Dickson School Cultural Center, Brethren, Michigan

Dickson School Cultural Center, Ltd.

Click here for James Earl Jones information

Click here for gym demolition information

Above: Dickson Rural Agricultural Consolidated High School Students & Staff, 1923

Our Story So Far

In 2002, the village of Brethren, Michigan held a centennial celebration. Late that summer, a Dickson High School reunion was held for all former graduates of the Dickson Rural Agricultural Consolidated High School, and its successor, Brethren High School. At the reunion, several people expressed an interest in saving Dickson High School, which was in disrepair. A group of concerned citizens met that fall and started the process of planning for the acquisition and restoration of the building. An architect was consulted regarding the structural integrity of the building, and the building was found safe and restorable. After many months of discussion and negotiations with the owner, the group purchased the building in late June of 2004, thanks to the generosity of several graduates.

Our plan for the building, once restored, is to make it into a community cultural center for the benefit of residents in the greater Brethren/Dickson Township area. Proposed uses of the building include: establishing a public library branch; making one of the rooms a senior center; providing space for a multi-cultural local history museum; making an all-purpose community activities room available; and possibly providing office space for a few civic groups. Apart from the Brethren Historical Museum, the Brethren area doesn't have any of these facilities.

Since purchasing the building, we have been working on restoring it, inside and out. Click on any of the following underlined phrases to learn more about our current projects: stabilizing and patching the roof; removing trees and bushes whose roots have grown too close to the foundation; cleaning interior and making it ready for renovation; demolishing the gym, which is beyond repair and not part of the original building; re-bricking the north side of the building after gym demolition (if necessary); and replacing and restoring broken windows. Future projects include, but are not limited to: restoring the bell tower and bell, as shown in the 1923 picture above; replacing the concrete nameplate above the entrance, which has been defaced; making the building handicap-accessible; restoring the original north stairway and fire exit; installing a new heating system; and thoroughly cleaning the interior. We also plan to apply for State of Michigan Historic Site status, which could lead to being named to the National Register of Historic Places.

We Need Your Help!

Restoring a building of this size and age is a monumental task, to say the least. Like many other small non-profit groups, we are all volunteers and are dependent on donations and grants to accomplish our goals. We are searching for grants at the present time. We were granted official 501c3 non-profit corporation status by the IRS in January, 2006, retroactive to 4/23/03. We are in urgent need of donations to assist in all phases of the building's restoration. We invite you to join us in restoring this once vibrant school into a community cultural center for the greater Brethren area. Gifts of any size are greatly appreciated, and are tax-deductible.

We also need volunteers! Everyone has some time or talent to donate, and in numbers there is strength. If you live near Brethren, please consider volunteering your time. Send an email: dscc@manistee.org.

Our First Big 2006 Fundraiser - James Earl Jones Visits Manistee!

Acclaimed actor James Earl Jones (1949 graduate of the Dickson Rural Agricultural Consolidated High School) graciously offered to do two benefit performances for us, on September 15 and 16, 2006, at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee. Tickets for both performances were sold out. We also sold autographed copies of his autobiography, "Voices and Silences" as well as commemorative t-shirts. It was a rousing success by all accounts. We hope to have James Earl Jones return to Manistee County for the dedication of the Dickson School Cultural Center in a few years. We have much work to do to make that dream a reality. Contact us at the email address or mailing address below for details of how you can be a part of this exciting project.

Contact Us

If you are interested in volunteering your time, making a donation, getting your name on the alumni mailing list, or have other questions or suggestions, please email us at: dscc@manistee.org. If you prefer to send a letter, our mailing address is: Dickson School Cultural Center, Ltd., P.O. Box 206, Brethren, MI, 49619.