August 27, 2005
Eight Square Schoolhouse Festival
I went from the modern Dryden Elementary School to the 1827 Eight Square Schoolhouse today, a rather drastic change in environment. The History Center held a festival there today, complete with ice cream, music, historical talks, a scavenger hunt, tug-of-war contests, and a variety of activities for both children and adults.
Enjoying an old-fashioned tug of war.
Teacher's desk, ready for class.
I learned a lot more about the building, from its construction in 1827 and early use, to its closing as a school in 1941 and its renovation by a group of bankers in 1955, when it was turned over to the DeWitt Historical Society, now the History Center. It predates the Octagon Houses of the 1850s and 1860s, and its brick construction has held up well, though major renovations and restoration are on the way.
If you'd like to see more, I've posted a gallery of pictures.
Posted by simon at August 27, 2005 3:26 PM in historyNote on photos