STERLING — The historic River District School is looking better than ever thanks to some recent updates.
The stately white building at 288 Princeton Road is one of only a handful of one-room schoolhouses still standing in Massachusetts. Also known as the West Sterling School, it has been preserved in much the same condition as it was in the late 19th century thanks to the Sterling Historical Commission.
SHC member and longtime town resident Jim French shared that the renovation project at the schoolhouse “to facilitate an adaptive reuse includes the restoration of the front portico entryway, which was just completed by Sterling contractor Dave Gagnon.”
“Mr. Gagnon’s experience working with historical buildings proved invaluable, and the result is most pleasing and true to the original design,” French said. “Additionally, the SHC is exploring a collaboration with the Sterling Land Trust with hopes of establishing a home base for this nonprofit that is in a position to use and support the historical building while preserving its original elements and providing opportunities to keep the place open and accessible to all town residents.”
French reported that the schoolhouse was built in 1886 and served that purpose until the 11 district schoolhouses were closed when all students in town began attending the new Butterick school in 1934.
“The River District building is the sole town-owned survivor of the original one-room schoolhouses,” he said. “All the others have either burned, been razed, or been converted to private dwellings; of note, one was purchased by Henry Ford and moved to the Wayside Inn in Sudbury because of its historical place in the Mary’s (Little) Lamb story.”
The schoolhouse was used by the West Sterling Community Club from 1934 to 1999.
“Thanks to their 67-year stewardship,” French said, “the building was kept in its original condition, giving us the opportunity to experience the look and feel of the iconic New England one room school.”
The disbanding of that club left the schoolhouse “mostly idle” for the last 24 years, save for the Sterling Historical Society curator and SHC member David Gibbs hosting a once-a-year opening of the school for town 4th graders “to experience a day of classes there,” French said.
He said the SHC was thrilled that the recent town meeting referendum vote on whether residents wanted to keep or dispose of the schoolhouse “was overwhelming in favor of keeping it.”
“We will do our very best to honor that sentiment,” French promised.
Fellow SHC member Lindsey Van Gieson has been heavily involved with the updates project. She took and posted photos of the new portico, railings, and working porch light on the Sterling MA Community Page on Facebook and helped to coordinate Gagnon’s work, among other things.
Several SHC members including Van Gieson recently decorated the schoolhouse for Christmas, and it is looking festive with wreaths, swags, lights, and more. Van Gieson said they welcome any ideas and collaborations on anything schoolhouse-related, and that people can message her on Facebook or email sterlingmahistory@gmail.com if they have something to contribute.
When asked why it is important to her and the commission to preserve old buildings in town such as the schoolhouse, the town resident and mom of two said it comes from a personal place.
“I’ve been so happy to see the enthusiasm that our town and residents have had in helping the Sterling Historical Commission advocate for and preserve special historic buildings like this one,” Van Gieson said. “Being able to experience history in person has been such an important part of my life, and I look forward to future plans of opening the building for adaptive reuse so more people can have the opportunity to experience it.”
