The prospect of the former Lane School being rezoned for commercial use prompted many Royal Gazette readers to call on the Government to save it.

The East Broadway building was one of the first schools for freed slaves on the Island, with its foundation stone being laid on January 1, 1836.

Within 12 years it had already educated 600 young black Bermudians.

The Royal Gazette reported this week that the property's owners have applied to have its zoning changed from open space to commercial use paving the way for possible construction in the future. Their application has been lodged with a tribunal created by Government to look into objections and representations to the Draft Bermuda Plan 2008.

Agent for the property owners, Erwin Adderley, has insisted there are no plans at the moment to have the former school, now called Moonray Manor, demolished. He also denied there are construction plans, claiming that the owners are simply exercising their democratic right by requesting that the Draft Bermuda Plan Tribunal rezone the property.

Anti-racism group CURB has objected to the rezoning as has the Bermuda National Trust. Both have said the building is an important part of Bermuda's history.

In a letter to the tribunal the Trust added: "Our concern is that should the zoning of this site be changed to commercial, the likelihood of this building being preserved is negligible.

"While we understand that the listing of this building as one of historical significance is not within scope of this tribunal, we will provide our research to the Minister of Environment for his consideration presently."

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette received dozens of comments on our Facebook account. Most readers said they hope the building would be preserved and turned into an educational museum.

Cammie Berkeley wrote: "I am only finding out that there is a school on The Lane, which is very sad having lived in Bermuda all of my life and been educated here. It is important that we hold on to what little history which remains."

Joy Young Tucker suggested: "Why not turn it into a building for the community to use? Museum? Art centre for children?"

Katherine Masters contacted The Royal Gazette to say she believed "the building should be renovated and restored as a museum to show what the old Bermuda's education system consisted of i.e. tools, furnishings, dress codes".

Cynthia Brayley-Phillips wrote: "Bermuda keeps tearing down their old buildings. There will be nothing that shows their history except perhaps some old photos. I say keep it... restore it! This building plays a huge part of Bermuda's past."

And Karen Hopwood wrote: "Let's have some sort of community building where young people can learn — after all that is what it was originally — a place for young people to learn."

LaVonne Johnson suggested it would be a way to improve tourism, adding: "Save the reason a few tourists return... the heart of the people. This building helped to strengthen the hope and the hearts of many."