Sakonnet Farm will hold an Open House to celebrate the completed renovation of Tiverton’s District No. 1 Schoolhouse located in Tiverton Four Corners. The event will be held at 4050 Main Rd on Tuesday May 24th, 2011 between 5pm and 8pm. The building was built in the early 1800’s by the Manchester family and purchased by the Town of Tiverton in 1854 for $100.
The Old Tiverton Four Corners Schoolhouse No. 1 was one of twelve schoolhouses used to educate the town’s children until 1925 when the consolidation to the new Nonquit school occurred. Most of the earlier one room school houses around the country began to close around this time period due to motorized bus transportation.
In 1928 the Town of Tiverton auctioned off Schoolhouse No.1 for $180, and it was subsequently converted into a single family residence.
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Kristin and Adam Silveira purchased the property in April of this year in a partially renovated condition and became interested with its historical relevance. After locating a picture of the schoolhouse in a book titled “A Patchwork History of Tiverton,” they decided to rebuild the front facade and belfry, reconfiguring the front of the building to replicate the picture. In addition, they have contacted the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission to begin obtaining advice on the building’s preservation. A vintage 100 year old bell was located and raised last October. The interior renovations have been completed using period decorations, many of which once hung in other one-room schoolhouses across the country.
The event is open to the public. Limited parking is available at the site; however, parking is available at many of the Tiverton Four Corners shops. Refreshments will be served. For further information: call 401-624-4004
