A teacher for all

Even in her 90s, Mrs. Maguire sparkles in the company of children. Gathered around Mrs. Maguire and the Park Street School sign are several students from the school's 2004 third grade class (the last at Park Street), from left: Jack Parent, Morgan Campbell, Stephen Price, Shaelan Donovan, Cassie Cain, and Ryan Keefe. Gift of MSAD 71, 2005. 2005.035.0001

Ola Coombs Maguire still lights up when she's with children. To her, the Park Street School sign in The Brick Store Museum's collection is more than wood and paint; it represents the hear and soul of a remarkable career spent in education.

Mrs. Maguire graduated from Kennebunk’s Park Street School in 1931 when the high school was on the second floor. After going away to earn her teaching degree, Mrs. Maguire returned to Park Street to begin a teaching career that would span three wars, the administrations of six U.S. presidents and the elementary school years of literally thousands of students. She taught her first class in Kennebunk in 1935 and her last in 1973.

She estimates that she taught nearly 6,000 students in her career! "I think of the children often and still miss them, " she says. "It was a wonderful way to spend my life. Seeing this sign brings back many warm memories." The Museum recently invited Mrs. Maguire in to see the Park Street School sign donated when the school closed in 2004. There, she met up with several students representing the last third grade class to attend Park Street School. The children were thrilled, and it was a powerful connection of an educational career that had come full circle.

Campaign Home || Message || Case Statement || Connecting Generations || Campaign Updates || Timeline || Contribute || Bricks || Museum Home

The Brick Store Museum
117 Main Street * Kennebunk, Maine 04043
Phone: 207.985.4802 * Fax: 207.985.6887
www.brickstoremuseum.org