A piece of history in the Wellman community will be receiving needed repairs thanks to a recent gift. 

The Smith Creek Country School has been a part of the Wellman community since 1837 with the Wellman Heritage Society responsible for upkeep of the school since 1985. Thanks to a $50,000 gift from Julie Foster Van Camp, the school will repair the roof along with other general upkeep. Heritage Society member Sue Foster Kempf says the school was originally located in Lime Creek township, about five miles southwest of Wellman until it closed in 1957. Shortly after the formation of the heritage society in 1985, the school was moved to the top of 7th Avenue in Wellman Heritage Park. After moving the school, members of the community came together to give much needed repairs such as replastering the walls along with painting the interior and exterior. They also scavenged for old desks, chairs and blackboards to make it as authentic as possible. Kempf says this project holds great importance as Van Camp is her cousin and much of her family was involved with the school, “It means a great deal to me because my family was very instrumental in the formation of the early school district. Fosters attended the school for many many years. My great-grandmother was the teacher, who would also be Julie Van Camp’s grandmother and my grandfather was on the school board. I mean my family was very involved in the school along with many others.”

Kempf added that Van Camp lives in Los Alamos, New Mexico and gave the gift to see a big part of her family’s history live on. No proposed timeline was given for roof repairs. Those who would like to give donations or see the school are encouraged to contact the Wellman Heritage Society by calling Kempf at 319-936-0001 or Tracy Owens at 319-461-5598.