Mt. Kisco Dedicates School House, Remembers Historian

Mount Kisco's historic Kirbyville School House got a moment in the spotlight Sunday with its dedication, a chance to highlight a restoration effort that is years in the making.

The school house's roots in Mount Kisco go far back. It was built in 1852, near what is now the intersection of Routes 117 and 128, according to Mount Kisco Historical Society President Eva Marshall, and placed in its location at the behest of the Kirby family.

The building is even older than the village, which did not form until 1875. Prior to that, the school's location was called Kirbyville, a hamlet that was part of New Castle. Mount Kisco, once part of both New Castle and Bedford, split in 1978 to become a coterminus town/village.

Eventually, the building's academic function ceased - its purpose was taken up by another building - and it was moved to its current spot, 49 Moore Ave., in 1900, according to Marshall. Previous owners included the Town of New Castle and then Mount Kisco. Uses during the 20th century included a polling place, a stop for paying taxes and finally as a food pantry.

The Mount Kisco Historical Society purchased the building from the village in 1999 for just $1, according to Marshall. Since then, it has worked to restore the structure to its original form. New furnishings were only added in recent years, Marshall told reporters, with desks being acquired from multiple states.

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“The Mount Kisco Historical Society is one of the most important committees we have in Mount Kisco," Deputy Mayor George Griffin told a crowd of attendees.

The day also served as a tribute to Jane Stewart, who served as village historian from 1998 until her death in 2010. Stewart was also president of the historical society, according to Marshall, who took over for her.

Dedicated in Stewart's honor were a simple plaque in the school house's front yard, along with a young maple tree.

“Her memory lives on in the pages and pictures of days gone by," Griffin said. "We will forever be grateful to her.”

“Jane found a way to serve after her retirement," said Bill Stewart, Jane's brother, who is on the village's landmarks and historical preservation committee. He noted that his sister "worked diligently" to raise funds for the school's restoration.

According to Bill Stewart, the restoration has included adding new insulation and windows, a redone flooor, painting and new lighting. Jobs to be done includes work on the deck, painting the exterior and fixing up the driveway.

The interior has been restored to evoke its 19th-century era, with vintage school desks, an early telephone and old books, among other features. The room included decorative sconces and a seat for where a "bad" student would sit with a dunce cap.

The Kirbyville dedication is the second major celebration of old school buildings in Mount Kisco. Last month, the village and the Bedford Central School District of the (MKES) building. For a timeline of all school houses in Mount Kisco, click here for a project done to commemorate MKES.

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