Published: June 03, 2009 03:59 pm      

Restoring school — 06/04/09

Community members working to create new life for Hitchins

For more than half a century, Hitchins School was the center of social life in the small Carter County community. A group of dedicated volunteers now are working to again make the old school the center of activity in Hitchins.

They need not look far for inspiration. Residents of Grahn have turned the closed Grahn School into a center that is home to a number of community activities, and in Olive Hill, the old high school located high on a hill overlooking the town has been turned into a center that hosts everything from plays to concerts to class and family reunions.

The restoration of the Hitchins School got a major boost last September when Edward Isaacs purchased the old school building and donated it to the Hitchins Preservation Society. Since then, volunteers have logged hundreds of hours clearing the old school of tons of debris, replacing broken windows and replacing gutters that were so heavily damaged that they were actually directing rainwater into the building instead of keeping it out.

There remains much work to do, but musicians have already performed bluegrass and rock concerts in the Isaacs Performing Arts Center in the building, and the Wizards of Dance rehearse in the building. A large room is being turned into a home for the E.K. Railroad Museum, and ENOUGH is planning to offer drug education programs in the school. ROTC students from East Carter High School hope to practice for air rifle competitions in a renovated upstairs classroom.

While the number of activities already taking place in the building is impressive, the potential exists for far more. For example, the old gymnasium, the old school’s centerpiece, has not been renovated. Once that is completed, the old school can be the center of community recreation.

Of course, all this takes money, and the Hitchins Preservation Society hopes to secure some grants. Both the Grahn and Olive Hill school restoration projects were helped immensely by grants they received. Meanwhile, fund raising continues nonstop.

But there is something the preservation society needs nearly as much money, said member Mike Johnston: Volunteers.

“We just need more manpower,” Isaacs added. In an effort to recruit more help from the community, the society has called a meeting for 7 p.m. Monday at the school.

While volunteers are needed to do a wide variety of tasks in the old school, there is another advantage to their efforts. Working together for a common cause sparks community pride and helps create the type of relationships that will make Hitchins an even stronger community.

We commend Isaacs for purchasing the old school and all those who have donated their time and talents toward making the old Hitchins School a vital part of the community.