“An Educational Center”

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Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

“Newton Comes to the Front as an Educational Center“

In 1888, Newton schools experienced a building boom. The 2nd Ward School (Lincoln) had been in use since 1884 and likely received some upgrades when the 1st Ward School (Cooper) and 3rd Ward School(McKinley) were constructed in 1888.

Newton Daily Republican, 26 August 1888.

2nd Ward School, (later Lincoln)

3nd Ward School, (later McKinley)

First Ward School (later Cooper)

The Newton Daily Republican noted that “the time is to be hoped for when every young person in Newton and Harvey county will aspire to be a graduate of the High School.”

The editors praised those involved in the decision to build two new schools for the 1st & 3rd Wards and the contractors that completed the projects.

“Newton has two school buildings as fine as the state affords.  They will long bear witness to the good qualities of the people who provided the wherewithal, and to the faithfulness of the Board of Education who made so judicious use of public funds.”

The editor had every confidence that the schools would all be ready for students “the first morning of October just as the town clock is on the stroke of nine.”

Newton High School, 7th & Oak 1889-1913, also known as the “First Ward School”, renamed Cooper School, 1913-1938.

Photo is taken from the Courthouse tower looking east/southeast – Cooper School is on the left indicated with a blue arrow. Ca. 1920s.

J. W. Cooper was principal until 1888 then promoted to Superintendent of schools and Cooper Grade School was named in his honor.

Discussions regarding the Cooper School building took place as early as 1912 in connection with the construction of a new high school.

Evening Kansan Republican, 5 January 1912, p. 1.

South Side of Cooper Elementary, ca. 1939.

West side of Cooper Grade School, 1938. Demolition has begun.

Despite challenges the Cooper School remained in use until 1938,  when a new building was constructed. A new McKinley School building on east 1st and Pine was also constructed at the same time.

Pamphlet of the new Cooper Grade School, ca. 1939, Lorentz Schmidt, Wichita, Architect.

Building the new Cooper School, 1938.

Cooper Grade School Placing the Cornerstone ceremony on 24 April 1938.

Cooper Grade School, construction, 1938, at the intersection of 8th & Oak. Old building is visible at the right edge of photo.

Postcard of Cooper Grade School, ca. 1940s

 

Cooper Grade School, E. 8th & Oak, Newton, Ks, 1947.

The Cooper Early Education Center in 2012.

Cooper Early Education Center, E. 7th & Oak, Newton, Ks, 2012.

Sources:

  • Newton Daily Republican: 28 January 1888, 8 February 1888, 26 August 1888,  26 July 1889, 31 July 1889.
  • Evening Kansan Republican: 10 June 1899, 30 July 1900, 27 April 1901, 18 July 1907, 5 January 1912, 12 January 1912, 10 July 1914.

The Giddy 8 of ’98

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

The first school in Harvey County was established in Sedgwick, Kansas in September 1870 with C.S. Bullock and his wife as teachers. We do not have a great deal of information on early schools in Sedgwick, however, looking through photos I came across a collection entitled; “The Giddy 8 of ’98.”

In 1898, the graduating class of Sedgwick High consisted of 8 young ladies. Although their senior photos  all look quite serious, they must have had some fun to earn the title of “Giddy 8.”

Sedgwick Pantagraph, 19 May 1898.

The Sedgwick Pantagraph described the graduation ceremony.

The ‘8 of ’98” Acquitted Themselves Nobly

The “large opera house was crowded to its fullest capacity” for commencement of the Sedgwick High Class of 1898.  The class motto was “No brick that fits the wall will be left by that way.” Each graduate presented a oration.

Graduate Sarah A. Hillis delivered  “Make Haste Slowly,” and noted that “slow, steady, careful  work” were the “stepping stones to success.”

Using “her voice and gestures,”  Edith A. Adams “produced a fine oratorical effect” as she presented  “Pictures in Words.”

Anna E. Musser spoke on “Literature” in which she “denounced the cheap books of the present day, written merely to sell.”

“Rifted Clouds” was the title of Mollie E. Elberson’s “splendid effort, breathing intense patriotism and thought” throughout the speech.

A “well-worded and nicely delivered eulogy” on the life of Frances E. Willard was delivered by Nellie Paugh.

Identified as Nellie Paugh

The oration of Muriel Finn “showed deep research and thought and the phraseology was perfect” as she explored “The X in Nature.”

A vacant chair was placed for Nellie F. Fousbee who could not attend due to illness, which was a “bitter disappointment to her as well as to her many friends.”

The final oration, “Harmony and Discord” by Annie Shattuck was “highly entertaining.”

The diplomas were presented by William Finn, President of the Board of Education. Rev. H. E. Thayer, Wichita gave a “wholesome and earnest class address” followed by a song and benediction to conclude the graduation exercises.

And, the “Giddy 8 of ’98” went out into the world.

Sources:

  • Sedgwick Pantagraph, 19 May 1898, 26 May 1898.

Kellas School: 145 Years and Counting

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by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

Today, the Kellas School on the HCHM campus is enjoyed by all ages.  From 3th graders learning about life in the past to older folks reminiscing, the small wood structure continues to serve Harvey County.

A Sunday School Class reminisces.

Beginnings . . .

Located 1 mile east and 1 mile south of Spencer Road, the one-room school, District 35, organized April 12, 1873.  The organizational meeting was held at the home of Henry Kellas across from the proposed school location. The first school board consisted of J.C. Brooks, director; H.A. Ensign, clerk; and Kellas, who served as district treasurer for 32 years.

By October 1873, a new building was ready for students.  The wood structure was 16 by 22 feet, and the cost, including the stove, pipe and desks, totaled $415.00.

In 1899, 56 students were enrolled at Kellas School, District 35.

Kellas School group, 1902.

Kellas School Group, pre-1905. Lottie Hart, teacher.

A New Kellas School & Move #1 for old Kellas.

In 1905, the Kellas school board decided to sell the wooden structure to make room for a  new brick school.

Kellas School, 1961.

New Kellas School built in 1905. These photos were taken in 2014.

The old building sold to Bethel Deaconess Hospital & Home, Newton, Ks for $57.50  and moved to the hospital campus on Pine Street.  While at Bethel Deaconess Hospital, the old school building was used as a space to  process chickens and storage.

Discovery . . . 

In 1980, the 5th grade class at Suncrest School taught by Helen Beckham studied one-room schools.  As a result of the research, Beckham discovered that the original wood frame structure of an early one-room school still existed.  Excited students and teacher began a campaign to preserve and restore the Kellas One-Room School. They gained the assistance of the Board and staff at the Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives. Bethel Deaconess Hospital agreed to give the building to the Museum. The City of Newton approved placing the structure on the Museum grounds.  The big move was scheduled for July 31, 1981.

Moving Day #2 

July 31, 1981

Bartel Moving Company, Hillsboro, Ks provided the moving services.

Pulling Away from Bethel Deaconess Hospital & Home

Down the Street

 

Easing Into A New Home.

The restoration of Kellas would not have been possible without the efforts of many volunteers including  Dwight & Helen Beckham.

New Uses of a Historic Structure

Helen Beckham teaching a class.

Over the years several teachers have utilized Kellas to take students “back in time” and experience school the way it was over 100 years ago in Harvey County.

The volunteers and staff at HCHM always look forward to hearing the sounds of children coming from the old structure.

In addition to school groups, Kellas is used by other groups for programs or meetings.

Over the years, upkeep has been on-going.  In April 1986, as a community service project, the Lucky 4-H Club painted the building.

Kansan, April 4, 1986.

Currently, the interior is in need of repainting. If you have an interest in this project, please contact HCHM Executive Director, Hannah Thompson for details.

Ceiling around stove pipe, 2017.

 

Kellas School, Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives, Newton, Ks, 2014.

Kellas, 2014.

If you have an interest in using Kellas School for a meeting or event,  call HCHM for details and rates.

Sources:

  • Kellas File, HCHM Scrapbook, Curator’s Office.
    • Smurr, Mike, HCHM Board Chair, “Proposal to Relocate and Restore the Kellas School on the Grounds of the Harvey County Historical Museum.” no date.
    • “City Commission Meeting Minutes” April 1, 1981.
  • Smurr, Linda C. Ed., Harvey County History. Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives, Newton, Ks, 1990.