DEAR FRIEND Letters 1959

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 17: PMSS Publications (Published by the School)
DEAR FRIEND Letters 1959

Dear Friend Letters 1959, December & May

[All sketches were done by Mary Rogers.]

TAGS: Dear Friend letters 1959,Mary Rogers sketches,graduation day,Burton Rogers,fundraising letters,special activities program,Berea College,medical clinic,Cumberland Gap National Historical Park,Henry Creech,problems with mountainous terrain,Harlan County public school system

CONTENTS: Dear Friend Letters 1959 May 19

Header: Pine Mountain Settlement School
Pine Mountain, Kentucky
Sketch: Children and dog crossing a creek on a footbridge.

“May 19, 1969
Dear Friends,
Today is graduation day. This afternoon 29 boys and girls of the eighth grade received diplomas in a special service which they themselves planned and conducted in the Hedges Memorial Chapel. This is the largest graduating class we have had since the one room schools were brought together on our campus just ten years ago. Then we began with only four pupils in the eighth grade.”

PMSS Director Burton Rogers, who wrote this fundraising letter, goes on to describe the success of the elementary and high school libraries, the hot lunch program which resulted in healthier students, a study of nutrition in the classroom teaching and a special activities program added this year. Once a week, 130 students in grades 7 to 10 meet to work in woodwork, art, music, journalism, electricity, physical education, sewing, pottery and home nursing.

Rogers writes about the school paper The Pine Cone, the audio-visual room, and nearly a dozen Berea College Education majors who work in autumn and spring at PMSS as practice teachers. He describes historical drama presentations by the seventh and eighth grades and the weekly volunteer service of a member of the Berea College Department of Music.

Rogers announces the re-opening of the Clinic at Pine Mountain. PMSS’s previous doctor returned for three months of community service, such as physical exams and inoculations to more than 600 children.

Rogers ends the letter with thanks to previous donors and an appeal for gifts before the budget year closes on June 30th.

“Gratefully,
[signed] Burton Rogers, Director”

GALLERY

Dear Friend Letter from Burton Rogers, 1959 May 19. [1959May19BurtonRogerstoFriend.jpg]

CONTENTS: Dear Friend Letter 1959 December

Page 1

Header: “Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, Kentucky“
Sketches: Cabin on a hillside; man with mules and a plow in a mountain setting; children seated around a teacher.

“THE PROBLEM“
Rogers refers to the recent dedication of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and new road as examples of this year’s focus on Southeastern Kentucky’s past, present and future. He mentions William Creech‘s log cabin and the contributions of his son, Henry Creech, a PMSS board member, to the community.

“The geological formation of this region has presented acute problems…excessive fragmentation of the region into innumerable ravine-like valleys separated from one another by the steep barriers of the intervening ridges. This has rendered almost impossible the forms of community life and organization which are taken for granted in many other rural areas…[such as] schools, medical care, health and library services and recreational opportunities for young people….”

Dear Friend Letter from Burton Rogers, December 1959. [1959DecBurtonRogerstoFriend.jpg]

“AN ANSWER”
“It was to help in such a situation that institutions like the Pine Mountain Settlement School were established. Today our efforts join those of others toward a solution of the problems in our immediate neighborhood.” Rogers writes about the success of the combined efforts of the Harlan County public school system and PMSS.

Page 2
Sketches: Pioneer man looking across mountaintops; star; two fir trees with mountain range in background.

“THE VISION“
Rogers quotes the words of pioneer William Creech. He then quotes from a recent visitor, a teacher from Germany: “… my short stay in Pine Mountain was my most impressive experience. … To me it was a new proof that real culture and happiness is based on idealism and close connection with nature and family life….” Rogers defines PMSS’s task as “that of creating opportunity for mountain children.” He ends with Christmas greetings and an invitation to make a gift to the School.

“Gratefully yours,
[signed] Burton Rogers, Director”

GALLERY

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