Alumni open museum to preserve history of Webb School in Carroll County

McKENZIE, Tenn. — This Labor Day weekend, years of hard work were realized in the opening of a museum in honor of a historic West Tennessee school.

Fifty years ago, the Webb School in McKenzie closed its doors for good, but now alumni have opened a museum to make sure its history is never forgotten.

“We tried to record not knowing that one day we would use this, but it came it handy,” Webb class of 1962 graduate and historical committee member John Nolan said.

For years, Nolan collected school memorabilia and hundreds of class photos, timeless items that make up the new Webb Historical Museum in McKenzie.

“Mr. Joe David Howard, 1951 class,” Nolan said. “This is his horn that he played while he was in school here. He kept it all these many years.”

Webb School was the only school for African-American students in Carroll County before integration. The class of 1966 made a promise to their principal that they would keep the spirit of Webb alive even after the school closed.

“Proud of this school, and that’s why in 1971 we got together and we decided we would buy the school,” Webb class of 1966 graduate and alumni association national president  Ike Gilbert Jr. said.

Although alum gather every Labor Day to reminisce, some couldn’t believe 50 years had passed.

With the historical museum open, graduates say the history of the school can live on.

“We’ve got to keep telling the story to the young people,” Nolan said. “Because if we don’t tell it, it’s lost.”

“It’s just a community thing, and we want to keep it like that as long as possible,” Gilbert said.

The Northwest Tennessee Head Start program uses part of the building during the school year. The Webb Historical Museum is open on Tuesdays or by appointment. Admissions is free.

The alumni association is a nonprofit organization. Each year, it gives students scholarships to help with pay for their higher education.