URGENT UPDATE: Former students flocked to Horace Mann Elementary School in Fargo for a self-guided tour just days ago, rekindling cherished memories before the building’s impending demolition next summer. This heartfelt gathering on November 26, 2023, allowed attendees to revisit their early school days and see the changes made over the years.
As the clock ticks down to the school’s closure, emotions ran high. The tour showcased significant areas, including an old computer lab now repurposed as instructional space. Adam Korstad, a former student, expressed nostalgia, reminiscing about his first classroom. The adjacent library, filled with artifacts like yearbooks from the 1960s and PTA records dating back to the 1930s, served as a poignant reminder of the school’s rich history.
“This is a chance to check in on an old friend,” said Leandra Ostrom, Principal of Horace Mann-Roosevelt, who emphasized the lasting impact the school has had on the community. “We all remember our elementary schools, the smell, the activities, the teachers. It’s wonderful to see it come to life again.”
With the demolition set for summer 2024, excitement is building for the new Horace Mann Elementary, scheduled to open in 2028. The ongoing tours, part of a year-long celebration of the school’s legacy, provide a unique opportunity for alumni to reconnect with their past.
Ostrom shared a lighthearted moment from the tour, recalling a visitor’s surprise at the changes in Mr. Holmgren’s office. “You get to joke about it a little bit,” she noted, highlighting the community’s emotional connection to the school.
Three additional tours are planned before the school year ends: the next one on December 29, 2023, from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by tours on April 11, 2024, from noon to 4 p.m., and May 13, 2024, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.. These events are not just about nostalgia; they are a celebration of the relationships built within the walls of Horace Mann.
“This building is about the families, the students, and the legacies created here,” Ostrom added. As the final days of the school approach, she encourages everyone to seek out and cherish those memories before the next chapter begins.
Don’t miss your chance to experience Horace Mann Elementary one last time—join the upcoming tours and be part of this historic farewell.
