The Sage School Committee will hold a brief re-organizational meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at Crestwood Elementary School, 6350 Courtland Dr., Rockford. The purpose of this meeting is to restart and reorganize the campaign regarding the Sage School restoration. All are invited to attend. Needed are a variety of volunteers for publicity, grounds, construction, fundraising, and more. No special talent is required, just a desire to be part of history. Please RSVP to sageschool@rockfordschools.org.
Not familiar with the Sage School? The Sage School is a 1870s-era one-room schoolhouse now located on the grounds of Crestwood Elementary School in Rockford. In 2001, Crestwood teacher Judy Grifhorst purchased the schoolhouse—which was then located at the corner of Belding Road and Courtland Drive—for $1 and donated the building to Rockford Public Schools. After an extensive private fundraising campaign, the building was moved to its current location on August 17, 2001. In the following years, the exterior was secured and restored. The interior has been gutted, and awaits restoration.
The mission of the restoration group is to preserve a piece of Michigan history by restoring the 1870s Sage School to its original condition. Upon preservation, the schoolhouse will be used as an educational site to teach Rockford students and the community at large about life in the past and rural education.
Although owned by Rockford Public Schools, all work on the schoolhouse has been completed using private donations, grants and a variety of fundraising programs. More information can be found at the Sage School’s website at www.sageschoolrockford.org.
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