In rural Vermont towns the one-room school house was a necessity. With small multi-age populations, a lack of transportation and a need for students to return home by mid afternoon for farm chores, often towns built one to over a half-dozen schoolhouses across their terrain.
One after another these one room schoolhouses were torn down, fell into disrepair and demolished or just collapsed under the weight of time and Vermont’s harsh weather. Some of the schoolhouses fell into private hands and became homes or sheds, most anonymously disintegrated, crumbled and rotted away.
A few of these precious pieces of our history survive to this day. Some schoolhouses have been restored to their original classrooms so today’s students can imagine what school was like over a hundred years ago.
The St. George Little Red Schoolhouse was constructed in March of 1852 on a quarter acre of land just north of the village, built as a replacement to a rough log school that burned down. Daily classes were held for 113 years for generations of Pillsburys, Ishams, Ayers, Lockwoods, Tilleys and many other early St. George families. The last class was held in 1965.
The Little Red Schoolhouse is at that critical point of either being lost or saved. Even though the building is in disrepair its framing and flooring are sound and its soul is strong.
Help Save our Schoolhouse.
Schoolhouse Update - March 25, 2013
With the schoolhouse at its new home, we are currently working with the Vermont Board of Health, The Department of Public Safety, Clay Point Associates of Williston and Engineering Ventures of Burlington to ensure the structure is safe and ready for further renovations.
Our dedicated board members, along with the integral help of St. George resident Wayne Ring, are setting a plan in place to rebuild the side structures that once adorned the original building. These plans will focus on energy efficiency, handicap accessibility and space utilization as well as many other considerations. The renovations to the existing building will incorporate all of these needs while primarily focusing on historical preservation.
We are currently researching all options to best accomplish our goal and will continue to team up with the local community for your support. Any interest in aiding our project would be greatly appreciated!!
Many thanks to all who have supported us thus far!