The Story of the Miami Indian Villiage Schoolhouse
MIAMI VILLIAGE SCHOOLHOUSE
Miami Chief Meshingomesia understood the necessity of European education for the Miami people was imperative if they were to flourish in this new, ever changing land. He constructed a schoolhouse to educate his people on European language, knowledge, and life’s skills. The small, one room schoolhouse provided for the education of approximately 40 native children and 38 European children until it closed its doors in 1898. In 1930, after standing abandoned for over 30 years, a local farmer relocated the schoolhouse to his land to utilize it as a corn crib.
The Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana envisioned a program to renovate the only one-room native school remaining in Indiana. Through donations and grant monies, the Miami Indian Village Schoolhouse ceased its role as a farmer’s corn crib and stood as a historical and cultural structure.
In 1998, Miami Spiritual Leader Wapshing procured the assistance of JoAn Calvert-Weaver to undertake the task of regaining the building for the Miami people. The farmer’s family graciously returned the building’s title back to the Miami, who diligently assured the restoration of the schoolhouse back to its original state. The Miami people owned the land where the Meshingomesia Cemetery resides, yet the land to the east belonged to Bob and Dick Goodpasture. The gentlemen generously offered a 100 year lease of their land to assure the relocation of the schoolhouse would be close to its original surroundings. Meticulous steps were used to assure the renovation of the schoolhouse remained authentic. Experts gave opinions on the type of wood, shutters, nails, even furnishings that went into the school.
Larry Stuber formally commenced to the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana the ownership of their beloved school during a ceremony on
September 19, 1998, with over 80 people in attendance. What originated as a Miami Indian project soon revolutionized into a state-wide attraction. A “Friends of the Miami” fund-raising committee was formed which included Loren Winger, JoAn Calvert-Weaver, Steve Reiff, John Rouch, and Ron Totten. Donation cans were placed throughout the Wabash-Grant county areas. Committee members spoke at the Madison County Historical Society, Mississinewa Battlefield of 1812 Society, and the Community Foundations of both Grant County and Wabash County.
Avon Waters of the Marion Chronicle wrote several articles including updated photos of the school and where donations could be sent. Fisher Body Masonic Craft Club of Marion was the first to offer a donation for the restoration. Collections were taken at Delphi/Delco in Kokomo, Upper White River Archeological Society, Museums at Prophetstown, the Miami Indians of Indiana, both as a tribe and individual people, as well as donations from citizens from Miami, Wabash, Howard, and Grant counties. A Miami living in Texas sent donations collected from friends and neighbors.
Donations began pouring in from well-wishers; citizens of Indiana began calling to offer assistance in the actual restoration. Sherwin Williams from Marion donated the sealing for the exterior of the school. Amos Schwartz donated the pot-bellied stove. Terry Adamson from Alexandria offered to build school benches and desks designed after those from the middle to late 1800’s. Harry and Carolyn Knauff supplied the lumber and Mike Peconga furnished the stone from Rock Industries in Peru. JoAn Calvert-Weaver purchased a picture of George Washington and an old school bell for the school master’s desk. Menno Hilty Sr., and Menno Hilty Jr., were responsible for plastering the interior of the schoolhouse.
On April 18, 1999, a diverse gathering of people joined the Miami to celebrate in the dedication of the Miami Indian Village Schoolhouse. The ceremony was appropriately named “Returning of the Spirit”, for a piece of history had been reclaimed. The immediate neighbors of the Meshingomesia Cemetery watch over the school as if it were their own. They have developed a pride in the project and take measures to insure the security of the school. They report that it is a daily occurrence to see cars pulled over and sightseers admiring a small piece of history.
The Miami Indians of Indiana feel their own pride. What had once started out as a building used to enforce European language and culture on the Miami children is now being used to re-enforce their own language and culture. Miami language classes gather Miami’s from everywhere into the four walls where their ancestors once strived to learn English. The schoolhouse is also used to educate local schoolchildren on how a Miami family/child was raised in the late 1800’s.