Thursday, May 16, 2024
Reed School to Reopen to Guests on May 25
Journey back to a 19th-century school and discover what learning was like before laptops!
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NEILLSVILLE, Wis. – Go back to school - 19th_century style - when historic Reed School opens for the season on May 25. Originally built in 1878 and rebuilt in 1915, the one-room school, with its classic wooden desks, blackboard lined walls and rooftop school bell, depicts what learning was like prior to modern technology.
Nestled in Neillsville’s beautiful rural landscape, where students would often walk miles to school, the Reed School Historical Site reflects the life of students in the early 1900s. A single teacher generally taught multiple grade levels simultaneously in this one-room, brick schoolhouse that offered neither electricity nor running water. Guests can explore the various displays that showcase historic school supplies including classroom books, notebooks, sheet music and other memorabilia from the era. Through visual screens and audio aids, former students share their stories and experiences while attending Reed School.
Located in Wisconsin’s Clark County, Reed School is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 27. Admission is free thanks to the support of the Smith Endowment. Tickets are not required. For further information, visit reedschool.wisconsinhistory.org or click here.
About Reed School
Reed School is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Located in Neillsville, it was originally named Pleasant Ridge and was the first school in the area. In 1878, the building was moved to land donated by Thomas and Lucretia Reed but later burned down in February of 1915. Construction of the existing Reed School was authorized that same year and today tells the story of one-room schoolhouses that once punctuated Wisconsin’s landscape. For more information visit reedschool.org or call (608) 253-3523. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.
About the Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, receives grants and private contributions benefitting the Wisconsin Historical Society and administers the membership program. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.
