McClain School to celebrate centennial

GREENFIELD — One hundred years ago, industrialist Edward Lee McClain and his wife, Lulu, gave the rural community of Greenfield a one-of-a-kind gift.

Now, the Edward Lee McClain High School is a historical landmark in the state of Ohio, and some would even liken it to a museum. Former teacher and alumnus Larry Chapman said the building holds a special place in his heart and in the heart of the community.

“We were taught early on that our school was extraordinarily unique and different. ... There was just nothing like it in the U.S.,” Chapman said. “I spent my life teaching in a museum.”

“It shows the type of community we have here and the feeling of pride that the past graduates have from McClain and the community members ... to celebrate this event,” said Joe Wills, Greenfield Exempted Village Schools superintendent.

Chapman said a committee started meeting more than two years ago to plan the centennial celebration.

One of the events set for the historic weekend is the unveiling of the contents inside the school’s time capsule, which has been embedded in the building’s cornerstone since it was laid in 1914. An outside company will be called in to remove the capsule from the cornerstone “sometime this week,” said Wills, who is hoping to reveal the contents Saturday.

In addition, there will be a 5K run and walk, tours of the high school building, a historical car show, and a sold-out centennial tea taking place throughout the three-day celebration.

A rededication ceremony and ice cream social will take place Sunday afternoon.

The excitement of the upcoming events can be sensed throughout the building in students and in staff.

“There’s definitely a sense of excitement ... a sense of pride the staff has to be able to work in the district and be able to understand how important the high school is to anyone who attended or worked there,” Wills said.

A full list of events for the Centennial Ceremony can be found at the official centennial website, mcclain100.wordpress.com, as well as the McClain High School website, www.greenfield.k12.oh.us.