Little Red Arises

Back from the Brink in Boxford, Massachusetts
​The Palmer School, also known as the District No. 2 Schoolhouse, is a historic 19th-century one-room schoolhouse is in recovery!  Knowing that it takes a village, schoolhouse enthusiast Laurie Rowen saw beyond the sad little relic and envisioned a community project to resurrect a once proud "Citadel of Learning." That project has been underway since right before COVID hit.
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The schoolhouse in Boxford, Massachusetts is a single-story wood frame structure with a gabled roof. District #2 has very minimal Greek Revival styling reflective of its construction date in 1845. It was used until 1967 as a schoolhouse. Since then it had been left to the elements and cried out for restoration.  CSAA member, Laurie Rowen, was determined to save the school for the children of Boxford where they would learn about the early history from 1845 - 1931.

Like most of us restoring or maintaining country schools, she was perplexed as to where to begin, but that did not deter her. Laurie and friends created the Friends of the Boxford Little Red Schoolhouse and they dove right in to the long commitment ahead to save District #2. They did their homework contacting town officials and locals who could volunteer their expertise and their elbow grease to make a dream come true. Laurie explains:

When I retired from teaching, a committee of like-minded individuals was formed and we have been making progress!! We were so fortunate to have the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School agree to accept the little red schoolhouse as one of its Community Projects. Through their Construction Academy, the restoration of the Palmer Schoolhouse provided the students with authentic work experiences. Under the supervision of a teacher/licensed tradesperson, they have performed the carpentry, electrical, masonry and demolition work required to restore the building with the town providing the materials.

Humbly, the FBLRS gives much credit to others and downplays their hours of dreaming, planning, contacting, coordinating, fund-raising, grant writing, and searching for artifacts!  That IS the story of preservationists across the country. The proof is in the unveiling, the day the dreamers invite the community for the grand re-opening of a historic schoolhouse, sharing the history of our first public schools.

You can witness the progress to date and visit the FBLRS website to learn how the Town of Boxford, Massachusetts voted unanimously to allocate funds for a design of the restoration. From there the support grew and the results are astounding! The photos help tell the story....a story of collaboration and support. There is nothing more contagious than enthusiasm!

​CSAA lauds the efforts of Boxford, Massachusetts and the Friends of the Boxford Little Red Schoolhouse!
Click on the pictures to enlarge...

Friends of the Boxford Little Red Schoolhouse