HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The first-ever Ottawa County Schoolhouse Tour is set for 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 2019. The free tour features six of Ottawa County’s historic one- and two-room schoolhouses, built between 1867 to 1881.
- New Groningen Schoolhouse, 10587 Paw Paw Drive, Zeeland, built in 1881.
- Ottawa School, 11611 Stanton St., West Olive, built in 1867
- Olive Center School, 11768 Polk St., Holland, (Olive Township History Society’s home).
- Pigeon Creek School, 16788 Pierce St., West Olive, built in 1878.
- DeWitt School, 17710 West Taft St., Spring Lake, built in 1891.
- South Evergreen School, 8780 Leonard Rd., Coopersville, built in 1867.
Each school has a unique perspective on school days gone by. Some are fully restored, others’ restoration are still in progress.
Tour organizers and promoted include members of the Olive Township Historical Board, which is comprised by President Kit Karsten; Vice-President Sandy Karsten; Secretary-Treasurer Beverly Jaarsma; Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Jim Poppema and trustees Kathryn Headley, Sandra Poppema, Wayne Vander Zwaag.
Sandy Karsten told WHTC the tour is close to her heart, because she attended the one-room Olive Center School with four other students, and wants younger generations to understand how early schools worked. She recalled listening to older childrens’ lessons as she worked on her own.
“It’s a step back in time,” she said. “You can picture what’s happened there — children on teeter-totters and merry-go-rounds and swings and playing outside, then going back inside for the education.”
Listen to the entire interview online.
Olive Township’s historical board is always looking for volunteers. learn more at the group’s website, olivetownship.com/oths.
