Landmark School Status for Perkins Hollow, NY
Congratulations are in order for Perkins Hollow Schoolhouse of the Washington County Fair Farm Museum! The Greenwich, NY schoolhouse was rededicated recently as a CSAA Landmark Schoolhouse and entered into the CSAA National Schoolhouse Registry. Education Director Joan Prouty and her husband Dale presided over the ceremonies and the enveiling of the CSAA Registry plaque, now displayed at the schoolhouse. The Proutys, both CSAA charter members, administer the schoolhouse collections, interviews, and memorabilia, and shared the information below.
"The white clapboard one-room schoolhouse stood atop a hill in Perkins Hollow In Salem, NY for over a century. Built during the 1850's it was where the Beatty family and neighbors were educated until it closed in 1910. By 1977 it was well-weathered on the outside and overgrown with brush when the Beaty family donated the building and contents, along with the woodshed-outhouse building to the Washington County Fair for the newly formed museum.
Amazingly, the four shuttered windows, two on each side of the building, still held their original glass. The wide wood board and plaster walls were still intact as were the nine woodedn desks made by the original carpenter. Placed in three rows of three desks each, the desks are double and accomodate eighteen scholars. The seat for the desk backs is one long board across the width of the room! The recitation bench on the wall at right angles to the desks is a long seat where pupils sat to recite their lessons. The blackboard, simply boards painted black, still hangs on the front wall.
The furnishings of the room were the teacher's desk and chair, another chair for company, and two charts as teaching aids. There was a low bench which could be used as an extra seat or pulled up to the stove on cold mornings. A water pail and a long-handled dipper stood at one end of the recitation bench.
Care was taken to preserve the schoolhouse and outbuildings in their original condition to offer visitors an opportunity to step back in time. Each year multiple generations visit the schoolhouse and interact with stories of when they went to school."
Note: Through its National Schoolhouse Registry program, The CSAA recognizes school buildings that contribute to the appreciation and understanding of the country school experience and their unique architectural heritage. Markers are awarded to buildings that are at least 50 years old, have been preserved, restored, renovated, or reconstructed to retain the integrity of their original design, and are well-maintained. See the CSAA website for applications.
Perkins Hollow Timeline
1853- First students taught here.
1910- School closed and left untouched.
1977- Schoolhouse donated and moved to Washington County Fairgrounds.
1974- Received Washington County Historic Preservation Award.
2010- Recognized as CSAA Landmark Schoolhouse and listed on CSAA National Schoolhouse Registry
2011- May 7th Dedication Ceremony
Thanks to all the people who have helped in the schoolhouse and museum preservation effort over the years!
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