Denmark Township Historical Society Mission Statement
"To preserve the history, stories, and traditions of Denmark Township and its people, so that the values and achievements of past generations will inspire and guide those of the future."
SOS: Save Our School
The Valley School was a vital part of the community of Point Douglas for more than a century. Now you can help bring it back to life.
Built in 1852, Valley School District 34 was much more than a school—it was a center of family activities such as box suppers, community meetings and school programs. After the one-room school closed in 1946, its new owners, the Point Douglas Woman's Club, continued holding card parties, luncheons and meetings there until 1978, when they sold it to a family.
Today, more than 160 years after it was built, the Valley School still stands on its original site at 13728 St. Croix Trail South in south Washington County, a survivor in what was once the thriving lumbering village of Point Douglas. Located at the confluence of the Saint Croix and Mississippi Rivers—the only means of transportation in early years—Point Douglas was called the "Gateway to Minnesota." By the beginning of the 20th century, it had become a ghost town.
In January 2012 the Denmark Township Historical Society, a 501©3 organization, bought the schoolhouse and land, with plans to restore it so it can once more be a rich resource for the community. Members envision a time when the restored schoolhouse will host schoolchildren learning about pioneer education, people attending programs and activities hosted by the Society, and visitors to the Lower St. Croix Valley wanting information about the area.
To fund the SOS: Save Our School project, the Denmark Township Historical Society launched a capital fundraising campaign to raise $80,000 for the purchase of the historic site. The first payment of $40,000 was made May 1, 2012. The final payment was made May 1, 2013 to complete the purchase. The Society received a grant of $4,800 from the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage (Legacy) Fund to submit the nomination of the Valley School to the National Register of Historic Places. This was submitted to the state office in May. A second grant of $3,000 from the Sweatt Fund helped pay for a historic structures architectural report. According to the professional consultants who completed both steps: "Valley School appears to be the oldest extant school in Washington County. It is associated with the birth of the county's educational system." Restoration will begin soon. Ongoing support will be needed and appreciated.
For more information on how you can help restore Valley School for future generations contact Development Chair Bob Voigt (bobmavisvoigt@gmail.com) or Society President Wayne Boyd weboydo@gmail.com Phone: 651.436.8031. DTHS is a 501©3 nonprofit organization, so donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be sent to Treasurer Jean Boyd at 7575 Quadrant Avenue South, Hastings MN 55033. Donors of $1,000 or more will receive a book Train Pictures 1946-1957: a History of the Golden Age of U.S. Railroading, by Charles McCreary. You also can buy brick pavers for $250 each (engraved with a name if you wish). Thank you for your support.
"The Afton Historical Museum is in the process of creating an e-mail mailing list to inform the community about the Historical Society’s monthly activities and Museum events. If you would like to have your e-mail address put on their mailing list, please send your e-mail address to info@aftonhistoricalmuseum.com."