“Almost every society that has developed over the past 4,000 years has made an attempt to preserve its history in some form or another. In times past the Jewish scribes would religiously copy manuscripts letter for letter. The Egyptians constructed large architectural structures in hopes that they would endure. The Irish maintained schools of Bards that would memorize their history.
“The attempts of these people to preserve and pass down their history, knowledge, and culture to generations of people who had yet to be born was an attempt to preserve and tell an intentional message. It was an attempt to pass on the wisdom and experience of the generations that had gone before them. This one facet makes the study of history a valuable use of your time.”
(Matthew McCarty. “Why Your Heritage is Important.” McCarty Heritage.)
Valley Local Schools in Lucasville, Ohio have a tremendous heritage. In fact, 2022 marks the 134th graduating class from the high school. The history of Valley education goes back even further to many area one-room and one-building structures in and about the Lucasville area. The heritage of educational excellence is well-documented, and it continues to define the direction of the district. Much of this heritage may be accessed through a local organization, the Lucasville Area Historical Society. Still, much more could be revealed to residents who might benefit from the knowledge.
Importance of Heritage
Heritage is important in shaping identity. As heritage becomes a part of what we are, the expression of the identity shows others what we value and prioritize. It represents a building block for future endeavors and a source of pride for the community.
Heritage can consist of the following:
The Tangible – our historical sites, buildings, monuments, objects in museums, artefacts and archives.
The Natural – our waterways, landscapes, woodlands, bogs, uplands, native wildlife, insects, plants, trees, birds and animals.
The Intangible – our customs, sports, music, dance, folklore, crafts, skills, and traditions.
Our tangible, intangible, and natural heritage with all the associated myths, legends, traditions, and memories provide us with a common language and insight that enables us to communicate on a deep level with each other and to express ourselves in a unique way to the outside world.
A local heritage involves so much more than just preserving and protecting artifacts of the past. It also encourages a local community to take responsibility for and to participate in the development and conservation of their birthright.
Projects to enhance local heritage have the potential to re-energize neglected areas and provide opportunities for local people to review, reengage with, and re-interpret their legacy and tradition. In doing so, it is a driving force not only for preservation but also for change.
Seeds
“Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.”
– Lin-Manuel Miranda, playwright
Lin-Manuel Miranda's quote employs the metaphor of “planting a seed in a garden” to emphasize the importance of preserving and nurturing a legacy. A seed of tradition sown and properly tended by a school may produce beautiful, new plants that add to the gift of its legacy. Though it may take a considerable time to germinate and grow, each new seed has the potential to carry important traits of its conception to rich and beautiful fruition.
The legacy of Valley Schools is alive in colors, mascots, and customs that enrich students and provide them with tangible and intangible links to those who came before them. Some of that legacy has become so ingrained that these students have little idea of their origins. Still, maintaining a heritage begs for a greater understanding of the past. This is important in that children are often oblivious to the massive imprint left by past generations without the help and guidance of generations of much-older graduates.
In addition, some people want to concentrate exclusively on the present and the future, preferring to leave the past “in the dust.” They exalt over new improvements in the school – structures, programs, current accolades of students – without considering a certain debt owed to what and who came before. Often, at most, these progressive-thinking folks see the past in terms of memories of dated, old-fangled remnants of days gone by. In that case, any legacy is totally dead and without essential former connections.
Yet, those same people who choose to underplay the value of heritage often expect others to dutifully preserve a semblance of that same cultural development of the school as some isolated, accessible yet disconnected and archaic, reminder of old roots. I find that hypocritical because in their neglect of knowledge and information, these indifferent individuals serve to help erase the human-aspect of their own environment. I think it is important to know what we “were,” what we “are,” and how both of these affect what we “become.”
“I like to be buttoned onto tradition. The thing is to improve it, twist it and mold it; to make something new of it; not to deny it. The riches of history can be plucked at any point.”
– Philip Cortelyou Johnson (1906 – 2005) American architect best known for his works of modern and postmodern architecture
I am a firm believer that heritage must “live,” not “die,” and I'm not talking just about mascots and school colors. The rich and detailed history of Valley Schools must not be lost to the students who presently matriculate there, nor should it be reduced to a couple of cold, lifeless artifacts in a trophy case or to distant, often inaccurate memories generated in gyms and stadiums on campus.
The people who scoff at the importance of maintaining an exceptional heritage find tradition suffices in symbols alone. How I disagree. The people who attended Valley Schools did and continue to do amazing things. They hold every imaginable profession but they also write, create, travel, and inspire. So many of them hold a love for Valley – I see it expressed every year at the Alumni Banquet in their stories, remembrances, and genuine affection for Valley Schools.
I believe the schools do a decent job of honoring some of its tradition, yet I also know much of the fabric of that vital heritage is being rendered invisible by time. It is my hope that Valley connects with area groups like the Historical Society, Growing Lucasville Opportunities, the Lucasville Over 50 Club, and the Lucasville Garden Club to revitalize interest and help foster a heritage that can be a focal point of the school. With a beautiful Bicentennial still in recent memory and energetic groups of community members and local business owners so engaged, now is the time to flesh out the “rest of the story” and foster an even stronger tradition of excellence.
I know that Linda Scott, author and member of the Lucasville Area Historical Society, has been busier than a moth in a sweater closet writing a comprehensive history of Valley and Lucasville schools. A gifted writer and researcher, Linda must be commended for spearheading and authoring the huge task. I hope all community members assist her in her efforts. What she is doing comes from her heart, mind, and soul. Believe me, what she is putting together will astound you. What would we do without Linda, a selfless individual who cares so much about her hometown, and the other members of the Historical Society like Pat and John Smith, who meet regularly and run the operations at the Heritage House?
I must also mention that the incredible work of GLO – Growing Lucasville Opportunities – is without precedent. The park project, the banner project, the Lucasville Christmas tree, the canoe livery and, most importantly, the desire to give back in continuous support of “All Things Lucasville” is so important. Members like Adam Riehl, Kenny Boldman, and Matt Keeney (to name a few) are constantly giving maximum effort to improvements in the area.
Look, I don't want to downplay efforts of the school, but I want Valley Schools to better embrace a gift bequeathed by thousands and thousands who love their community. It is this school, at the center of community life, that lifts a beacon of youthful exuberance to the future. Yet, much of the heritage that exists needs to be nurtured to survive and flourish. From students like Branch Rickey to Gene Tenace to Rex Diamond, and from structures like the impressive two-story school of the 1890s to Glendale, a much-beloved icon of the past, the history is there and ready to be distributed.
(Oh, you haven't heard of Rex Diamond? Too bad. I bet you've used his products like canned whipped cream though. Here is the story – if you wish to dive in, click here: https://allthingswildlyconsidered.blogspot.com/2018/05/rex-diamond-of-lucasville-ohio-whipped.html.)
How can we make the heritage of Valley more accessible? What do the schools need to add to the present plants to improve heritage access and knowledge? Do residents even believe we should? Or, are they, in general, like some I have heard who claim “it doesn't matter”? I look at the present population of the high school – reported as 258 pupils – and I think about the opportunity to provide these students with information that may feed their drive and increase their pride of community, and I think – as one who graduated from Valley in 1969 and who taught there for decades after – I wish I would have been more aware.
Heritage is the history, unique knowledge, values, and traditions that have developed by a combination of genes and environment over time. It's more than knowing the school song and the alma mater. (Yes, Valley has one – written by Mr. Hoffman, an English and music teacher, if my feeble memory serves me.) It's actually about people – their thoughts, dreams, accomplishments and yes, their failures and their hard times. All of this contributes to heritage. All of this makes a school “a school” and not just a pretty facility.
Nell Yeager Bumgarner
I'll end by dropping another Valley name or two. Nell Bumgarner – I wonder how many present residents and members of the Valley faithful have even heard of this iconic figure who loved Valley Schools with all of her huge heart and her sterling mind. And, I know most of the community loves and reveres William McKinley. But how much do they know of his longtime residency, his personal history, and his unfailing support of Valley Schools and local education? You see, these two people are an integral part of the heritage and the development of education in the entire community. Without them, the references to the “Purple and Gold” or to the “Indians” would mean much less. Lift them up. And, lift up others who can add to the continuously developing portrait of Valley Schools. May these words produce further actions and blessings. If this writing evokes conscience, let it be.
Access an introduction to Nell by clicking here: https://allthingswildlyconsidered.blogspot.com/2018/02/nell-bumgarner-and-old-lucasville.html Her writings are also available through the Historical Society.
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