When, in January of 2007 a raging fire engulfed Waterford's Old School, the cultural heart of the community, all the gallant fire fighters could do was decide what should be saved and what should be left to burn. The fire was too fierce to save it all in time, and saving even the main building was a challenge.

"We were determined to rebuild this iconic building to serve a new century of citizens," emphasized Kathleen Hughes, director of development programs for The Waterford Foundation. "We listened to the greater Waterford community and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, which holds the easement, who wanted the new building to complement but not overshadow the old. The new building had to have the same remarkable acoustics and intimacy as the original auditorium, yet provide a bigger, more versatile performance space. I think people will agree we've achieved all that in the new Waterford Old School."

Nevertheless, the historic Greek Revival classroom portion of the building was saved, and now, thanks to the dedication and determination of The Waterford Foundation and Village leaders, a splendidly restored and redesigned Old Waterford School complex that includes a totally rebuilt auditorium and performance space, is ready to open.

The newly designed auditorium and performance space are so sensitively planned that they will certainly serve as a symbol of the 21st century community spirit that continues to make Waterford, Virginia such an exceptionally special place.

The Old School was constructed in 1910 and the auditorium and a connector building were added in 1928. Declared as surplus to the County, the Old School was placed at auction on the Courthouse steps in 1965. In a valiant effort to retain this piece of Loudoun history, private citizens, on behalf of The Waterford Foundation, prevailed at the auction and purchased the property for $18,000.

The Waterford Old School is not only a compelling architectural artifact, but prior to the fire over the past four decades the Foundation had invested nearly a half million dollars and countless volunteer hours to keep the building in continuous service to the community as a center for a diverse array of functions.

In addition to the annual Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibit that brings over 150 carefully selected artisans and 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to the Village, the Old School provides a home for the popular and standing-room-only Waterford Concert Series that for seventeen years has brought fine classical musicians to western Loudoun County.

The new Old School facility will continue to be available to the community for citizen association meetings, public forums, concerts, public lectures and private rentals.

Many generous individual donations, sale of a permanently eased building, insurance proceeds, tax credit sales, and grants from the Graham, Cabell and Morgan Foundations, as well as $150,000 from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors for a sprinkler system, have made the return of the Waterford Old School possible.

This April, the annual Waterford Concert Series will come home to the new Waterford Old School. Subscriptions are now on sale for the 18th season that includes five Sunday afternoon concerts of the best classical music in the historic Village. The Afiara String Quartet begins the series on April 29th with the Monumental Brass Quartet following with a concert on May 13th.

The Next Generation Levine School of Music Competition Winners will play June 3rd, with Maryland Opera Studio appearing October 23rd. The final concert by American University's Chamber Singers will conclude the 2012 season on November 18th.

Annual subscriptions for five unforgettable performances are $100 for adults and $50 for students, with children 12 years of age and under admitted at no cost.

To make your reservations for the 2012 Waterford Concert Series, or for more information about cultural events in Waterford, Virginia, please visit www.waterfordfoundation.org.