Lincoln Centennial
If Dr. Pittman could view the Lincoln Consolidated Schools of today, he might very well be surprised. In 1924, the experiment with rural education welcomed 500 students to a brand-new future. The Lincoln of today welcomes a diverse population of more than 3000 students.
From one K-12 building, the district has expanded to four elementary schools (Brick, Model, Bishop, Childs) which are named after some of the original one room schools. There is also one middle school and an enlarged high school. In 2021, the district opened the doors to the Lincoln Athletic Building. This impressive facility houses an indoor track, fitness area, locker rooms and multi-sport areas. Community use is encouraged.
On the campus of Lincoln sits Lowden School, one of the original one-room schools. It was restored by a community group and used today to instruct students and the community in their local history, allowing students to relive the school experiences of their ancestors.
The Abraham Lincoln statue and the murals remain as proud examples of our past. Dr. Pittman could walk into the Senior Center in the original building and see one of the many ways the community is served by the schools.
The Lincoln District today remains an area of villages rather than having an established city and therefore the school and its facilities are still looked to by the community from Senior Citizens programs to scouts and other youth activities. Lincoln is the community.
As Lincoln Consolidated Schools celebrates its Centennial, we reflect on the incredible journey that began when the first students entered the original building in 1924. Today, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren walk through our doors, facing a new world of opportunities. Throughout the district's rich history, our administrators, staff, students, and community have continued to honor and uphold the visionary ideals of Marvin Pittman and the early community leaders.
On base of Brick Elementary (the original K-12 building) is attached a plaque awarded by the Washtenaw County Historic District Commission that reads “Lincoln Consolidated School in 1924. The multi-township school in Michigan and the first rural consolidated school in the United States affiliated with a teacher training college. This exemplary rural consolidated school was founded under the leadership of Dr. Marvin Pittman of Michigan State Normal College and citizens of 13 one-room school districts.”
In 1949, Dr. Pittman returned to Lincoln to help celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary. At that celebration he congratulated the community who believed in his educational vision back in 1922. Could he return to celebrate the district’s 100th anniversary he might well again congratulate the Lincoln Community for continuing that vision.
