Dublin Christian Academy students who were in Holly Christensen’s joint first and second year class during the 2020-2021 school year traveled with her to Warren on June 3 for the unveiling of a new school marker. historic highway they helped create.

The marker is in honor of Sarah Whitcher, the subject of a legendary piece of Warren history. In June 1783, four-year-old Sarah reportedly got lost in the woods. After a four-day search, a man came forward saying he had dreamed three times that Sarah would be found under a pine branch near Berry Brook, which still exists in Warren today, and that she was guarded by a bear. Sarah was soon found exactly as he had said, and she confirmed her dream, saying that “a large black dog” had watched over her at night.

There are many children’s books based on this tale, including “Sarah Whitcher’s Story” by Elizabeth Yates, which Christensen read to her class in January 2021.

“From the start, the kids seemed very, very interested,” Christensen said. “At the end, unlike most books, they wanted to know more about Sarah.”

According to Amy Dixon, community preservation coordinator with the New Hampshire Division of Historic Resources, it’s no surprise that history has such a pull on people.

“There’s a sense of perseverance…you can only imagine how difficult life was in the early days of colony,” she said. “(Sarah’s) childlike way of telling the story is full of wonder and fantasy.”

Christensen and her class spent the next few months researching whether or not Sarah had married, had any children, and how long she had lived. Christensen says she encouraged that interest.

“Anytime you have the opportunity as a teacher to bring a character to life, you want to do it,” she said.

Christensen had the opportunity in March 2021 to take photos of the area where Sarah allegedly disappeared. At the same time, she was struck by another idea.

“It was while I was there that I called my parents, who have a book of all the historic road markers in the state, and asked (if there was one for Sarah),” Christensen said.

Upon learning that such a marker did not exist, Christensen began to investigate what it would take to create one. She learned that anyone could submit a request to the Department of Historic Resources to have a building erected, as long as it was accompanied by a petition with at least 20 signatures from New Hampshire residents. Christensen’s students were enthusiastic about the idea and, with the help of their families, were able to get over 200.

Dixon said getting that many signatures doesn’t happen often when petitioning for a marker.

“They went above and beyond,” she said. “I think it was a great community effort.”

Currently, there are 272 historic road markers in New Hampshire, with more expected to be built throughout the summer and fall. Dixon believes that Sarah’s marker process, driven by students, shows what the program is all about.

“The intention and hope of the program is that it is community driven,” she said. “We want the markers to reflect local interest.”

Christensen said that while she didn’t necessarily expect something like this to come out of a simple story hour, she knew her class was special.

“It wasn’t on my radar at first, but the group of parents and students I had last year, I would call it exceptional,” she said. “I wouldn’t say (I was) surprised, but I would say excited.”

Christensen believes his students also learned practical lessons from the process.

“The civic value was huge, as far as the government petition goes,” she said.

Over a year in the making, Christensen said the event itself was very special for his students.

“The town of Warren has really rolled out the red carpet for the kids,” she said. “They went above and beyond.”