Help transform fire-damaged school that pioneered Black education in MI

Michigan’s historic Ferry Street School, where Sojourner Truth once spoke, will become a memorial park through a crowdfunding campaign.

A historic Michigan schoolhouse that once hosted civil rights icon Sojourner Truth will be transformed into a memorial park, thanks to an innovative crowdfunding initiative. The Ferry Street School in Niles, which served as a pioneering educational institution for Black children in the 1800s, was severely damaged by fire in 2023, but its remaining façade will be preserved as part of a new community space.

Historic preservation meets modern community space

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has partnered with the Niles History Center and the City of Niles to launch a crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising $15,000 by April 25. Through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program, the funds will be matched if the goal is reached, supporting the creation of the Ferry Street School Memorial Park.

“Losing the Ferry Street School to a fire was devastating; building this park with the remaining façade will allow us to remember and honor this special place,” said Christina Arseneau, Niles History Center Director.

A legacy of education and civil rights

Built in 1867 following a successful petition by Niles’ Black citizens, the one-room brick schoolhouse represented a significant victory for educational equality. The school initially served Black children exclusively before becoming integrated and welcoming all neighborhood children. Its historical significance extends beyond education – in 1873, renowned activist Sojourner Truth delivered a speech at the facility.

The new memorial park design incorporates barrier-free access and will preserve the school’s north façade, which survived the 2023 fire. The space aims to continue the building’s legacy as a community gathering place while honoring its historical importance.

Community investment through crowdfunding

MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz emphasized the project’s significance: “This project will give life to the site of the historic Ferry Street School and act as historic preservation through placemaking.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative, launched in 2014, has demonstrated remarkable success with a 97% project completion rate. To date, the program has provided over $13.6 million in matching grants across Michigan, supporting 400 successful projects with contributions from more than 73,921 individual donors totaling $15.5 million.

Those interested in contributing to the Ferry Street School Memorial Park project can visit patronicity.com/schoolpark.

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This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The ‘Gander staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.