Old school
At left, the new porch of the Crouse School is seen with a new foundation, wood and stain. The construction is the beginning of the renovation project under the direction of Greene County Historical Society Museum with help from volunteer and donor Chuck Anderson. Below, an inside look of the Crouse School shows the original desks, books and chalkboards. Plans to renovate the interior are under way.
An inside look of the Crouse School, showing the original desks, books and chalkboards. Plans to renovate the inside interior are under way.
Chuck Anderson’s mother, Louise Crouse, back row, far right, stands beside the Crouse School about 1932-33, with the rest of her class.
ROGERSVILLE – When you open the door and look inside, the first things you see are the old iron and wood topped desks.
On closer inspection, the jagged cutting marks along the corners where young boys once cut away with their pocket knives become visible, and then there is the huge old black iron stove in the center of the one room with the words “Pittsburgh” branded into the center.
And if you are a real sleuth and open up one of the three books labeled “biology,” you will see the pressed long-stem yellow flower that has lost only one of its petals since 1910.
These are the objects of memories that still exist in the one-room Crouse School near Rogersville.
Since the school was built in the early 1900s it has slowly become dilapidated as time and weather have taken a toll on the old building.
The Greene County Historical Society Museum and members of the community are trying to renovate the school to keep a snapshot of Greene County’s history still standing.
The museum has owned the school house since 1986, but due to budget cuts from the state, it has not been able to start renovations until now.
Museum director Eben Williams said they looked for people to help get the project going and though they focused on recruiting museum members to become involved in the renovation, their recruiting had been unsuccessful.
“We needed to get all of our ducks in a row,” said Williams. “Then Chuck came to me, and gave the sign to get the ball rolling.”
Chuck Anderson, a retiree, went to Williams and expressed interest in the project. Anderson removed the renovation from the to-do list and actually got the project moving.
Anderson has been volunteering both time and money toward the renovation of the school house because of its sentimental value.
“My mom went to school here,” said Anderson. “I have pictures of her sitting out there on the steps (of the Crouse school) out in the yard.”
Anderson’s mother, Louise Crouse, attended the school for the eight years of her elementary education. The Crouse School was named after her family because the school was built on her family’s land.
Anderson donated money and built the restored porch on the front of the school facing Route 21.
Some people driving by have noticed the new wood with its glossy dark stain, and some already have donated money toward other school restoration projects that are in the planning stages.
According to Williams, the beginning steps of the renovations have piqued the interest of others and the museum recently received other donations. Currently, they have $1,486 for the renovation project.
“People need to realize the treasures they have here,” said Williams. “It is important to keep these things going or their records will be lost from the world.”
The plan is to assess and renovate the roof, add lighting fixtures, possibly get the old iron stove working again, work on the chimney, fix the wood on the bell tower, fix several windows and work on the interior.
“(The porch) is to just spark people’s interest in the project,” said Anderson. “A project like this needs the help from the community.”
Anderson plans on helping with the project until it is finished. He believes the school’s condition isn’t too bad, but it does need help if it is to continue standing.
Anderson agrees it is going to take more than him. The museum needs professional help, from people who know what they are doing and aren’t afraid of heights, as is Anderson.
“This place is a memory that we want to keep alive,” said Anderson. “It would be a shame to see this place collapse.”
Anderson said it is up to the museum to see what happens to the school after the renovations, but he would love to see it opened up to the public for many uses, such as a vacation destination and tours.
Williams said he would like to make the school an outlet for the museum. He wants to fill the school with materials and objects of West Greene’s history and open it up to the public.
“Every little bit helps. Our mission is to keep these Greene County treasures standing,” he said.