Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for the "Ferry Street School Memorial Park" in Niles

$15,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

 

LANSING, Mich. –The Niles History Center will soon transform the remaining façade of the Ferry Street School into a community park recognizing the historical significance of the one-room, "colored" schoolhouse. The historic schoolhouse was nearly burned down completely in a 2023 fire; however, the façade was able to be rescued and preserved. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Niles History Center and the City of Niles announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $15,000 by April 25^th, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/schoolpark. 

 

“This project will give life to the site of the historic Ferry Street School and act as historic preservation through placemaking,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 

In 1867, the Colored Citizens of Niles successfully petitioned the City Council to build a new school for their children. A one-room brick school was constructed at the corner of 7th and Ferry Streets. When schools integrated a few years later, the school served all the children in the Ferry Street neighborhood. 

Ferry Street School was also a beloved community gathering place for the Niles community, including an event with famed activist Sojourner Truth, who spoke at the school in 1873. After the school closed in 1975, a group of citizens, recognizing the school's historical significance, restored the building. Ferry Street School was designated a Michigan State Historic Site. The Niles History Center began offering programs for children to experience a one-room schoolhouse setting and discover how local citizens fought for educational opportunities.

In May 2023, the Ferry Street School suffered a devastating fire. Only the north facade remained after the flames swept through. A plan was crafted by the City of Niles and the Ferry Street Resource Center to preserve what remained and create a memorial park to honor the school's historic legacy. A barrier-free entrance will ensure that all can enter and use the park with ease.  

“Losing the Ferry Street School to a fire was devastating; building this park with the remaining façade will allow us to remember and honor this special place,” said Christina Arseneau, Niles History Center Director. “The park will continue the tradition of serving our community and we are fortunate to be able to utilize the Public Spaces Community Places program to create the new Ferry Street School Memorial Park.” 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

“Placemaking is all about creating space for a community to come together, and the Ferry Street School Memorial Park will do just that,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “The school had deep historic connections for the residents of Niles. This project is a beautiful way to preserve both the physical façade of the building and the school’s role as a gathering place for the Niles community.” 

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of February 19, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $13.6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 400 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.5 million raised from 73,921 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds. 

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.