The HPS Schoolhouse
Its beginnings involve some of Hebron's early residents
The first meeting of what was to be known as the District #16 schoolhouse, was held in 1816 at the house built by David Hopkins, now the home of Charlie and Aggy Duveen, and formerly the Ensign family home on State Route 22 in East Hebron. Classes were held in Gilbert Hard's "shop" for which the district paid $1.00 per month. Tuition was a quarter cord of wood per scholar, delivered at the school, or a payment of twenty schillings per cord. Between the years 1837 and 1844, school meeting minutes tell of the appointment of a commissioner to inspect the school for needed repairs at the cost of $6.00. The commissioner made a catalogue of books suitable for a district library. The books were purchased in 1839 and a librarian was appointed. In 1843 it was noted there were "73 library books on hand, 27 children were taught, and 38 children reside in the district."
On September 5, 1844, with Charles J. White as moderator, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to determine the costs of repairing the old schoolhouse and also the expense of building a new one. The committee members were Ashel Sheldon, Asa E. Munson, James R. Wilson, and William I. Joslin. On September 15th it was voted to repair the old school in a "substantial manner." On September 21st they were asked to reconsider the vote to repair the old school. Finally, on March 31, 1845, at a special meeting, it was decided to "remove the site for the school to the east side of the turnpike on the land of William Joslin." (Book 11, Page 137, Deeds of Washington County, shows this lot was purchased from William and Ann Joslin in 1845 for $500.00) The trustees were James R. Wilson, James J. Joslin, and John S. McFarland. At a meeting on April 21, 1845, it was voted that the new schoolhouse was to be "in the new style with plank." It was to be painted red and trimmed with white. We do not know the date of the completion or occupancy, but the minutes of October 3, 1848 continued as District #16 and mention that the wood was to be furnished by auction to the lowest bidder. Jeremiah Hatch was to furnish three cords of hardwood for $7.50.