Assistance from throughout the world is being sought to ensure that the school built by WWI hero Sgt. Alvin C. York is saved from demolition.

The National Register of Historic Places-recognized York Agricultural Institute building (circa 1925), which was slated for demolition by its owner, the State of Tennessee Department of Education, was the subject in 2008 of numerous news stories throughout the country and several emotion-filled public hearings on Capitol Hill in Nashville.

After months of struggle, the State agreed to turn over the building to the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, a 501c3 organization formed 15 years ago by descendants of Sgt. York, including his three surviving children, and many devotees of the reluctant young World War I soldier from Pall Mall, Tenn., whose resolve in battle brought him world-wide recognition. 

However, instead of personally capitalizing on his military accomplishments, one of the most highly decorated American soldiers to serve in the First World War, looked to the future. 

“When I went out into that big outside world I realized how uneducated I was and what a terrible handicap it was,” York wrote. “I was called to lead my people toward a sensible modern education.”

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