"Last Standing Baptist Mountain Mission School in Arkansas"

In a earlier post I had mention the MO-ARK Academy building that still stands on the Missouri and Arkansas line in Blue Eye. A local person by the name of Pam Jones- Sheridan had contacted me and gave me some great info on what we called MO-ARK Academy growing up. I would like to share what she sent me.           History of Mountain Mission Schools. Following the Civil War, northern churches decided there was a need for schools to educate the children of the newly freed slaves. At that time there were a lot of southern churches not anxious to take up that cause. So they decided instead that there was a need to educate children in the poor, remote areas of Appalachia.The first schools opened circa 1880,(circa is Latin for around about,Circa is widely used in genealogy and historical writing when the dates of events are not precisely known) and eventually they spread west of the Mississippi to the highlands of Arkansas circa 1915. Mountain Mission Schools differed from other church sponsored schools in that they also championed social uplifting. They offered classes in agriculture, blacksmithing, carpentry, printing, crafts and domestic skills. Some schools opened their communities first health clinics. They often campaigned for improved roads, and battled bootleggers and moonshiners. Mountain Mission Schools maintained an emphasis on improving a communities standard of living. They crafts were often sold to support the family or school. They found a large market for these "mountain crafts" in the big cites on the east coast. Mountain Mission Schools faded from existence during the Great Depression. A lack of funds and the building of public schools were responsible for their demise. Their academic standards were emulated by new local public schools being built at the time. Most Mountain Mission schools ceased to exist once a community found the funding to build a public school system. The Mountain Mission schools improved educational opportunities for children in rural communities. Their graduates were often the first in their community to attend college.Sources "Mountain Mission Schools" by Brooks Blevins in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. "Mountain Mission Schools in Arkansas by Brooks Blevins in Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Winter 2011.                                                                                                                                                                              The Last standing Baptist Mountain Mission School in Arkansas. There appears to have been about 15 Mountain Mission Schools in Arkansas.They were operated by 7 different denominations.The Baptist operated more M.M. schools in Arkansas than any other denomination. In 1915 the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptists stated to take up the Mountain Mission work in Arkansas. it launched a campaign that would bring 5 academies and 1 junior college into their Mountain Mission School program. The first 2 Academies to open were located in existing buildings. The third , the Carroll County Institute appears to be the first to be built from the ground up. . Baptist Mountain Mission schools were located in Randolph, Baxter, Carroll, Johnson, Newton, Montgomery Counties.                     The  History of the Mo-Ark Academy. The Academy began in 1916 with the first class attending in 1918. It was located on a 10 acre campus, the land being donated by Wilson E. Butler. The Academy had many names over the years but is known by most as the Mo-ark Academy. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Mo-Ark Academy. It was first named the Carroll County Academy, then the name changed to the Montview Institute. It was called the Armo Academy for a period of time as well. The campus included 3 buildings, the school, a girls dorm and and later a boys dorm was added. The girls dorm and school are still standing. Student tuition was $2.00, grades 2-5, and $5.00, for senior high school. The Principal was LouElla Austin, she was a college trained teacher from Texas. Taken from the "Oak and Laural, A Study of the Mountain Mission Schools of the Southern Baptists" by Mabel Swartz Withoft, " the Montview boasted an impressive 2 story schoolhouse featuring a auditorium and stage that could seat 175 People." The stage remains in its original condition today. The brick for the building was made on-site. The one in Blue Eye appears to be the last one of the six Baptist Mountain Mission school still standing.                                                                                                                                                        I have written the history of the Mo-Ark Academy for the Mo-Ark Academy Restoration Fund. We are trying to restore the structure so that it can function as a community center. It is in fairly good condition considering the age and deterioration due to a leaky roof. So far money has been raised through fund raisers and material and labor volunteers to repair the roof, replace some floor joists and support beams, a asbestos survey was done ( none found) and we have begun work on replacing the windows of which there are 48 in all.
       So I asked Pam if I could post on here where to send donations if people wanted to help restore. a Historic Land site and this is what she sent me. So if you can find it in your heart and can afford to help, here is the info.                                                                   

 Donations can be made to the Mo-Ark Academy Restoration Fund, P.O.Box 93, Oak Grove,Arkansas 72660. Or contacting any member. Johnny Bilyeu , President, Pam Jones Sheridan,Secretary or Donna Plumlee Curtis, Treasurer. We also have a facebook page "Mo-Ark Academy". We will also have a fundraising booth at the Blue Eye Reunion on Aug. 31, 2013.