By Steve Davidson
Contributing Writer

The Live Oak City Council has taken action to move Northeast Lakeview College’s Lower Valley School District No. 33 Restoration Project a step closer to its realization as a public museum.

As part of its July 8 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to approve the city’s Economic Development Corp.’s wish to make a contribution of $5,793.45 to Northeast Lakeview’s “School House Project.”

According to Mayor Joe Painter, the funds donated are the remaining balance of funds once set aside for the Metrocom’s proposed Aviation History Museum, a plan tabled as a result of research acquired from a feasibility study.

“The city’s donation helps because it builds towards our funding account,” said Dr. Martha Trevino, director of college and grants development for Northeast Lakeview College. “The school has to raise its own funds. We can’t use tax dollars. Once we have a healthy amount of funds obtained, we’ll begin the restoration.”

Once restored as a public museum on the new 265-acre college campus, the two-room school house — which served the “Lower Valley” community from 1877 until 1966 — will serve the community in a most unique way. Beyond acting as a public history museum, displaying artifacts, documents and photographs, the historic schoolhouse will become a field trip destination for area elementary school children.

The restored Lower Valley School will make possible the opportunity for the children to attend classes as they would have if taught in the 1800s.

“It will be a living history classroom,” said Trevino. “The children will dress in period clothing and learn and play as the children did long ago.”

Involved with the Alamo Community College District’s plans to bring the Northeast Lakeview campus to the Metrocom area for more than 10 years, Painter said he sees the council’s decision to assist in the project funding as a logical step toward the advancement of both the school and area communities.

“The restoration project is so significant in what the ACCD is doing with its campus,” Painter said. “The restoration project is going to become a living museum for kids. It’ll be a community gathering place. The ACCD is proving once again that they’re not a stand-alone school.

“The Lower Valley School District #33 Restoration Project will be the first of many things the campus will provide our community,” he added.