In 2019, Trombly Elementary School was voted to close by the Board of Education. This decision was made to further move fifth graders into the middle schools, and budget cuts prevented Trombly and another elementary school, Poupard, from remaining open. While this decision was made a few years ago. Trombly is currently being awarded a historical plaque to recognize the cultural and historical significance of the building.

Many South students such as Abby Evans ’25 attended Trombly, and while the closing of the school didn’t change anything for her directly, she had remorse for the younger students in the building.

“Personally, it didn’t affect me that much when Trombly closed,” Evans said. “I didn’t have any younger siblings who went there. I can understand how it was hard for kids who were there, and confusing for kids who had to switch.”

The historical plaque at Trombly is a new addition to the building. Christine Gallagher, a member of the City of Grosse Pointe Park School Board, was one of many who worked on making this plaque happen. According to Gallagher, many believe that recognizing Trombly as a historical site is the first step to saving it.

“The purpose behind the plaque is to recognize the historical significance of the building and to create any opportunity that will help preserve the building and restore Trombly as an educational institution,” Gallagher said.

While nothing is finalized yet, there’s much discussion as to what information will be on the plaque and what it will hold, but for now the community is working harder than ever.

“I feel all in our community are proud of Trombly’s history and its impact on our community,” Gallagher said. “Most are in support of any effort to restore Trombly to the fundamental cornerstone of the community that it once was.”

Many past Trombly students, such as Alyssa Flores ’24, are very excited for this plaque, and hope their old school is getting the proper recognition.

“I’m actually kind of relieved that it’s getting a historical plaque,” Flores said. “I feel like if it didn’t then it would’ve gotten torn down, and a school like Trombly doesn’t deserve that.”

While Trombly was shut down three years ago, the restoration efforts have never stopped.

“Today Trombly is closed and empty,” Gallagher said. “A newly elected school board breathes life into reviving what was lost.”