Moorhead Schools history wall nearing completion
September 28, 2018
The lobby of Horizon Middle School’s Performing Arts Center will soon be home to a 50-foot long historical timeline of Moorhead Area Public Schools. The project is a joint venture between the district and the Moorhead Schools Legacy Foundation with funding generously provided by Hornbacher’s.
Jesse Liedberg of Indigo Sign Company is manufacturing the display and explains the materials.
“The 12 display panels are made from abrasion resistant clear acrylic,” he said. “This is a light-weight alternative to glass that provides exceptional abrasion resistance. Aluminum piping provides the framework for the entire display.”
In addition to the panels, several historical items will be displayed in one or two display cases. Many community members have donated or loaned pieces. They include vintage sports jerseys, a phonograph record made by the Apollo Strings, a 1960s marching band uniform that was found at a local thrift store, a cup and saucer featuring the old Moorhead High building from 1889, a trophy given in the 1920s for “excellent achievement” in the Moorhead High garden club, a custom fiberglass goalie mask used during the early days of Spud hockey, programs from early theater productions, the gavel used by the school’s FFA chapter in the 1960s, a letter sweater from the 1940s, homecoming buttons, and much more.
One unique piece is a vintage basketball bag from the late 1920s. It was used by the Spud basketball team that won back-to-back state championships in 1928 and 1929. The bag lists the score of every game and includes a roster of the players.
If you have Spud memorabilia to loan or donate, contact Brian Cole at bcole@moorheadschools.org.
Jim Cole from Zerr Berg Architects has designed several components for the display.
“Too many times the exquisite articles, art, photographs and artifacts, like what has been collected by the Moorhead Schools, do not find their way to the public view,” Jim Cole said. “Being involved and helping to create the presentation of our history for the community and students to enjoy and learn from is a rare opportunity. It is exciting to know that our involvement will impact so many people for years to come.”
Started in 1873, Moorhead Area Public Schools has a rich tradition of excellence in the arts, athletics, academics, and activities. Pam Gibb, communications coordinator for Moorhead Area Public Schools, has been instrumental in proofreading and providing information that will be included in the display.
“It has been a goal of mine for many years to have something like this historical timeline done for our district,” Gibb said. “Our students, staff and community members will enjoy looking at all the pictures.”
The inspiration for the project stems from the 2003 School Naming Task Force, which proposed that previous schools be honored in a display. The idea re-emerged with the creation of the 2016 School Naming Task Force by then-superintendent Dr. Lynne Kovash. The task force was charged with naming the new buildings being constructed as part of the 2015 bond referendum.
Mark Piehl, Clay County archivist, assisted members of the task force who were looking for worthy candidates to have a building named after them. Dorothy Dodds, a 1942 Moorhead High School graduate and longtime kindergarten teacher, was selected to have a school named for her.
Piehl said that during research on one topic “you often begin finding more information on another topic that leads to another and then another. The public school in Moorhead has been around longer than any other business in town. There is so much history along with great people and stories.”
The process of assembling what would be included in the timeline began last winter. Every issue of the Moorhead High student newspaper “The Spud” going back to 1932 was examined as well as the “Cho Kio,” the Moorhead High yearbook, which has been published nearly every year since 1914. Besides the Clay County Archives, a wealth of information was provided by the Northwest Minnesota Historical Center and the Minnesota History Center. More than 500 news items were included in a spreadsheet to help sort the information. Numerous community and staff members helped in editing content and confirming inclusion of schools, activities, staff, and events.
The first three decades of the school district’s history are included in a single panel, but beginning in 1910 each decade will have its own panel.
More than 45 pictures were scanned by Rick Westra to be featured in the display. The rarest was a 1924 panoramic photo taken on the south side of the newly opened high school (now Townsite Centre). Along with photos of various athletic teams and music groups are pictures honoring community members who have served the school district, including the “voices of the Spuds” Larry Knutson and Manny Marget.
Information for the formal dedication of the history wall will be announced later this year.
This is the first in a series of articles on the history of Moorhead Area Public Schools by Brian Cole. For suggestions or comments, please contact him at bcole@moorheadschools.org.
Photo: The first panel of the Moorhead Area Public Schools history timeline has been installed in the lobby of Horizon Middle School’s Performing Arts Center. Remaining panels will be finalized and installed this school year.
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