Dayton Historical
        Society

Franklin Schoolhouse Restoration

Franklin Schoolhouse

Franklin Schoolhouse, Corner of Murch and Buzzell Road
Dayton, Maine

Members of the Dayton Historical Society are currently raising money to preserve and restore the Franklin School, which is one of four one-room school houses that previously existed in town. Once restored, the schoolhouse will serve as a meeting place for the Historical Society, and may possibly be used to teach local history to Dayton schoolchildren.

The Historical Society is looking for old photos, stories, and information on any of the one-room schoolhouses. If you have anything to share, please call Andy or Valerie Cole at 499-8224, or contact them through e-mail.

Franklin School Site Walk Notes - April 24, 2001

  1. Foundation: Some stones leaning or tipped out, building is lower on one side than the other.
  2. Flagpole: Crooked - straighten or take down?
  3. Grounds: Less than VA acre, needs to be raked, mowed, some trimming needed
  4. Roof: Needs to be re-shingled
  5. Doors: Mismatched - was there originally glass over both doors? One is boarded up and currently unusable.
  6. Windows: Can broken panes be replaced or do we need to replace the whole window? Measurements are 30.5" w X 29", and panes are 6 over 6.
  7. Floor: Seems to be in good condition in main part of the schoolhouse, but not level due to foundation. Needs to be repaired/replaced in furnace area.
  8. Walls: Some cracks and gaps. Restore back wall to original 2 doors and 2 windows?
  9. Wiring: Perhaps done last in 1948? Should be rewired to conform to current code.
  10. Chimney: Should old chimney be reconnected? Is that allowable under current building codes?
  11. Ceiling: Tiles are stained and buckled
  12. Woodwork: Not much inside, molding on outside
  13. Paint: Repaint or replace clapboards? Was it originally yellow? Has the trim changed?
  14. Furnishings: Desks, safe, tables, benches, old stove. Where can we find old desks?
  15. Kitchen: Should we take it off to keep the building more authentic, or repair it so that we have a useable kitchen?
  16. Other: Heat - possibility of a donated Monitor heater. Disconnected wood stove in back corner and burner between bathrooms. Bathrooms are not weatherproof - should we consider something such as a compost toilet?
  17. How authentic do we want to be? As much as possible!

© 2008 Dayton Historical Society