The last one-room schoolhouse in Buxton recently opened its door to students once again.

Last week, the third grade classes from the Jack Memorial School in Buxton were the first students to visit the school in 64 years. The school last held regular classes in 1942.

In a joint effort of the Buxton/Hollis Historical Society, SAD 6, Anthony Taylor and the Narragansett Foundation, the Chicopee one-room schoolhouse was moved to its new home at Buxton Center near the Frank Jewett/Hanson Elementary Schools. The society plans to have historic programs that involve Buxton students and adults besides people from surrounding communities.

The third grade students were greeted by Louis Emery of the Buxton/Hollis Historical Society and third grade teacher Doris Hicks acted as the one-room schoolteacher.

The Jack Memorial students learned that the first schools in Buxton were started in 1799. They were the North and South Grammar schools and the schools taught Greek, Latin and English.

During the mid 1800’s, there were as many as 17 one-room schools in Buxton. The newly renovated Chicopee School the students visited was later named the N.C. Watson School after a family who donated $50 to the school. The school cost $735 to build.

The students asked why there were “holes” in the desks and learned about inkwells. They were also fascinated by the grooves in the desk, which held students’ pencils.

Cutline (1404 class) Cutline (1410 teach & students) – Jack Memorial third grade student Emily Mahony signs the guest registry with teacher Doris Hicks at the former Chicopee School, now restored and located in Buxton Center.

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