Dickson School Cultural Center

Dickson School Cultural Center, Ltd.

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 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 the old Dickson 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 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; and making a multipurpose community activities room available. At present, the Brethren area doesn't have any of these facilities. Also, if the Dickson Township authorities agree, we would like to provide room for their offices in our building.

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. 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.

Our First Big Fundraiser

The acclaimed actor James Earl Jones is a graduate of the Dickson Rural Agricultural Consolidated High School. He has graciously offered to do two benefit performances for us, on September 15 and 16, 2006, at the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee. Tickets will go on sale September 11th at the Ramsdell box office. If you are an alumnus of the Dickson School, advance tickets may be available for purchase by mail. Contact us at the email address or mailing address below for details.

Contact Us

If you are interested in volunteering your time, making a donation, inquiring about tickets for the James Earl Jones benefit performance, 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.