Clubhouse
Little White Schoolhouse comes of age
She has moved six times in 151 years. But now, she’s settled in the perfect spot, sitting in the shade of majestic trees, surrounded by lush landscaping. She has maintained her quaintness; but let’s be honest, she’s weary. And she certainly needed a facelift. (Who wouldn’t at 151?) She’s a bit drafty, but that hasn’t kept away the more than 3,000 people who visit her annually.
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The Ripon Early Birds Kiwanis club donated $10,000 toward the renovation of the Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin.
Photo credit: Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce
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She’s the Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin; the birthplace of the Republican Party; and a (US) National Historic Landmark. And she’d seen better days. But owing to a lot of generous donations—including US$10,000 from the Ripon Early Birds Kiwanis club—she got a grand overhaul.
During the restoration, little things slowed the progress, but overall, it’s been a successful project, says Kiwanian Peter Kasuboski, general contractor on the project.
The complete restoration, which cost about US$180,000, brings the schoolhouse to the 21st century with new heating and air conditioning units, new wiring, plaster, and windows. But despite the modern updates, the Little White Schoolhouse—which offers visitors a glimpse at Ripon’s history—will still look just as she did when the Republicans gathered there for the first time. |
