This
austere building was the home of learning for almost 80 years in the Town of Niagara for
local children. While there is considerable interest in the new Niagara Falls High School scheduled to open in September, there is substantial interest in the old Niagara School No. 2 at 9670 Lockport Road --- the home of the Town of Niagara Historical Society Museum. Volunteers have taken on the job of restoring this school, built in 1878 and in use for instruction until 1957 when it was closed with the consolidation of the Niagara Wheatfield School District.
This
austere building was the home of learning for almost 80 years in the Town of Niagara for
local children.
After closure in 1957 it remained vacant for many years before being purchased by the Town of Niagara Historical Society in 1980.
The Society, founded in 1977 received its charter from the New York State Education Department in 1978. The school house has been undergoing renovation since that time and has been open for should house programs since 1984. It is located off Lockport Road at the corner of Tuscarora Road, not far north of the border of the Niagara Falls Air Force Base.
The Society is currently making a drive for additional members and volunteers to work on the restoration project. Outside painting is presently going on with some help from the Niagara County work release program participants along with Society volunteers.
Inside the historic hall of learning is a forum for history lessons for today's students. Many students from area schools enjoy tours of the school and a history class taught in the original classroom. In the picture below, Nicholas Shemik, age 11 (left) and Christopher Shemik, 7, assume the student positions for the benefit of the Lockport Page photographer. Both are from Grand Island and are the youngest members of the Town of Niagara Historical Society.
Visiting the classroom is, for many over age 50, a trip down memory lane. The apple for the teacher is on the front desk. There's a dunce cap --- the device used most effectively for "under-achievers" before psycho-blabber warned us about harming a child's "self esteem." The American Flag is up front in the room, the lavoratory is a separate building outside (still on the grounds today), and on the desks are the old fashioned ink wells and scratchy ink pens.
Among the
items in the old school house are...old, original school books such as those pictured at
left.
Many of these books tell of history quite different that the politically correct accounts that have overtaken most of the texts being distributed in schools today. It is a revelation to go back and read about the 19th century and before without the revisionism which is the vogue today in education. The books are here and the public is welcome to visit.
Volunteers try to have the old school house open for the public on Sundays, 2 to 5 PM, June through September.
Other times, the school house is open for special tours and for teachers to use as a field trip and teaching site.
Everywhere one looks in the building is another lesson in history. For example, along one wall is the old original chalk board with pictures of national figures on display.
One of the Historical Society volunteers, Barbara Naradowski, a high school English teacher, tells us the old school - museum is an ideal venue for instruction of 4th graders and fits in with new Regents standards. Two other volunteers, Ralph and Joanne Shemik, comment on the work involved in the outside painting and building restoration. The needs: more volunteers to do a variety of tasks, and money for roof repairs.
The brief time line on the black board, pictured below, tells the story of the school and the site. Note the lighting arrangement.
This was the
classic "one-room school house" but it actually had a few closets and storage
areas plus the non-attached outside "water closet" shown in one of the pictorial
displays in the school room. The W.C. is shown in the middle picture to the left,
and a teacher is along side a boy to...well...monitor his performance?
The storyboard title tells a true tale: "Life At Country School Was Challenging!"
Memberships in the Town of Niagara Historical Society are solicited at $15 per individual per year and include a number of benefits. Corporate sponsorships are also sought as well as volunteers to help in the resoration process.
For further information write to:
The Town of Niagara Historical Society
7105 Lockport Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
or telephone 297-8111
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