A large, joyous crowd gathered today for the Henry C. Yerger Museum Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Hope. Participants browsed the numerous photos, artifacts, and memorabilia which details the history of Henry C. Yerger, his family, and the schools for which his legacy is most known. 

Multiple civic and business leaders, elected officials, and members of the community turned out to attend the event. A great portion of the assembly eager to peruse the new museum were Yerger alumni, proudly wearing their school colors of blue and gold, and filled with delight that the museum opening coincided with the Yerger Reunion. Museum President Ala Mae Flenory said the Yerger High School Museum Association was thrilled about the opening. “We hoped to have this ready for the 2022 reunion, and so many people have worked hard to make this happen," Flenory said. “When the integration took place and our schools were closed, we still held pride in our school spirit, our colors, our mascot, all that made us Yerger students. We are one of the only schools in the United Stated that still gathers to have a reunion.” Flenory said the museum opening may have been a long time in the making, but “this is just the beginning.”

The museum is filled with a variety of items pertaining to this integral piece of Hope history: Yerger High School sports awards, teacher record books, a Hall of Fame of Yerger alumni, and personal items from Henry C. Yerger like letters and the Yerger family bible, plus much more. For those interested in seeing these historical items in person and learning more, current museum hours are Thursday through Saturday 10am to 3pm.