The Festus R-6 School District will hold a variety of activities this winter to honor the former Douglass Cooperative High School, which enrolled black students during segregation.
As part of the recognition, Festus school officials would like to hear from those who worked for or attended the old school.
They also would like to borrow artifacts from the school, which closed in the 1950s.
Shropshire Park on Fourth Street in Festus is on the site where the old Douglass school stood.
“We are in the process of trying to collect artifacts from the (Douglass) school that we could borrow and put on display,” said Kevin Pope, the district’s communications and special projects coordinator. “We are also trying to find as many Douglass alumni as possible. We are trying to find former teachers and/or administrators.”
At the Festus home varsity basketball game on Jan. 21, the Tigers will take on the Crystal City High School Hornets, and both teams will wear Douglass High Trojans replica uniforms.
The varsity game will begin at approximately 7 p.m., following the junior varsity game.
“This is an important event for our students,” Pope said. “The history and tradition of Douglass High School is important to the history of Festus. We want to recognize all Douglass alumni that night to help our students understand the important role Douglass High School has in our district and to help ensure it is never forgotten.”
Pope said the week of Jan. 20 will be dedicated to educating Festus High students about the old Douglass High.
“(The game) is part of a broader effort during that week to educate our students and the general public about the history of Douglass High School in Festus,” he said.
Pope said the types of Douglass High artifacts the R-6 district wants to borrow include trophies, yearbooks, medals, old uniforms and other memorabilia.
“Anything that could be borrowed and placed in a display for our students to see that week and for the public to see the night of the game,” Pope added.
Any Douglass school alumni or staff or those with artifacts from the school are asked to contact Pope at 636-638-2004 or popekevin@festusedu.com.