One-room schools focus of photo exhibit

Photographer Rick Munson, of Dixon, a local history buff also known for organizing events honoring people of yesteryear, was thumbing through “Pictorial History of Lee County Schools,” written by Dana Fellows.

One photo was all it took to make Munson want to share all of the old schoolhouse photos with the community.

“It started with that old schoolmarm,” he said, pointing to a scowling teacher in a class portrait, circa early 1900.

He got Fellows’ permission to bring awareness and new interest to the schools that once were scattered all over Lee County.

Now 60 of the 193 photos depicted in the book have been enlarged and will be on display today through Jan. 3 at The Next Picture Show. It runs in conjunction with the annual “Shades of Gray 6” show.

Fellows, 46, of Dixon, was working at the Lee-Ogle Regional Office of Education in Grand Detour when he discovered some one-room-schoolhouse class pictures.

“It was sad to see these pictures getting stolen, damaged or misplaced over the years,” Fellows said. “I asked if I could take the pictures home and scan them. I made a poster, which is hung at the regional office in Grand Detour, and people kept wanting to buy it.

“I guess that interest in the poster made something in my head say maybe I should just write a book.”

He was excited about Munson’s plan and offered him digital copies of the photos.

“[Munson] is a go-getter,” Fellows added. “And I have to give him credit for having rekindled interest in my book and some of the history of Lee County.”

Munson, who this year organized a V-J Day celebration and the installation and dedication of a memorial to the 34 victims of Dixon’s 1854 cholera epidemic, hopes this show will become a traveling exhibit.

It’s been a real treat finding out how many teachers are still around. There are 15 former teachers living at Heritage Square.”

Opening 
reception tonight

An opening reception for “Shades of Gray 6” runs from 6 to 8 tonight at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St.