Macomb School House Restored, Viewing Sunday
MACOMB - The community of Macomb will hold a unique back to school celebration on Sunday.
"Seven years ago the Macomb Historical Association (MHA) set in motion a plan to restore one of Macomb's original one-room school houses," said Ida R. Bresett, who along with several others led early restoration efforts on an early 1900s-era structure originally located on South Woods Road.
Following the donation of the school house to the MHA in 2004 (in memory of Harwood and Jean Bogardus), the structure was moved from its original location to the MHA grounds at Brassie Corners (intersection of state Highway 58 and county Route 8) and work was begun to restore it.
"The early restoration efforts were led by the late Jim Washburn and Kevin Bresett," Mrs. Bresett said, naming Eloise Emrich, Shirley Washburn, and others as having donated time to clean up and work on the inside of the building.
"They built the foundation and nailed up some clapboard. We were lucky, it was in pretty good shape."
According to Mrs. Bresett, the old schoolhouse was the only one like it left in Macomb not converted into a residence over the years.
"Its been setting empty since, I would say, the '(19)40s," she said, adding, "as a historical association, we thought it would be nice to have it."
The learning environment inside the schoolhouse is quite different from today's classrooms, Mrs. Bresett said.
"Many original pieces of the school house were intact including the blackboard and student desks. During this past year, the inside has been painted and the floor restored, as well as a touch up of paint on the outside. Several Macomb residents have been involved in the restoration process," she said.
The school will be as near as possible, Mrs. Bresett said, to what it once looked like, complete with the original school bell.
Mrs. Bresett said the school house is now ready for public viewing and the MHA is making Sunday a day of festivities, in light of Old Home Days being canceled this summer due to the economy.
"We'll honor Mr. Washburn and his widow with a plaque of recognition," she said.
A short ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a draft house demonstration at 2 p.m., according to Mrs. Bresett, who says The Alan Betrus and Friends Band will provide entertainment from 2:30 until 4 p.m. A quilt will be drawn at 4 p.m.
Tickets for the drawing can be purchased at the event.
The kitchen will be open at 11:30 a.m. with hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, drinks, ice cream sundaes and strawberry shortcake available.
"We think it's kind of great. It'll be a good time," Mrs. Bresett said.
Come celebrate back to school with the Macomb Historical Association.
