Property Record
253 WATER ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
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| Other Name: | CLARK SCHOOL MUSEUM |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 48434 |
| Location (Address): | 253 WATER ST |
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| County: | Green Lake |
| City: | Berlin |
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| Year Built: | 1866 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1990 |
| Historic Use: | one to six room school |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. LOCATED INRIVERSIDE PARK & OPERATED BY BERLINHISTORICAL SOCIETY; ELIGIBILITY MAYBE AFFECTED IF BLDG MOVED HERE. The F in the photo codes is for Fox Canal Survey. This property is locally significant under criterion C as a well-preserved example of a pioneer era one-room school exemplifying the plain utilitarian architecture of the settlement period. This is the oldest and best preserved example of a one-room rural school house in Berlin. An election was held on September 23, 1866 to elect a board officer for a new joint school district, number 9. This district included the towns of Aurora, Waushara County and Rushford, in Winnebago County. Shortly after the election, a school was erected and the first session is though to have started during December of 1866. School sessions consisted of four winter months and four summer months. The school house was also used as a gathering place for political meetings, literary societies, fourth of July celebrations, card parties and even some religious meetings. In 1963, the school was moved to Riverside Park. Modern porch and steps added in late 1990s. The belfry, originally erected in 1891, was replaced in 1968. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) "Century Old Clark School Is Museum." Berlin Journal, Oct. 13, 1966, p. 16. (B) "Century Old School Opens Again." Oshkosh Northwestern 9/9/1966. Berlin Journal 7/26/2001. Princeton Times Republic 5/22/2003. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |