Oswego High School Alumni from 1930-1960 Invited to 'Old School Reunion'

Oswego High School Homecoming Court members (L-R) Lyle Johnson, Jean Bower, Judy Weis, and Jerry Secor ride down South Main Street during the 1956 homecoming parade. Credit: Submitted photo.

Did you attend a one-room or town school in the Oswego School District from the 1930s through the 1960s? If so, you’re invited to “My Old School Reunion,” set for Saturday, Sept. 27, at the historic Little White School Museum, 72 Polk St. (Polk at Jackson), just two blocks from historic downtown Oswego.

The Oswegoland Heritage Association will host the gathering from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to give grade and high school alumni an opportunity to tour the historic building and to recall as many memories of their school days and the Oswego School District as possible.

Featured during the day will be memorabilia from the museum’s archives and collections including yearbooks, artifacts, and photos; a repeating slide show running all day featuring the Oswego School District during the 1956-1957 school year; walking tours of historic Oswego at 11:30 and 1 p.m. (how good is your memory and knowledge of old Oswego?); the chance to participate in an oral survey to tell stories of your Oswego school days and have your words preserved in the museum’s collections to help the heritage association build a record of Little White School alumni; a Donation Station for those interested in donating Oswego School District mementoes and memorabilia to the museum’s collections, assuring their preservation for future generations; a 1,000 Words Photo Booth where photos of your school days can be brought (donations of original photos are preferred but the museum will scan and return photos while you wait if you want to keep the originals); a special souvenir button for anyone who attended a one-room or town school any time from the 1930s through the 1960s; raffles; and, thanks to Little White School alum Bob Cutter, treats to eat.

The Little White School Museum was built in 1850 as a Methodist-Episcopal Church. The congregation dissolved in 1913 and two years later, the Oswego School District purchased the building. Until 1960, the building housed primary grade classes. That year, due to school district overcrowding, the building began its final career as junior high classroom space. The building was closed at the end of the 1963-64 school year, and was used as school district storage space.

In 1976, the Oswegoland Heritage Association was established to spearhead the building’s restoration in close cooperation with the Oswegoland Park District, a project that began in 1977 and continued until it was completed—with extensive community volunteer involvement—in 2001. Today the building houses a community museum and archives, with a large collection of Oswego School District archival materials and artifacts, along with community meeting space.

For more information on the “My Old School Reunion,” or on the Little White School Museum, call 630-554-2999, email info@littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org or visit the museum’s website at www.littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org.