• 1851 - Due to overcrowding, the old brick school house was abandoned and a new one erected on a small parcel of land on North Road purchased from Hildreth Dutton. The new Centre School was dedicated on November 12, and is seen here in its original configuration, with seperate entrances for boys and girls and a covered front porch in July, 1875.

Historical Society photo print 1957.1.1

• 1886 - "April 13, Satisfactory progress is being made upon the addition to the Centre school building. The plasterers began their work Tuesday morning, but it is hardly probable that the rooms will be ready for occupancy by the first of September. The addition of a bell tower is a great improvement, and here will be hung the old academy bell, so long silent, which will summon the children to school, as, more than a half century ago, it rang out a like message to their grandfathers and grandmothers when Ralph Waldo Emerson occupied the master's chair."
• The remodeled school with the bell tower front and center, and new entrances on each side, is seen here on March 25, 1895.

Historical Society photo print 1976.32.12

(Special Correspondence) Chelmsford, May 29

"This Illustration shows Chelmsford’s 'Little Red School House' as It appears today. It is constructed of brick with wooden gables and was built in 1802. For many years a porch sheltered the doorway that was changed and enlarged when its use as a school building was ended. School was probably held here for the last time early in 1851, for on October 30 of that year a grand 'tea party' was held in the 'new school house,' which is really the original part of the present school building, and the exercises of dedication occurred on November 12, 1851. The abandoned school house was then made use of by the town as the hearse house and is known and used as such today.

"An evening school in penmanship was at one time taught in the building during the winter by Dr Samuel L Dutton, now living on Westford street. On the left is the old part of Forefathers cemetery in which are the graves of Revolutionary soldiers, early ministers of Chelmsford and some of the oldest remaining headstones. Among those living today who received their early education within the four brick walls of the school house are Miss Asenath Chamberlain, Mrs Eliza J Emerson, Mrs Mary A Day, Mrs Julia E Warren, Mrs Martha J Parkhurst, Mrs C H Parkhurst, Mrs Emma J Hutchins, Mrs Estelle S Perham, Mrs Martha E Dadmun, Mrs Martha L Emerson, Miss M E Richards, Miss Harriet Battles, S W Parkhurst, H H Emerson, J P Emerson, J Adams Bartlett, E R Marshall, Charles W Byam, all of Chelmsford ..."

RELINQUISHING THE KEYS to the red brick schoolhouse in Forefathers Cemetery on behalf of the town are Selectmen Murphy and Lannan (fist and 3rd left) while the recipients are members of the Bicentennial Commission Walter Hedlund (receiving keys) and (at right) John Alden and John Richardson. Restoration of the schoolhouse, formerly used as a tool shed by the Park Department, is a local Bicentennial restoration project. (Photo by Bob Wojtas)

RESTORATION OF THE 1802 SCHOOLHOUSE, a Bicentennial project, got under way with the help of Boy Scout troop 66 whose members offered to clean up and remove the old shingles so the roof could be restored. Scouts shown in this photo include Frank Bottomly, Bruce Colby, Dave Evans, Scott Grezeszack, John Kelly, Martin Kelly, Don Skelton and Greg Spanos. Louis Kelly is the Scoutmaster and also one of Chelmsford’s members on the Nashoba Valley Tech high school committee. (Photo by The Photo Shoppe)

1802 Schoolhouse Re-dedication On July 4

The public is invited to attend the official re-opening of the Red Brick Schoolhouse. The oldest Town owned building, on Sunday July 4th at 2:00 P M. This building, created in 1802 in the corner of Forefathers' Burying Ground on the site of Chelmsford's first school served until 1851 as the learning center for all of the children living in School District No 1. The past century and a quarter has seen this structure put to several noneducational uses. For many years the town's horsedrawn hearse was stored here. More recently it has been used by the Cemetery Department and the Park Department for storage and as a maintenance shop. In 1974 the local Bicentennial Commission began the repair and restoration of the building with funds appropriated at Town Meeting as well as a matching grant from the State.

The re-opening ceremony on July 4th will coincide with the activities on the Common and the schoolhouse will remain open Sunday and Monday for inspection by the public and the sale of literature of local historical interest.

The special committee headed by Richard O Lahue, Sr, has eliminated any possible structual weakness and with the exception of modern heating and lighting, has restored it to as near its original appearance as possible. The old chimney has been reinstalled, asphalt shingles replaced by wooden ones, a wide board floor laid over the concrete, wainscoting repaired, the two windows put back into the front wall, and the large door replaced by one of early 19th century design. Of particular interest is the huge lock on the door, a custom made copy of an early American lock. New granite steps have been installed and wooden pegs have been provided for the pupils coats. A cupola, or bell tower, gives it the authentic appearance of an old time school.

Plans call for use of the building by the School department in their "early schoolroom" program. It will serve as headquarters of the Historical Commission and may be used for small historical exhibits.

1802 Schoolhouse Dedication

OLD SCHOOLHOUSE RETURNED TO TOWN: After more than 100 years as a storehouse and utility building, the 1802 brick schoolhouse in Forefathers Cemetery has been restored and was presented to the Historical Commission on March 31 ... (Photo by Tec Art Photography)

1802 School House Returned To Town

A two year restoration and preservation project of the Chelmsford Bicentennial Commission came to the end on March 31 when Restoration Committee Chairman Richard 0 Lahue, Sr, presented the keys to the new door of the 1802 schoolhouse to J Perry Richardson. Chairman of the Chelmsford Historical Commission. The Historical Commission will be responsible for the use and maintenance of the historically important building, by direction of the Board of Selectmen. The restoration was funded by a Town Meeting appropriation and a $3,000 matching grant under the Bicentennial Community Grants Program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as several private donations. The building, constructed of brick manufactured in East Chelmsford, was erected in 1802 on the site of the first Chelmsford schoolhouse (1718) and served pupils of the Center Area until 1851 when it was replaced by the "yellow schoolhouse", which was located where the Central Fire Station stands today. In the 1860’s the old school was used to house the Town Hearse and became known as “The Hearse House”. Now, after serving the town as a store house for over a hundred years, the building has been returned to its original service. In the fall of 1976 several groups of students from the Center School held classes in the restored schoolhouse as they relived the experiences of school children of 150 years ago. The School Department plans to hold similar classes in the future for students from the other schools in the town.

1802 Schoolhouse Open This Weekend

The Chelmsford Historical Commission has announced that the 1802 schoolhouse located in Forefathers’ Burying Ground opposite the Central Baptist Church will be open for inspection by the townspeople this weekend. Last year more than 1000 people, young and old, visited the 175 year old brick school during the Independence Day celebration. Those who return this year will see a great change.

Student’s desks and benches of early 19th century design have been installed along with an authentic schoolmaster’s desk from the old District #7 schoolhouse on School Street in West Chelmsford prior to 1877. There is also a wood burning stove, loaned by Louis F Kelly, and a dunce stool. The bell in the bell tower originally hung in the Chelmsford Academy building on Academy Street and later in the "yellow schoolhouse" on North Road where the Fire Station is now located.

A CLASS IN THE 1802 SCHOOLHOUSE: Second graders from the North School with their teacher, Ann Hehir, were among the children from that grade throughout the town who visited the old schoolhouse in Forefathers Cemetery to re-live the days when primers were used and a stove provided heat. The school, built in 1802, became a hearse house later and then served as headquarters for the Cemetery department. As part of the Bicentennial activities, it was restored to its original condition as nearly as possible and a visit to it has now become an important part of the second-grade curriculum. (Photo by Regina Linsley)

Chelmsford Academy Bell

CMFD-THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MEETING on September 18 was held In the 1802 Schoolhouse In Forefathers Cemetery as It customarily does. Here the members discuss a matter with Town Counsel James Harrington (standing). Chairman Richard Lahue, Sr, Is seated at left, with members Charles Watt, Harold Davis and John Perry Richardson at right. Robert LaPorte, Jr, another member, is also at right but out of photo. (Photo by Regina Linsley)

CMFD-LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE BECOMES CHRISTMAS SHOP:

From Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 the schoolhouse in Forefathers Cemetery will offer all sorts of handmade gifts for all ages for the holidays. Here four of the many members of the Garrison House Guild who are working for the Fair display the familiar Garrison House sign that also graces the Association’s July 4 booth each year. They are (LR) Prue McBride, Mrs. Ernest Pouliot, Mrs. Malcolm Weeks, Mrs. Charles Partridge. (Photo by Regina Linsley)