Historical Society Offered One Room Schoolhouse

The Oxford Historical Society is thrilled to announce the town's Community Support Committee has recommended that the Selectmen approve funding for the project proposed by the Oxford Historical Society at their Dec. 10, 2018 meeting at Oxford Town Hall. The proposal awaits final approval by the Board of Selectmen.

Under the plan, the town will use up to $18,500 for a structural mover to transport the Munn Schoolhouse from its current site on Route 67 to the OHS campus at 60 Towner Lane. The owner of the schoolhouse, Dan Sears, offered the schoolhouse to the Society but they have to take it away.

This will be a multi-stage and more than year-long project as the building has to be carried down Route 67 and under more than 25 overhead wires.

The above 2008 photo by Cathy Helm, shows Mrs. Ruth Willard, then-owner of the schoolhouse. The building is now in need of repairs and the Oxford Historical Society seeking grants and donations to cover some of the costs of moving and preservation.

Mr. Munn's Schoolhouse was opened after his marriage to Louisa Beardsley, whose father owned the house at 561 Oxford Road. After the marriage, Beardsley expanded his house in order to board students while they attended the private facility.

This is an encore performance for the Oxford Historical Society as the museum at 60 Towner Lane was moved from Christian Street back in 2006 in order to save the 200 year old house from demolition. After years of work, the Twitchell Rowland Homestead opened to the public in 2012. It is open to the public for various events and for regularly scheduled Open House Sundays each month.

As with the preservation of the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead, the Society will look to the support and help of local contractors to help with the necessary excavation at the Homestead and for construction of the basement/foundation for the relocated schoolhouse. The Society also seeks a local tree service willing to help by removing a large tree near the schoolhouse which should be removed for the school's safety and ease of access during the move. Suggestions may be made by calling Dorothy DeBisschop, 203-910-4574, or by email to dottie@oxford-historical-society.org.

Donations may be made by check mailed to Oxford Historical Society, PO Box 582, Oxford, CT, or online at http://www.oxford-historical-s... or by following the Society's Facebook page, @OxfordHistorical.