Celebration thanks Clarkson Schoolhouse repair helpers

As renovations continue at the Clarkson Schoolhouse, Historian Mary Edwards and other members of the historical society are planning a thank you celebration to honor schoolchildren from Brockport's middle school who sold calendars as a fundraiser for the schoolhouse.

The children, Edwards said, researched historical sites in the Brockport area and put together a "very professional calendar." Proceeds from a portion of the sales of the $5 calendars will be coming to the schoolhouse.

Edwards said members of the historical society are considering using the funds to purchase copies of prints of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that were traditionally hung in schoolhouses.

"We're planing a celebration to thank the children for their generosity," Edwards said.

Renovations on the school house were begun in earnest in April 2003. The most recent renovations that were undertaken were the replacement of the roof and the straightening of the bell tower. "The first floor has been all re-supported and a weight bearing partition has been installed," Edwards said. "There are also new storm windows. The roof is on, bell tower has been straightened, first floor has all be re-supported, a weight bearing partition has been installed and there is also a new floor on the first floor."

The schoolhouse shares a "long geographic history," with the Clarkson Community Church, Edwards said. She explained that 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. 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. "It was last used as a schoolhouse in 1956."
Until the recent renovations, the building had been untouched and vacant for about 50 years. The ultimate goal of the renovation is to utilize the schoolhouse as a meeting place for the Clarkson Historical Society. It will also be used as a museum to display artifacts and also as a place for the Brockport Central School district to send its fourth graders for a day to experience what it was like to have been educated in a historic schoolhouse.

The children from the middle school will be at the Clarkson schoolhouse celebration on Friday, June 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Edwards said the public is invited and it's hoped that Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt will be on hand as well.

"We've also invited the three artists who have painted pictures of the school house, the Hill School jazz band and the Hilltop singers will perform at the celebration," she said.