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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.
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