Rededicating the Little Red Schoolhouse

October 26, 2011

It's one of the most historic buildings at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - a 145-year-old little red schoolhouse that sits atop the tallest hill overlooking campus.

On Friday, Oct. 28, students and staff members will rededicate this landmark that honors both the university's past and ongoing excellence in training future teachers.

"Step inside and you'll find yourself in a traditional one-room schoolhouse, complete with books, pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, desks, a coat area and more," said Karen Weston, university archivist. "We're even looking for a big map to place inside."

Built as the Granville School in 1866 at the corner of West Bradley and North Granville streets in Milwaukee, it was preserved by Paul Rush of Milwaukee. In 1966, UW-Whitewater alumni, President Walker D. Wyman and the UW-Whitewater Foundation brought the schoolhouse to campus.

"Since then, local schools have used the building for 'country school days,' which allow their students to experience education in a one-room classroom," Weston said. The little red schoolhouse is also a popular landmark for tourists.

The 30-by-20-foot building honors the beginnings of public education in Wisconsin and the normal school graduates who taught in similar one-room schoolhouses. UW-Whitewater was founded as a normal school and today recommends more teachers for licensure at the undergraduate level than any university in Wisconsin.

The rededication ceremony on Friday, Oct. 28, at 2:30 p.m. is open to the public. Speakers include Weston, Chancellor Richard Telfer and Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies Katy Heyning.