To The Editor:

The Knox Historical Society recently unveiled its second exhibit in the Knox Town Hall: the history of area schoolhouses.  An enlarged 1866 Beers Map highlights the location of all 15 schoolhouses, as well as the privately owned Knoxville Academy (now a private residence) located just down the road from the town hall.  While the schoolhouses served local residents, others came to the academy from surrounding cities and abroad.

The photographs on display tell the story of a time when schoolhouses were one-room, students walked to school, teachers were boarded in the homes of families, and curriculum included local newspapers and loaned books.

While you are there, be sure to check out the photo of the Unknown Schoolhouse. We are not sure at which location this one stood. Perhaps, you can help us solve the mystery.

Knox Historical Society member and local author, Dan Driscoll, wrote about the restoration of Schoolhouse 5 in his book, “History of a One-Room Schoolhouse in Knox, NY,” also on display. For more information or to order a copy, please visit www.knoxhistoricalsociety.org.

The Knox Historical Society will continue to showcase exhibits throughout each year, rotating every few months. While the Saddlemire Homestead is closed during the cold months, the display makes it possible to share the town’s past with visitors and residents alike — but it is not limited to history. If you have any pictures or photographs that you would like to display or historical photographs that you would like to share with the society, please contact me at jenngeckler@gmail.com or 203-444-2014.

Jenn Geckler

Knox Historical Society Member