Back to basics

If the walls of Antelope County District 70 schoolhouse could talk, visitors would hear tales of stubborn winter storms, older students assisting younger children drill times tables and plenty of practices for all-school holiday shows.

Now, visitors will discover new stories about the one-room schoolhouse, located at 407 L Street, part of the Antelope County Museum Complex.

The school project, spearheaded by former educator Gloria Christiansen, of Neligh, was dedicated Sept. 22, after more than two years of fundraising, grit and determination.

Assisting with the efforts were sub-committee members Jeri Anderson, Ray Ahrens and Lavern Hauptmann.

Unlike pioneer schools which boast stories of early education on Nebraska's plains, the new addition to the complex focuses on the 1940s to the 1980s.

Christiansen taught at Clearwater Public Schools and served as media director for Educational Service Unit 8 in Neligh.

For years, Christiansen collected educational memorabilia to showcase as a hands-on educational exhibit, including textbooks, desks, 16mm films, cassette recorders and 45 rpm records.

The items offer a look at how education evolved during that time period, when learning centers, comprehensive units of study and visual aids became the classroom norm.

Classes at district 70 began in 1885. In 1915, patrons were determined to construct a new school.

It was competed in 1916, adjacent to the original structure, and served until 1973.

Both buildings sat on land owned by Merlin and Janet Bolling. The original was removed from the property in 1980.

Christiansen said attempts to purchase other rural schoolhouses near Neligh fell through, but in 2013, a discussion with Bolling led Christiansen to acquiring the school.

Christensen and committee members raised $125,000 to relocate the structure.

Grant funds, including a building and facade improvement grant from the Neligh Old Mill District gave the project a boost.

The day before Valentine’s Day 2018, the building survived a nine-mile trek to its final resting spot on the museum complex, where it was placed on a basement foundation.

Since then, workers, including a group of volunteers, have worked inside and out to return the school to its original condition.

Floors were restored and wainscoting brought back to its brilliant shine.

Approximately 90 individuals attended Sunday’s dedication ceremony, which included a special rendition of the song, “School Days,” by Christiansen, Carolyn Weinman and Roxanne McNally.