Heuck’s Retreat School closed in the 1950s, but former students and their families still have an opportunity to meet, swap stories and have fun at the annual reunion.

The school was established in 1880 as a one-room, one-teacher school, according to its historical marker.

Former student and reunion organizer Percy Rutledge said the reunion has been going on for about 40 years.

“I’ve been active in it about 10 years,” he said. “I didn’t graduate there, but my mother was active in the reunions.”

Rutledge said his mother went to Heuck’s and his brother graduated in 1956. Rutledge said he attended Heuck’s for nine years but ultimately transferred to what was then called Copiah-Lincoln Agricultural High School.

Rutledge said attendance at Heuck’s was bolstered during an effort to consolidate schools in the 1920s.

“The schools were located about four miles apart, so kids wouldn’t have to walk more than a couple miles each way,” Rutledge said.

When those schools closed, many children were sent to Heuck’s. But Heuck’s itself would face closure itself in 1959, according to the historical marker.

“You had a school at Ruth,” Rutledge said. “You had a school at East Lincoln. At one point you had a school at New Sight. In the late ‘50s you had another consolidation. At that point, the property north of Mississippi Central Railroad went to Co-Lin for a number of years. Ultimately that became Enterprise School District. South of the railroad went to the Brookhaven School District.”

Rutledge said every year there are fewer and fewer reunion attendees. Many of the Heuck’s graduates have died. Still, he said he expects about 40 people to attend.

“Some of us might get up and tell some tale that we remember,” Rutledge said. “Then they like to sit around and look at the old annuals and reminisce about this and that. It’s not really anything real structured.”

The reunion, located at the Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church Family Ministry Center, will be spread over two days, May 27 and May 28. Registration for May 27 begins at 4 p.m. Those attending should bring a covered dish of their favorite food.

May 28 will be a catered luncheon. People should make reservations for the luncheon by May 23 by sending a check for $12.50 per person to Rutledge, mailed to 2015 Parkhill Lane SE Bogue Chitto, MS 39629. Registration for May 28 will begin at 10 a.m., and lunch will be served at noon.