! Check out this photographic montage, then watch Jeff Little tickling the ivories on Music Night.
The Spencer-Penn Community Kitchen now has its own website! You can find it here.
Newsletter
To learn more about what's happening at the Centre, read our monthly Newsletter and the quarterly Chalkboard.
Support
Please take a moment to read our Annual Giving Letter and learn how you can support the Centre.
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