Plans for Marbletown school house

The Marbletown School House, quiet and calm on the corner of Miller and Marbletown Roads, will be gently prodded back to life this spring, as the Newark/Arcadia Historical Society implements their plans for 2005.

The primary aim for the building is that it be a resource center for all rural schools that were in the Arcadia area, as well as for one-room schools in general.

The building has room to store records, photographs, and pertinent information regarding all 19 of the rural schools that were in existence in Arcadia until the 1950's, when school centralization took place.

During 2004, the Kelley Elementary School on West Miller Street adopted the Marbletown One Room School House as their project, and are actively working to develop at curriculum for their visits to the school.

Since the last class at Marbletown School was in 1947, the building will be furnished in that time period, reflecting class materials, clothing, pictures, etc. of the 1940's era.

If anyone in the community has items to donate toward this 'look,' such as children's outerwear of that period, a barrister bookcase to house school books, Bloomer Bros. calendar (1947 or older), please contact the historical society at 331.6409. Volunteers are also sought for Saturday afternoons in the summer, when the Schoolhouse will be open from 1 to 3 mid-June through mid-September.

The second aim of the Marbletown Schoolhouse committee is to make the schoolhouse a source of pride for the community.

Volunteers will be working on the grounds around the building, trimming trees, landscaping, planting flower beds, etc.

Said John Zornow, 'We envision a rustic bench for passing cyclists and walkers, welcome flag flying when we are open, and a general ambiance of history and community coming together... in one small brick building, built in 1876 to serve a thriving populace, and still doing the same today.'

The Marbletown School House Committee includes Judith Harrington, Karen Vanderbrook, Rich Holdridge, Thomas Chappell, and John Zornow.

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