May 20, 2024
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Learn about the charm of rural Manhattan schoolhouses

Manhattan Township Historical Society Museum has exhibit on the one-room buildings

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

Geuther School was opened in 1870 and was renamed in 1902 as District 111. It was located on Pauling Road at the intersection with Schoolhouse Road. It consolidated with District 116 in 1947, and the building was sold to Virgil Barten. The building was moved to the Barten Farm on the corner of Manhattan-Monee and Cedar. Currently it is Crosswind Farm. (Photo provided)

Geuther School, which sits at the corner of Manhattan-Monee and Cedar Roads, originally was at Pauling Road at the intersection with Schoolhouse Road when it opened in 1870.

Information about this school and other rural one-room schoolhouses in the Manhattan area is part of an exhibit hosted by the Manhattan Township Historical Society Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 30 at 245 S. State St. in Manhattan.

The exhibit covers schools during the period of 1852 to 1951, according to a news release from the museum.

Exhibit hosts hope visitors will be able to learn about the experience of going to a school where all eight grades were in one room, with all the students being taught be one teacher. Visitors will have the chance to see the “dunce corner” as well as chalk, pencils, slide rules and Dick and Jane books from that time period, according to the release.

The museum also has exhibits on 130 years of local history and the importance of railroads to the Manhattan area, along with two rooms dedicated completely to veterans. Museum staff said in the release that the building at 255 S. State St. in Manhattan also has been redecorated and brightened.

For information, email ManhattanHistorical@yahoo.com or visit Facebook.com/ManhattanHistoricalSociety.