By Kentucky Teacher Staff

On Sept. 11, 1865, the Paris City School opened its doors for the first time in what was formerly known as the Bourbon Academy.

Since 1897, the year the first class of students graduated, almost 6,000 students have received their diplomas from the Paris school system. And since 1918, just nine superintendents have overseen the district.

To mark the district’s anniversary, the Hopewell Museum is featuring a special exhibit called, “Paris Schools: 150 Years of Academic Excellence.” The display, which features a wide assortment of school memorabilia, will be on display through Oct. 11.

The Paris Independent School District is celebrating 150 years of educating Kentucky's children with a special exhibit through Oct. 11 at the Hopewell Museum in Paris. At a special opening reception, Doris McFarland (Class of 1964, former transportation director and former librarian), right, speaks with Janice Pelfrey Shepherd (Class of 1974 and current board member). Photo by Liz Yeiser

The Paris Independent School District is celebrating 150 years of educating Kentucky’s children with a special exhibit through Oct. 11 at the Hopewell Museum in Paris. At a special opening reception, Doris McFarland (Class of 1964, former transportation director and former librarian), right, speaks with Janice Pelfrey Shepherd (Class of 1974 and current board member).
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Paris Middle School student Danielle Small and her mother, Shanta Small, look over a photo of Mary Kellis, a former principal of Paris Western High School. A quilt made of band show and band trip t-shirts during 27-year career of former band director Phil Grigson is hanging on the wall beside the picture. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Paris Middle School student Danielle Small and her mother, Shanta Small, look over a photo of Mary Kellis, a former principal of Paris Western High School. A quilt made of band show and band trip t-shirts during 27-year career of former band director Phil Grigson is hanging on the wall beside the picture.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Shirley Stanforth Woodard (Class of 1955) shows off her majorette uniform at the opening reception of an exhibit at the Hopewell Museum celebrating 150 years of Paris schools. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Shirley Stanforth Woodard (Class of 1955) shows off her majorette uniform at the opening reception.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Mary Lovell, a former Paris librarian, views the exhibit of a 1950s band uniform, The portrait is of Thomas A. Siwicki, a former band director. The fine arts center in Paris is named in his honor. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Mary Lovell, a former Paris librarian, views the exhibit of a 1950s band uniform, The portrait is of Thomas A. Siwicki, a former band director. The fine arts center in Paris is named in his honor.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

The Hopewell Museum exhibit features many photos from the history of Paris schools, including this one of the Paris Western High School Class of 1958. Photo by Liz Yeiser

The Hopewell Museum exhibit features many photos from the history of Paris schools, including this one of the Paris Western High School Class of 1958 and a homecoming queen from 1950-51.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Lena Jones Turner (Class of 1980) took time to look over Wayne Kendall's letter sweater from 1958 during an opening reception for the Paris schools' exhibit. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Lena Jones Turner (Class of 1980) took time to look over Wayne Kendall’s letter sweater from 1958 during an opening reception for the Paris schools’ exhibit.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Kenney Roseberry, Class of 1940 and a former Paris High School teacher, visited the exhibit with her twin great granddaughters, Kitty and Annie, who currently are students in the Paris Independent School District. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Kenney Roseberry, Class of 1940 and a former Paris High School teacher, visited the exhibit with her twin great granddaughters, Kitty and Annie, who currently are students in the Paris Independent School District.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Linda Everman finds a seat below the portraits of former Paris superintendents, from left, Lee Kirkpatrick, William Russell and Paul Polly. In 150 years, the district has had just nine superintendents. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Linda Everman finds a seat below the portraits of former Paris superintendents, from left, Lee Kirkpatrick, William Russell and Paul Polly. Since 1918, the district has had just nine superintendents.
Photo by Liz Yeiser

Current Paris Superintendent Gary Wiseman, center, speaks with Henry Everman, Class of 1959 and a retired Eastern Kentucky University professor. Lexington Herald-Leader columnist Tom Eblen is at left. Photo by Liz Yeiser

Current Paris Superintendent Gary Wiseman, center, speaks with Henry Everman, Class of 1959 and a retired Eastern Kentucky University professor.
Photo by Liz Yeiser