District 1 Old Center School

District 1 Old Center School
District 1 Old Center School

Picture taken after an Ice Storm

The Congregational Church laid out school districts in Burlington in 1779.
The one room school house in the center dates back to sometime in 1800.
The school was organized by a school committee who made up rules, taxes, and policies of their respective district. In the beginning, families paid a small tuition and supplied books.
There were usually two sessions that ran throughout the year. The winter session would begin around November and go about 4 months. This would usually end around planting season. The summer session would start in April, and last five months - ending in time for harvest.
In 1813, the teacher's salaries were between $6-$9 per week, and in 1910 the salaries rose to about $11-$15 per week.
The taxes were meant to maintain the school, which meant that each person had to pay between $.04-$1.75 a year.
In 1909 the town took over the administration of the schools, from the district and hired a superintendent.
In 1924 electricity was introduced into the building.
Soon after an art and music program was added as well.
In 1948 low enrollment and transportation improvements compelled the town to consolidate the school into a new six classroom building.
The little red school house was vacant for awhile. The Burlington Public Library moved in until they could build their own building in 1969
The Bicentennial Commission ran a country store there for a time in 1976.
After this point the building remained vacant, until 1988 when renovations were completed to preserve this Old School House.
Since then the building has been used for Tavern Day activities once a year in September and for occasional scout meetings.
In 1999, the windows were glazed, door thresholds replaced, door handles installed and exterior painted as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Pictures/information courtesy of historical collection in The Burlington Room, Burlington Public Library. Rich Miller 9/99.
OLD CENTER SCHOOL -- DISTRICT 1
Old Center School of District 1, located on George Washington Turnpike near the Route 4 intersection, was one of nine school districts set up to serve the rural areas of Burlington. It is estimated to be approximately 100 years old.
During the summer of 1999, Richard Miller, Jr. volunteered to fix up the well-known "red" schoolhouse, as his Eagle Project. Richard and a group of Boy Scouts work repaired the windows, and scraped and painted the outside. The project was completed in time for the annual open house at Tavern Day celebrations held on September 12.
The school remains a well-known historical fixture thanks to Richard and his volunteers. Information about Old Center School and the other eight districts can be found in the Burlington Room at the Burlington Public Library.