Celebrating Centennial Of Madison School
Editor, News-Register:
One hundred years old! That’s right. Madison School (the White Building) will be celebrating its centennial the first week of October.
Have you seen the large white pillars as you drive westbound on Route 40 or on I-70? Have you ever walked the historic halls of Madison School on Wheeling Island? It is something to behold! During the week of Oct. 2, we invite you to join us for some of our many planned activities and step inside to see what has happened during the past 100 years.
The cornerstone was dedicated on June 25, 1916, complete with a “monster parade.” The children present during this celebration carried American flags and sang patriotic songs. They listened as representatives from various lodges and churches declared the importance of the day to the future. “Along with uniformed Knights of Pythias, citizens, and four brass bands paraded from the heart of the city to Wheeling Island and the new Madison School.” The Knights of Pythias were actively involved in the dedication and provided automobiles for members of the Board of Education. This cornerstone will be removed to gain access to the time capsule placed there in 1916. Artifacts will be on display.
Over the years Madison School has been named a West Virginia School of Excellence, a West Virginia Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and a West Virginia Title I Distinguished School. There have been numerous staff members who have been recognized as Ohio County Language Arts Teacher of the Year, Ohio County Teachers of the Year, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce Teachers of the Year, Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year, W.Va. Highways Safety Leaders Award, and most recently, West Virginia School Counselor of the Year.
Let’s come together as a community at large for this centennial celebration and demonstrate what was described in the Wheeling Register in 1916: “It was probably the largest fraternal demonstration that Wheeling has ever witnessed.”
Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this historic celebration? Please join us to celebrate the past, present and future of Madison School!
Cheryl Simon, Centennial Committee
Wheeling
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