Dexter School Kids Raise Money For Sign Honoring Black Engineer

Fourth graders at Dexter’s Wylie Elementary School concluded a successful fundraising drive to pay for a sign to honor Fred Pelham, the first African American to earn an engineering degree from the University of Michigan.

Pelham graduated in 1887. The Detroit native designed bridges for the Michigan Central Railroad before dying in 1895 from acute pneumonia at the age of 30. The children learned about Pelham this fall while working on a project investigating local history and bridge design. Pelham designed a skew arch railroad bridge in Dexter, and the children thought he deserved more recognition for the work.

The 4th graders decided to try to raise funds for a commemorative sign. With donations from December factored in, they raised the required $2,000. The children worked on their fund drive this fall and winter, presenting their plan to the Dexter Parks and Recreation Commission, city council and the Dexter Community Schools board of education, among other groups. The sign will be placed near a seating area at Mill Creek Park.

Photo via Wylie Elementary School.