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For
the fifth grade on, Catawba children
were allowed to attend Lesslie
Elementary; however, many roads
in the rural areas on and around
the reservation were not paved
until 1966. Thus, between the
time of the termination of federal
recognition of the Catawba Indian
Nation in 1959-60 and the closure
of the Reservation school in 1966,
formal education for many Catawba
children past the fourth grade
took a concerted effort. When
the school closed in 1966 and
children were bussed to public
elementary schools, the building
assumed the function of a community
center for the Catawba Indian
Nation.
The
school district gave the school
building as a gift to The Church
of Jesus Christ of the Latter
Day Saints (LDS), after which
many church functions and eventually
services were held in the building.
In its multifunctional use, the
building served as gathering place
for Tribal and community members.
During the 1970s and early 1980s,
pottery classes, quilting bees
and other traditional and non-traditional
craft classes were held in the
building. Local Scout troops would
hold weekly meetings. The building
also served as a dance hall, wedding
reception hall, and other party
functions during that time. In
addition, some office space was
created for a job placement service
run by Frances Wade. O. Keith
Brown remembers her placing his
sister Vanessa at the York County
library, where she still works
today. The LDS Church remodeled
the old school house building
in 1980 and used it until the
new church building was completed
in 1985. The building fell into
disuse after 1985.
©
2004 Claudia Y. Heinemann-Priest
& Catawba Cultural Preservation
Project.
Eedited for the web and updated
by J.R. Rice
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