On Friday, September 7, 2007 Traverse City Area Public Schools and the local chapter of Daughters of the Revolution (DAR) will hold a rededication ceremony in honor of Traverse City’s first school teacher at 2:00 p.m. at Central Grade School, 301 West Seventh Street.

Helen Goodale Hitchcock was Traverse City’s first school teacher, starting with just twelve students in 1853.  The Job Winslow Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, originally dedicated a granite boulder and plaque in memory of Helen in 1938 at the then Central High School (Central Grade School). Lars Hockstad, Superintendent of Schools, officially accepted the plaque on behalf of the Board of Education.

About two years ago, during the winter months, the plaque had been knocked loose from its granite mount by a snowplow and damaged, but wasn’t found until months later when the snow finally melted. The plaque eventually turned up at TCAPS’ Maintenance Department, but they did not know where it had come from. Phillip Haldaman, TCAPS’ Director of Building and Grounds, began to trace the plaque’s origin and was able to locate the original Daughters of the Revolution chapter that had dedicated it so long ago. The plaque has been repaired and is ready for remounting.

The rededication ceremony will take place outside Central Grade School on the northeast corner of Seventh and Pine Streets. Bill Wilson, a Traverse City local and the great, great, great grandson of Helen Goodale Hitchcock, will be in attendance.

Please contact Alice Casto, DAR Chapter representative, at 922-9455 or Phillip Haldaman, TCAPS’ Director of Building and Grounds at 933-1724 for further information.