Boulder marks 25 years of Mary Welsh Elementary building

WILLIAMSBURG — An engraved boulder was recently placed in front of Mary Welsh Elementary School to commemorate 25 years of the elementary school in Williamsburg.

This 15,100 pound granite boulder memorializes the impact of Mary Welsh and her contributions to the community.

Mary Welsh began her teaching career in a one room country schoolhouse in York Township. She was instrumental in helping families transition from country schoolhouses into the three larger, more distant schools of Conroy, Parnell and Williamsburg.

In 1957, Welsh was named principal for kindergarten through sixth grades.

As time went on, Welsh played another vital role in implementing and transitioning families of the Conroy and Parnell Districts to the Williamsburg District.

the advantages of being a larger school district laid the foundation for the Williamsburg Community School District in place today.

Welsh passed away unexpectedly in November of 1987 while she was still principal of the grade school. In 1999, the middle school was built and named in her honor.

Contributors to this project included River Products Company, Jeff McKenna, TNT Landscaping, Wieser Precast Concrete and the family of Mary Welsh.