Schoolhouse Restoration Project

Schoolhouse Restoration Project:
This project started almost as soon as the Historical Society was started. Via a generous donation from Doug Hurst to the organization. The schoolhouse is believed to be one of the last original wood frame schoolhouses left in the Township.
Built in the 1840s and called District 3 Schoolhouse, the building served as a one room school until later in the 19??s a brick schoolhouse located almost across the road replaced it. The brick schoolhouse and many others like it in the Township still exist today as private residences.
Purpose:
We feel it is important to preserve and protect this vital piece of our history. The saying, " they don't make them like they use to" really does work in this case. Our plan for the building is to restore it to original condition using like kind materials when possible. Then we will use it as a repository of records for the Township, small meeting site and as a Crown Jewel of the Townships many Landmarks.

Work Complete Thus Far:

In the Fall of 2009 work was done to remove brush from around the schoolhouse. Also in the fall work was done to winterize the schoolhouse by covering up the areas where the siding was bad with plywood and covering the broken windows with plexi glass.
Schoolhouse moved February 17, 2014 to temporary location on Pittsfield Township Hall campus.

We are happy to report that with hard work, dedication and good old fashion co-operation a historic day has taken place in Pittsfield. The schoolhouse has taken a trip from one end of the township to our center. We would like to give a special thanks to Doug Hurst, the community of Pittsfield, our members, LMRE People Fund, Shawn Godwin, Klier Structural Movers, our many donors / supporters and especially the board of directors past and present (Ralph Hayes, Jim Sheffield, Bert Latran Jr., Lynn Youngblood, Jeff Sigsworth, Daniel Clark, Bryce Brown, Karl Broud, Joe Woodward, Kate Clark & Dianne Hinkle).
Without everyone's help we would have never made it this far. Thank you!!

Work In Progress:
Currently the Building and Facilities Committee is hard at work coming up with a work schedule plan to begin in the Spring of this year. Also the committee is in the process of drafting a purposal to the Township Trustees for location and possible funding support for the project (we plan to relocate the Schoolhouse to the Township Front Park area near Town Hall). In addition to the work the committee is up to we have retained a historian who specializes in restoring old buildings to help advise us every step of the way and also to work on the maticulas task of catologing ever aspect of the building. Also, our Fundraising Committee is in the process of developing some exciting Fundraisers to help raise the necesary capital to complete this project.
June 2014, foundation made more securewith the ground area around schoolhouse backfilled. Thanks Jim and Burt.
July 2014, Crew working on flooring restoration. Thanks Ralph, Pauline and Jenn. Windows will be comming soon!
Sept 2014. The schoolhouse is viewed by visitors at the
2nd Annual Antiques and Primitives show. Shawn Godwin was busy all day with visitors giving History and Restoration presentations.

The PTHS restoration crew posed for a quick photo Sept. 26, 2009

The Schoolhouse almost ready for the move Feb. 17, 2014

The schoolhouse in route to it's new home at Pittsfield Center, 17th February 2014

Temporary resting place at the Township Square next to the Twp. Hall Bldg. District 3 Schoolhouse C. 1856-1846. Discussions regarding its final resting place are ongoing as of 5-1-2014, but will most likely be in the general vicinity of the Twp. Square

Work underway on the schoolhouse Fall 2009.

2nd Annual Antiques and Primitives Show 9-20-2014, Shawn Godwin. Historian and Schoolhouse Renovation Expert inside schoolhouse sharing schoolhouse history and means of renovation. Next photo, visitors take a break during the Antiques show.

Original Blackboard Inside Schoolhouse

Corner of the bottom of the staircase. Internal Cleaning has begun, Fall 2016.

Internal wall with original plaster falling off lathe. Cleaned the somewhat painted wood very carefully not to remove any of the original paint or patina. Fall 2016

Original stairs leading to second floor.

Floor work. The floor was dark black from aging and damage from farm use. Cleaned the back portion of floor and the forefront wood was replaced due to rot. Plan to stain the entire floor to match the remains of the original. Also can see the placement of the Blackboard and other wall/window space. The center area floor near support pole (original) is darkened due to the Wood/Coal burner stood in this area. Floor work cleaning Fall 2016

Second Floor. Yes, the floor is strong and sturdy. Some of our stuff stored.