Shingles cascade down from the roof of the Clarkson Historical Society building on West Ridge Road in Clarkson. The re-roofing job on the old schoolhouse by the Repair-N-Remodel Company is only part of the remodeling being done to this 101-year-old building. Originally a school that discontinued operations in 1956, it was used by the Clarkson Community Church (situated next door) for several years and then converted to storage purposes. The Clarkson Historical Society took over on April 2, 2003 and has a 100 year lease on the building. The group plans to re-create an authentic old classroom on the first floor and use the second floor for displays. It will take from one to two years to complete the project, depending on grants and donations. Photograph by Walter Horylev.

Don Lage, manager of the Clarkson Historical Society's restoration of the Clarkson Schoolhouse, and Kermit Mercer remove some of the floor tiles in what will be the first floor classroom area. Much volunteer effort and many donations are helping this work proceed. Repair-N-Remodel is providing free labor, ABC Supply is providing the new roofing at their cost, Owens-Corning is giving the project $250 of credit, Suburban Disposal is deducting $100 off refuse hauling, 84 Lumber is providing the plywood at their cost and Chase-Pitkin gave the group a $100 gift card. Photograph by Walter Horylev.

Clarkson Schoolhouse receiving a face-lift

Members of the Clarkson Historical Society and former graduates of the Clarkson Schoolhouse/High School gathered recently to see the roof being replaced on the historic building.

"We've been working on restoring the house since 1997," Clarkson Historical Society President Mary Edwards said. "Once we received a 99-year lease (necessary to apply for grant funding) from the church, we were able to begin raising money for the renovations."

In 1835, there was a wooden schoolhouse that shared the church property, and was located in front of the church. It was called The Clarkson Academy, and, according to Edwards, it offered high school advanced study similar to a junior college. "Our school was built in 1853 because the first school burned down," Edwards said. "What's interesting about our schoolhouse is that it is a two story brick schoolhouse constructed in pre-Civil War style in a Greek Revival fashion."

The first floors were used to teach first through third grades and the second floor was utilized for fourth through sixth grades. "The schoolhouse was used to educate Clarkson children for approximately 100 years," Edwards said. "It was last used as a schoolhouse in 1956."

Until the recent renovations, the building had been untouched and vacant for about 50 years. Recently re-roofed, the structure now has steel beams installed to support the bell tower. As part of Phase 2, another steel beam will be installed on the first floor because it is warped and needs to be stabilized, Edwards said. Following that, a load bearing partition will be put in to support the second floor. Chimney and window repairs will be next on the agenda.

Phase 3 involves plumbing, electric and heating system upgrades and replacement. Interior and exterior painting and re-flooring will also be completed. "It's so exciting seeing this all come together," Edwards said.

"A building of this style is a rare example in Monroe County and as such it should be preserved," Edwards said. "The schoolhouse was going to wreck and ruin … water was getting in … it would have been a matter of time before the roof caved in and the building and its history would have been forever lost."

Edwards said the ultimate goal of the renovation is to have the schoolhouse as a meeting place for the Clarkson Historical Society. "We want to use it also as a museum to display artifacts and the Brockport Central School district would like to send the fourth graders over for a day to experience what it was like to have been educated in a historic schoolhouse."

The historical society received two grants of $14,000 each from the state which were arranged for by Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt and Senator George Maziarz's offices.

Donations are being sought for the Clarkson Historical Society Schoolhouse Fund and can be sent to P.O. Box 600, Clarkson, NY 14430. The society is planning a chicken barbecue in June and they will also be hosting a garage sale and quilt sale during Clarkson's Good Neighbor Day celebrations. Edwards said that a historic quilt was recently raffled off and that Pam Mercer was the winner.

"We also welcome any new members to our meetings," Edwards said. The Historical Society meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. in the Clarkson Justice Court.