Kids from Webber Elementary chanted as they stood under cloudy skies Wednesday.
‘Go Howard, go,? some shouted as the historic schoolhouse rolled by on the back of a truck.
One young lady took it upon herself to set them straight.
‘You guys, it’s Howarth,? she said. ‘Not Howard.?
Either way, the students were an enthusiastic part of history in the making as the Howarth schoolhouse moved slowly to its new home in Friendship Park.
Orion Township Treasurer Alice Young shared comments about the experience at Tuesday’s board meeting.
‘It all started with the Orion Historical Society,? she said, noting member Leslie Pielack was instrumental in getting the schoolhouse moved, as was Larry Mullins.
Young also credited Township Supervisor Matt Gibb, along with members of his family.
‘Matt was a trustee when he and his mother and two of her friends put on a math-a-thon,? Young said. ‘He donned a period costume and went to the various schools. We gained a lot of press from that, a lot of attention and a lot of money.?
As she watched the building roll down Giddings Road last week, Young noted, she got ‘a little emotional.?
‘But not just because the school was being moved,? she said. ‘As I watched everyone that day …it really touched me that hundreds of people spent time to save one little piece of history for our kids and grandkids to come.?
It was a sentiment Gibb felt, as well, noting he learned from his grandmother, Phyllis Hamilton, who passed away recently.
‘After she saved the Octagon House, people expected her to talk about how difficult it was,? Gibb said. ‘But she talked about the joy in her heart. She said it wasn’t the building that was importaant — it was important to save the history for the children.