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 As I walk through our two historic school buildings on Main Street, I imagine what the students and teachers must have been like in the 1920s and '30s.
I also reminisce about my start in the district in the '70s and think proudly of the thousands of Groveport Madison students during my tenure who have strolled through these halls as kindergartners and into their senior year.
Our two oldest buildings, Groveport Elementary and the Junior High have a combined history of more than 140 years. Both schools are on the National Register of Historic Places and need to be preserved as part of the fabric of our community.
At one time, Groveport Elementary housed Groveport High School. The Junior High was built as its replacement and once served as the Freshman School. The two buildings are more than their addresses or facades. They are the woodwork along which your mother, grandfather or even great grandfather slid their hands. They are the blackboards on which the teacher so gracefully filled with chalk. They are the windows in the classroom doors through which a young man peaked through for that special girl. They are the wooden floors that creaked when a youngster tried to sneakily leave an apple on the teacher's desk.
The beauty of the decision we face this election season is the ability to preserve our OWN history. These buildings can take on new roles in our community. Many of the things that evoke our memories of the past are the most incompatible with school facility requirements today.
In theory, our administrative offices could be moved to one of the buildings when they are freed of their classroom duties, but even then, we'd never fill it and the space needs to be used efficiently and responsibly. The naturally lit gymnasium in the Junior High can continue to contribute to the fitness of our residents, and the Community Theater could benefit from a unique venue in the elementary school's classic period auditorium. Senior citizen and other community-based organizations can possible find a home there. Imagine the pride of a historical society that could soon call a nationally recognized site a home.
I marvel at the golden opportunity before us to shape the future. Collectively, we can preserve the district's history and bring additional benefits to the community.
We want to hear from you. How do you think the Elementary or Junior High should be repurposed? What are your memories of these timeless structures? Drop us an email at gm.preservation@gocruisers.org to share your thoughts. |