Kripplebush Schoolhouse Museum Kripplebush Road Stone Ridge, NY 12484

Kripplebush Schoolhouse Museum Kripplebush Road Stone Ridge, NY 12484

Kripplebush Schoolhouse Museum

Kripplebush Road

Stone Ridge, NY 12484

(845) 687-9229

http://kripplebushschoolhousemuseum.weebly.com/

Open: Sunday 2:00pm-4:00pm/Monday-Saturday Closed-Seasonal

Admission: Free but donations are accepted.

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g48691-d26613640-r915247283-Kripplebush_Schoolhouse_Museum-Stone_Ridge_Catskill_Region_New_York.html?m=19905

The grounds of the Kripplebush Schoolhouse Museum

I went to visit the Kripplebush Schoolhouse Museum over the holiday weekend to take a glimpse at school life at the turn of the last century. I discovered that not much has changed since the 1800’s. The teacher still sits in the front of the classroom with the students contently listening (with no cell phone use).

The sides of the classroom have all the things that a teach would need with books, maps and a potbelly stove to keep the children warm. What I thought was unusual about this school house is that it was in use until 1951 when the new school system was built. It still has a piano and art supplies showing that it was used for all classes at all ages.

It is not so different from elementary school classes of today which are handled in one room. It was at a time when things were much slower in life and getting an education was a privilege that was not taken for granted. It is a very unique museum.

Downtown Kripplebush

When you are finished, take time to explore the small downtown just up the road. It has many historical homes and beautiful gardens and a few small antique shops. The Methodist church sits in the middle of the town as a symbols of its religious past. The church is still active but sits on a country lane looking majestic.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Kripplebush-United-Methodist-Church-100064891801502/

It is an interesting museum but it is rarely open. It is open for two hours on a Sunday and only until the end of October. Then you will have to wait until May. Still it is worth the trip with the town’s beautiful little downtown and its picturesque fields of wildflowers and fields as you enter and leave town.

The beautiful wildflowers as you enter town.

The beautiful fields of flowering weeds and wildflowers

The History of the Museum:

(from the museum website)

The Kripplebush Schoolhouse, an original one room schoolhouse, and the Lodge Hall located behind it are proud examples of a community’s success in preserving its historical assets.  This challenging restoration has required generous public support, in dollars as well as in labor.  Our organization has been assisted in its efforts by membership contributions and by volunteer activities.

The museum property

The schoolhouse has been set up the way it was in the early 1900s.  We have worked with local people concerned with preservation of local history, as well as with former students.  Even a professional movie set designer has helped us pay careful attention to historical details.

The original school house

The Lodge Hall displays authentic furniture and articles common to the way that daily life was then lived.  Our museum offers the possibility of taking a step back in time.  Visitors find it a wonderful opportunity to see and understand subtle and significant ways in which our local culture has changed and how our society has progressed.

The school room classroom

The Back of the classroom

The history of Kripplebush is a rich story that shows us how a proud past can inspire the future of an ever changing community.  We would greatly appreciate any help that you could provide for us in meeting our future goals for this lovely community resource.

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