Students moved into the new state-of-the-art Silas Willard Elementary School in April, but pieces of the old school still remain.
District 205 Finance Superintendent Jennifer Hamm says a number of historical relics were saved from the 103-year-old building that is undergoing demolition this summer.
A playground to accompany the new building is still being built and Hamm tells WGIL that one of Old Silas’ most visible artifacts will be incorporated into that space.
“The new archway that will lead into the playground area, that header-stone that says ‘Silas Willard’ on it that is from the old Silas Willard School and that will be incorporated into the archway,” Hamm says.
An unexpected discovery will be incorporated as well.
“We actually found a time stamped stone that was hidden behind bricks,” Hamm says. “We’re going to incorporate that as well into the new gateway structure.”
Another old stone was supposed to be placed with a new electronic sign, but unfortunately it was brittle and crumbled.
Hamm adds that a number of smaller pieces will be placed throughout the school and in a large display case on the second floor. She says that Old Silas has a number of historical ties to the community and the district wanted to save as much of it as possible.
