THE PUTNAM CITY
SCHOOLS MUSEUM ORIGINS
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Welcome to the Putnam City Schools Museum. It has been a dream of many alumni for years-a place to showcase the history and memorabilia of Putnam City Schools.
The gathering of memorabilia began in 1984 by several graduates who were afraid that, unless someone began collecting items from the history of the school district, many items with historical value would be discarded and eventually forgotten.
The district has provided a building, the former Waggoner’s store, located at N.W. 40th and Grove, for a museum. Operated as a showcase for all the schools in the Putnam City School District, the museum board of directors are seeking alumni from all the schools to assist in the development and collection of artifacts and memorabilia and to help with operating the museum.
Volunteer for the museum have gathered shelving units and furniture and have arranged displays from cases of materials that had previously been stored in the Arnett Building.
Alumni, former students, teachers and staff from all the schools, who wish to join the museum committee, donate items or help in any way please contact: Jim Shields (1950), 787-7029 or shieldsjc@aol.com: Mike Brake (1965) brakescribe@cox.net: Sheron Folsom Rodgers (1964) 721-5531 or Sheronrodgers@cox.net. The mailing address for the museum is Putnam City Schools Museum, P.O. Box 561, Bethany, OK 73008. The phone number is 787-2207 and the email address is putnamcitymuseum @att.net.
School History: In the spring of 1914, pioneer families in the Council Grove Township gathered to find ways to provide their children with the best education possible. They combined four one-room schools into a consolidated district, resulting in a far reaching view toward the future. This insight and wisdom led to the creation of the Putnam City School District.
Today, the Putnam City Schools are still offering the best education possible, with a thorough curriculum and teachers and administrators who share a passion for learning with the students who will soon be leading our country.
For the 1914 school year, classes were held in the I.M. Putnam Building (later renamed the Arnett Building in 1916). In 1915, classes were held in the new two-story buildings at N.W. 40th and Grove , with 160 students and six teachers in attendance. Many students walked to school or rode horses, who could be stabled near the school building. Some students rode the Interurban and others were transported in horse-drawn vans provided by the district.
The First graduating ceremony for seniors was in 1919, when three students, Etta Green, Charles McKinney and Verde Stinchcomb graduated from Putnam City High School.
Sports have always been a big part of student activities. The first track team was organized by Freda Matthews in 1917. Throughout the years students and athletes in the district have excelled in both team and individual sports with many moving on to top collegiate and professional teams.
Through the years, the school district progressed and adapted to the subtle changes in society. Despite setbacks, such as two major fires to school buildings, progress was inevitable in the district. By 1957 changing demographics prompted a building campaign away from the original campus as two new elementary schools were built.
Continuing growth resulted in a new high school, Putnam City High School, at N.W. 50th and Ann Arbor which opened in 1958. When graduation classes exploded to nearly 1000 students, construction began on Putnam City West High School, which opened in 1968, and then another, Putnam City North High School, in 1978.
Today the Putnam City School District includes 18 elementary, 5 middle and 3 high schools. In addition, the district operates the Academy, and alternative school for students requiring a special learning environment.
Now approaching the second century of service, the district looks forward to the future, but the past is not forgotten!
The museum houses articles, photos, archives and other objects from all schools in the Putnam City School District
