Wheatley On National Historic Register, To Become Museum
HISTORIC DAY ~ Blanche Wolpers (right), chairman of the Poplar Bluff Historical Commission, speaks to a gathered crowd while Maxine Lampkin looks on after a plaque was unveiled during a ceremony recently at Wheatley School in Poplar Bluff. The school building, which has been used most recently as the Early Childhood School, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Staff photo by Paul Davis)By TERESA OYLER ~ DAR Associate Editor
An anxious moment has turned into a blessing for Wheatley School graduates.
When Poplar Bluff R-1 school administrators started talking about moving Early Childhood classes out of the building which once housed Wheatley, graduates and the neighborhood became concerned about the future of the building but their concerns were quelled when a plan was made to turn the building into a Black History museum, with an emphasis on the school's history.
"The older members among us just thought it was a blessing," said Edith (Maxine) Lampkin, who was in the last Wheatley graduating high school class in 1957.
She presented a plaque earlier this month at the Wheatley School dedication ceremony recognizing the acceptance of the building to the National Historic Register.
"It means a lot," said Lampkin. She said it may not have the connection for younger generations but "we hope to instill it in their minds."
She and her 26 classmates made up the last class before integration in Poplar Bluff. It was an end and a beginning.
"We were taught well how to face things in the world, changes in the world," said Lampkin. She said they had a solid foundation in subject areas, discipline and social skills but the change was welcome.
"At the same time, it was a move to be able to learn more. The integration was a step forward to learn more."
She said the move gave students even more opportunities than they already had.
Wheatley was always something special, said Lampkin.
"It was more like a brother-sister atmosphere among the children and teachers," she said.
"We were close to our teachers and each other," said Lampkin.
The family setting carried over between the teachers and the parents.
"If you did anything wrong at school, your parents were notified. You'd be punished at school then you'd be punished at home."
The academic standards were high.
Lampkin said, "You had to pass. They just instilled it in you."
All the students did so well there had to be a contest for valedictorian.
Extracurricular activities were always a treat.
"I used to cry if I couldn't go to a ballgame," said Lampkin. She said the students got really excited about school activities.
"There was nothing like going to school," said Lampkin. "That's where we got it all."
Lampkin is the secretary of the Poplar Bluff chapter of the SEMO Social & Civic Club. She said the group has been working on the historic registration and is making plans for the museum. She said they want to respect the educational history of the building.
"We don't want to get away from education. Even the programs to be presented later will be educational," said Lampkin.
She said there will be a lot of work to do. They've already started collecting items to be displayed and they can use anyone who would like to help work on the project. The Early Childhood program should move out of the building sometime this school year.
The building will be restored as close to original as possible. Lampkin said she would like to see a a picture of Phyllis Wheatley, the Black American poet the building was named after to be displayed at the entrance of the museum. Then she said she thinks it would be nice to display pictures of all the principals but specifics haven't been discussed.
Lampkin said Wheatley is probably the first thing many people think of when Homecoming is mentioned. They have a strong tie to the school. Both of her parents attended the school and her children attended there for the elementary grades.
Lampkin said she would like to thank the people who have already been involved with the Wheatley project, particularly Blanche Wolpers, who helped with the placement on the National Historic Register.
Now, she would encourage anyone who would like to donate time or money. They should write Joey Holeman, William Turner or Edith Lampkin at P.O. Box 571, Poplar Bluff, MO. 63902.
7-11-01 - Republished here with permission of the Daily American Republic.
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