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The stone schoolhouse was purchased at public auction in the 1930s from the Goshen School District after the schools became centralized and the single school was no longer needed. The members of the Minisink Chapter at that time decided that the schoolhouse could not be lost, so at the bid of $750.00 the women won the auction and became the proud owners of the Stone Schoolhouse. That school has stood the test of time, built during the early 1700s and sitting silently by, watching the passing of events since the time of the Revolutionary War. It is rumored that General George Washington stopped at the schoolhouse on his way from New Windsor, New York, to Morristown, New Jersey, during the War. The school was in constant use by the children of the owners and workers at the Borden farm from the time it was built.
The design of the schoolhouse is unique, as most schools have the door at the end or short wall, but this one has the door in the middle of the front or long wall.
The school is open to the public the second Saturday of August each year for all to visit and see how the school experience was for the students in a one room school, where all classes and levels were taught at the same time, with each student working on his or her own level. On one recent opening, an ex-student picked out her seat and reminisced to all present. She told who the other students were, who the teacher was, and what feelings they had when they were told they would be going to the big school in Goshen - so very far from home. She said that one of the big boys had the job of cleaning and caring for the stove, keeping it stocked with wood, and going all winter long. All the students had to bring in some wood for the stove along with their lunch for the day. The only "facility" was the outhouse in the back. She remembered that although the teacher set the lesson plans, the students helped one another during the day.
The last few years have been devoted to relacing the deteriorating roof and floor because of age and water damage. We have had donations and volunteer work from many, many people. The local newspaper, "The Independent Republican," led the effort in the replacement and stabilization process and has kept the community updated with the progress. We are nearly at a point where the schoolhouse can be reopened for visits, appearing as it did many years ago. |
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