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At a meeting
of the Cross County Historical Society on Tuesday, May 22, the membership
voted to accept from Charlene and Leo Smith a generous gift of the New Hope
School building and one acre of land on Highway 284 east of Wynne.
Beginning as a one-room school and later gaining an additional room, it is
one of the few remaining schools of its kind left in Arkansas.
A committee was formed to
begin the legal work and the restoration of the building.
On Wednesday May 23, Brian
Driscoll, Technical Assistance Coordinator with Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program, joined a group of interested persons to inspect and
assess the structure. The group has determined that the school was
constructed as a one-room school with two front doors on the west elevation,
three windows on each side, a high-gabled shake-roof building without
electricity. The recorded deed showed the land to have been originally
purchased by School District 25 on August 24, 1903. However, the deed was
not recorded until April of 1904.
Investigation of the
building shows that at some time a room was added to the north side of the
building making it a two-room school. Verification of this addition has
been noted by both Driscoll and Danny Ball, builder and foreman of the
restoration plans; however, there have been no documents located telling
when the north room was added.
An additional gift to the
Historical Society’s restoration project was the surveying of the New Hope
Property by Brad McDaniel. The deed to the land contributed by the Smiths
was signed and recorded on July 16.
Much enthusiasm has been
generated by former students, teachers, and others who are eager to see this
building restored. Pledges totaling $2,075 have been made. In order for
the project to receive a designated grant from the state, at least $5,000
will need to be raised. Bridget Hart is chairman of the committee. Carol
McCrary will serve as vice-chair; Donna Horton as treasurer; Cathy Hagler
and Barbara Burkhart, former students of the New Hope School, will serve as
co-secretaries. Other members of the committee are Leigh Anne Chambers,
Florence Halstead, Teresa McCrary and Tommy McCrary.
Anyone interested in
providing help, joining the Historical Society New Hope Project Committee or
donating toward restoration is encouraged to call Carol McCrary at
870-238-3684 or Bridget Hart at 870-238-8631. The committee especially
invites former students, teachers at the school, and sons and daughters of
those who taught or attended to join in the restoration. Old pictures of
the building are needed as are lists of students and teachers, and any
stories connected with the school. |