Old Lewiston Schoolhouse Library & Museum, Lewiston CA

Category & Type :

Museums

Location :

39 Schoolhouse Road , Lewiston CA

http://www.oldlewistonschoolhouse.org/ Call 530-778-0111 Use Promo Code: 378281 For Additional Discounts!

About Old Lewiston Schoolhouse Library & Museum...

The Old Lewiston Schoolhouse is a classic one-room schoolhouse built in 1862 by the Good Templars Lodge as a Temperance Hall. Although school had been conducted inside an old church that stood on the present site of the Congregational Church, when that structure burned in 1865, the Lodge surrendered its charter and the Lewiston Schoolhouse was born.

The schoolhouse in it's infancy: late-1860's For many years the school had no plumbing or running water. Maintaining a reliable water supply, by frequent trips to the well at the nearby Kise house, was a responsibility shouldered by the school children, who drank from a common dipper.

The building's original design, though somewhat spartan (see photo, above right, from late-1860's), served it's purpose as an educational institution, while a later facelift (see photo, bottom of page, circa 1910) would add the now-familiar bell tower. Still more adornments were to come including the front porch and rear kitchen area that now comprise the schoolhouse.

For nearly a century, the schoolhouse was not only an educational facility, but also served the community as a town meeting hall, a local polling place, and a venue for performances by area thespians. In addition, it played host to grand balls, benefit dinners, church socials, public "Christmas Tree parties", and extra-curricular class exercises of reading, speaking and singing.

Nestled among the trees of Old Town Lewiston, near the junction of Turnpike and Deadwood Roads, The Old Lewiston Schoolhouse overlooks the Lewiston Historic District, as she has for more than a century and most certainly will a hundred years from now. Some of us like to think of the old gal as a beatific lighthouse, standing resolutely like a beacon in the fog, offering guidance to wayward ships who, like lost souls search desperately for something, anything that resembles a refuge from the storm. Those ships are us, the people of this fine town, and she provides us all with some glimmer of hope for the future. Yes, our glorious schoolhouse: The history she has seen, and the future only she could know. We bask in her beauty; we gaze, awestruck by her magnificence, and we honor her because she honors us. We are lucky to have her, still.

Do not miss the chance to visit the Old Lewiston Schoolhouse Library and Museum, the town's crown jewel among historic structures in the area, and the best representation of Trinity County's wonderful history, fully on display and available for special tours and after-hours appointments as well. We now offer high speed internet service, free of charge, along with fax and copy services for a small donation. Tourism information abounds for out-of-town visitors who seek to explore the area. Our museum is filled with fascinating relics of our town's exciting past, and the library is available to area residents with a 24-hour book return, movies on DVD and a new releases/best sellers section. Those interested in receiving the latest issue of our community newsletter, which covers events in and around Lewiston throughout the year, can call, email or write to us for a free copy. Our hours of operation:

Thursday 2pm until 5pm
Friday 2pm until 5pm
Saturday 10am until 5pm
Sunday 2pm until 5pm
Monday 2pm until 5pm
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday CLOSED

We hope to see you soon!