Although it’s still penniless, an Oconto Falls historical society is pursuing plans to purchase and move a vacant two-room schoolhouse for use as a historical center.
The Oconto Falls Area Heritage Center association is beginning a fundraising push to obtain $150,000, the projected cost to purchase Spruce School and move it to Oconto Falls.
According to preliminary figures, the project is “doable,” said Dale Seeling, association president, “if we do enough hard work, if we get (the word) out and get people to realize what we’re trying to save.”
He told School Board members on Jan. 13 the association has contacted two movers for proposals and has ballpark figures from plumbers, electricians and other contractors.
The association plans to proceed with the project within six months.
“This is our goal, somewhere in June, July, to say ‘Yes. We have the money, we can go,’ ” Seeling said.
Raising the necessary funds is the hitch.
“The first time I appeared before you, I was penniless. I’m still penniless,” Seeling said.
The association plans to send requests to donors and apply for gifts from charitable foundations.
”We’re going to hit that with a vengeance,” Seeling said.
School Board member Charles O’Harrow questioned Seeling about using the former Jefferson School property for the historical exhibit of Spruce School.
“You’re just going to buy the (Spruce School) structure, because you think we’re going to supply a site for you? Is that the assumption?” O’Harrow asked.
Seeling said there are other vacant properties and historic sites in the city that could be developed, but the Jefferson School site is considered a prime location.
O’Harrow said he wasn’t in favor of placing Spruce School at the Jefferson School site.
The school district owns two parcels at the Jefferson School property, which borders Pine Grove Park on Sherman Street on the city’s west side. Although one parcel has no restrictions for its use or sale, the other parcel has conditions dating back 125 years, according to School Superintendent Dave Polashek.
In October, School Board members voted to study the association’s plan to move Spruce School and decided to stop marketing the building and lot, on sale since October 2012. Some members were in favor of showcasing the school as a historic treasure and were encouraged by the possibility of selling the two acres where the school is located more easily than selling the building and land.
Spruce School, located at 7904 County Road A, Lena, educated generations of Spruce-area students before closing in June 2012. In recent years, the schoolhouse was operated as a charter school with an environmental emphasis for students in grades one through five. Low enrollment and financial issues led to the closure.
Categories
