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Making history: St. Peter's School fourth-graders research, publish 'Hometown History for Kids'
A proud smile curved across 11-year old Ward Richey's face and his body rocked side to side as he enthusiastically explained his research on the Terminal Station.
"It's known as the Chattanooga Choo Choo," he began.
"A lot of famous people visited Chattanooga. I thought it was just this small town that no one knew about. Then I figured out that (former President) Woodrow Wilson went there and (former President) Teddy Roosevelt and (singer and actor) Elvis Presley went there," he said, citing the people who visited the city by railroad.
Ward beamed with so much excitement that he hit the back of his hand into his palm for emphasis.
St. Peter's Episcopal School teacher Jennifer von Klar has crafted that kind of eagerness in all 28 fourth-graders who took part in her six-month history project.
The students wrote their own history book, "Hometown History For Kids: Chattanooga."
"It will be really helpful to give this out to people," said Ward.
Each student chose a city landmark and researched its history. Then they made a 3-D model of their place and made a map of where each place is located.
Aspiring author Camden Nelson wrote about the Tennessee Aquarium. Cameron Sparks researched the Walnut Street Bridge, and Scout Schlosser tells readers about the Chickamauga Dam.
Haley Hixon learned about Ross's Landing, Michael Greenholtz wrote about the Dome Building and Sloane Drayer educates readers about Baylor School. Amon Bell and McKenna Webster were among students who painted watercolor illustrations of landmarks in the book.
The students gave Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke a copy this month. He signed several copies and encouraged the youth to continue their studies.
Von Klar started the project when she didn't find a book that focused on teaching local history to kids.
She decided the class would make their own book. The students started the research in October. She and her husband fact-checked their reports. Then she spent spring break putting it together, using Shutterfly, an internet-based image publishing service.
After she made one copy, students paid $27 to order their own copies.
It's a glossy hardcover tabletop showpiece decorated with depictions of the Walnut Street and Market Street bridges, along with pictures of the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, the Rock City barn and the Chattanooga Choo Choo sign.
Students painted shredded pieces of the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper to make the water flowing under the bridges.
The book is so popular that people outside the school want to purchase it. And other students want to write their own books next school year. Von Klar said she isn't sure if she'll take on the project again, but the book will be used to teach local history. Before she makes the book available to the public, she wants officials from each landmark to make sure all information is accurate.
Hands shot up near the end of the school year last week when von Klar asked students to give oral presentations of their research. Christopher Renegar, 11, took the floor to talk about Point Park.
He told his class about a Civil War battle fought there in 1863, about the landmark Umbrella Rock where many tourists have taken pictures and about the 1 million tourists who visit the park annually.
"I fell in love with it," said Christopher after his presentation. "I told my mom I need to go to this place."
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.