Spring Place School Reunion

(Murray County, Georgia): Spring Place School, the oldest educational facility in northwest Georgia, will hold a reunion on August 30, 2009 at 1 o'clock at Spring Place Baptist Church, in Spring Place Community (near Chatsworth, Georgia). The event will honor two special teachers who spent much of their long careers at the “old” school — Mrs. Estelle Townsend and Mrs. Jean Ballew. All surviving teachers from the old school will be recognized. Former students, teachers, and staff are invited to gather at the Spring Place Baptist Church for a covered dish lunch and an afternoon of sharing memories. For many years an annual reunion was held to commemorate school days in Spring Place, but none has been held in recent years. It is hoped that this year's reunion will be the beginning of a new tradition.

Though the current elementary school building itself dates back only to 1969, Spring Place School has a history dating all the way back to the Moravian mission of 1801, when it was called Springplace (one word) Mission School. Read more about the history of Spring Place School. Through the years, students attended schools variously called Lucy Hill Institute, Lucy Hill High School, Lucy Hill Grammar School, and finally Spring Place (two words!) Elementary. Anyone who attended these facilities is invited to join the reunion crowd this year. On special display will be pictures, paintings, and memorabilia from the various schools at Spring Place. Former students have been asked to share stories and their memories of Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Ballew in tribute to these fine educators.

Event: Spring Place School Reunion
Time/Date: August 30, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Spring Place Baptist Church
Address: 441 Hwy. 225 S, Chatsworth, Georgia

Map

Those who are coordinating plans for the reunion are Martha Sue Wilbanks Ridley (706-695-3002), Bernice Burger Elrod (706-695-3039), Ann Green Bailey (706-695-6264), Kinma Bond (706-695-2411), and Tim Howard (706-695-2740). The reunion is sponsored by the Spring Place Historic Township and the Spring Place Ruritan Club.

History of Spring Place School