The Wheatley Historic Preservation Association (WHPA) is a 501 (c) 3 Not-for-Profit organization established to preserve the historical significance of Wheatley School and it's contributions. It was built in 1901 to serve the educational needs of the Negro children. In 1957 the last (Negro) class was graduated from the school. It continued serving Negroes until 1964. At this time it began to serve 4th - 6 th grades on an integrated basis. Some time later it was used as an early childhood program, closing in January 2001. Soon after the City of Poplar Bluff, the Poplar Bluff R1 School District, and interested members of the community implemented plans to utilize the school. Through collective efforts the results were the following: Historical Museum and Elementary educational tutoring center. The combined resources of the neighborhood and city were utilized. Today, it continues to meet the educational needs of students, as well as, display some significant glimpses of a historical past. In addition, the WHPA has developed an annual calendar of events and makes the facility available for various needs of the community.