Athens Middle School students tour Donnell House

Published 6:45 am Thursday, May 18, 2017

Eighth-grade students enjoy punch and snacks on the porch of the Donnell House as part of their graduation reception. From left, Riley McEwen, Kadence Miller, Kinsley Carroll, Josie Teague and Arike Hobbs pose for a photo.

Athens Middle Schoolers couldn’t leave campus without learning more about the historic home that sits in the middle of it.

Eighth-graders toured the Donnell House Wednesday as part of a graduation reception organized by the Donnell House Committee. Committee vice president and reception coordinator Susan Anderson said this is the third year for students to tour the home.

The Donnell House, which was built in 1849, was home to the family of Presbyterian minister Robert Donnell during the Antebellum period. For decades, citizens have banded together to preserve the historic homestead and share it for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.

While students walked through each room, they learned who Donnell was and his role during Limestone County’s formative years. They saw his office, which houses original documents, and walked through the master bedroom and children’s room.

“We wanted to do something to expose them more to this house and its history,” Anderson said. “Some of these students have never been here.”

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One of those students was Jaden Harvey. Harvey said he was confused when he started school there because he didn’t know why the big white house was in the middle of campus.

“It’s interesting to see the history in the house and how they lived then,” he said.

With the countdown beginning for his high school career, Harvey said he is looking forward to more opportunities and more classes that pertain to careers.

It was easy to tell which students watched horror movies, as they were the first of the groups to leave from rooms like the children’s room and the office. Kinsley Carroll was one of them.

“It’s cool how old it is, but some of the rooms were really hot and creepy,” she said, adding she’s ready to have the freedom that comes with being a high-schooler.

Another first-timer, Arike Hobbs, said she enjoyed her first time in the house. She too has a mix of emotions regarding her entry into high school life.

“I’m excited about seeing and doing everything the high school has to offer,” she said.

Other students, such as Jasmine Kyle, are revisiting the historic home.

“I like coming here because my favorite subject is history and this is right by my school,” she said.