West Ward School at 39 Prospect Street, Wakefield, Mass.
Description:
Photos show views of the West Ward School located at 39 Prospect Street on the north side of the street between Goodwin and Nichols Streets. The school was built in 1847 and is thought to be the oldest two-room schoolhouse in Massachusetts that was in continuous use during its 147 years of operation. The school was eventually forced to close when the roof collapsed in 1994 and was turned over from the School Department to the Board of Selectmen. In 1998 the West Ward School Association was awarded permission to restore the building to its original use as a 19th century schoolhouse. The organization aims to make the building a "living history schoolhouse," giving children the opportunity to experience a classroom from the mid to late 19th century. Detailed entry in building survey, "The cultural resources of Wakefield", pD98 The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Photos taken at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2008
