August 30, 2008

Dear Friends:

You should know some important things about the Old Historic Olive Hill High School building and its potential impact on the lives of many of our people in the future.  There is a lot going on there!

You may know that the old building fell into a major state of disrepair in the 1990’s.  Abandoned as the county opened new facilities for their students of the west end, town residents witnessed an almost immediate deterioration of the proud old building.  The end seemed near when the roof collapsed on the wood gym floor - the scene of so many great victories for the beloved Comets.  Ultimately, the old school was sold for the embarrassingly low price of $10,000 to our organization, and restoration process soon began.  With participation from state agencies, gifts, and the sale of many pancakes, the old gymnasium has now become a community center for Olive Hill.

On December 13, 2007, our community filled its new town center for a seasonal celebration.  “Christmas on the Hill” was the first public use of this wonderful old structure in more than a decade.  It was a night of entertainment and an opportunity to showcase our local talent in conjunction with the choral  excellence of Kentucky Christian University.  It was exciting and rewarding as we added to the success when the local churches joined together to use our newest and largest community space to celebrate the joy of Christmas.

Again, on May 17, “Tom T. Hall’s Homecoming on the Hill” filled the historic gymnasium with a celebration of the legacy that this building has left through the talented people who went on to share their gifts with the world.  The community expressed amazement in the quality of programs that have been made possible through the efforts of OHHS’s community center, soon to be known as a center for the arts and education.

But this is only the beginning.  Our plans call for renovation of the old classrooms and the once stately library, which looked out over our town for nearly 70 years.  The spaces are planned to be used for community education, art and music education, technology training and educational classes to support the future economic and sociological growth of our area.  Our strategic plan calls for all of these options to become available to our residents by 2010.  Our motto is:  “We will be in by 2010; but 2009 would be just fine.”

As of now, we have seen nearly $800,000 invested to achieve what many believed was simply just not possible.  We have also seen major human investment in time and effort over the ten years that it has taken to reach this important milestone.  Yet their is still much to do so that the completed building can once again become the center for education, culture, and the center for our local history and our heritage.

We need help in our efforts.  We are asking you to consider investing in the future of the community by helping us restore a major component of its past.  Our belief is that restoration of the former classrooms can become tools for improving the quality of life for our residents.  We know that recreation of the former library into a modern conference center and media center will provide a centerpiece for our town.  We also know that cost will be as much or more than we have spent to date.  The cost will also include the addition of an elevator so that every one of our residents can use every part of their building.

We anticipate that the completion of our effort will require financial support of participating business owners and local and state government agencies.  But a success like this must always depend upon the participation of individuals.

We need the help and financial support from any and all individuals who see what this endeavor can do for a community.  You may or may not have been a former student, teacher, staff, visitor, or one of many others who had a connection to the building.  Many have been changed by the history and the presence of the Olive Hill School.

Please help us by sending a gift to the future of our town.  Mail your donation to “OHHS” at the address on the first page of this letter.  (Click Here)

Thank you so much for your help.

Madeline Powell, President

Olive Hill Historical Society