NEWBURY – The State’s Department Conservatoin and Recreation – the ones known for maintaing parks, scenic walkways, and forests, is providing $20,000 to replace the Newbury Historic Schoolhouse located on the Lower Green.
The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1877 to replace an older, smaller school building. For the next 33 years, the building was used intermittently to host school students, before it was repurposed as an equipment storage facility for the Town’s highway department.
In 1974, Newbury residents rallied to preserve and restore the schoolhouse, gathering $19,000 between state and local authorities to update the building while restoring it to its original appearance.
Since 2012, the building has become a hallmark of educational history in the Town, holding relics from old school days donated by townspeople and a small library of research materials related to Newbury’s 375+ year history. The building is currently open to the public from 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
The town has contracted JJS Universal Construction Company in Dudley to update the 1,200-square-foot roof using synthetic cedar shake roofing that is made to withstand high wind speeds, fires, and harsh impact. The roofing is also made of recycled materials and is fully sustainable, making the material both environmentally friendly and durable.
The town has also set aside $14,000 from American Rescue Act funding to repair the building’s windows.
“We are fortunate to receive this funding to preserve this wonderful piece of history that serves as an educational resource for our town,” said Blais. “On behalf of the entire Newbury community, we thank the State Department of Conservation and Recreation for this opportunity.” ♦
