The Franklin Schoolhouse was built in 1807 and served as Metuchen’s only school for five decades. Local residents, such as a farmer Samuel Compton, worked on the 20′ by 20′, one-room school house. Farmers, usually 3 or 4 at a time, would work on the schoolhouse when it was convenient for them to do so. Local carpenter Benjamin Thornall also helped to build the schoolhouse; he worked for 75 cents, and the others worked for 35 cents.
At a cost of $500 the school was repaired and renovated in 1842. The schoolhouse remains close to its original position, but it originally faced south, as did most buildings at the time. The schoolhouse was eventually turned around to face the direction of the original schoolhouse.
A newer Franklin school was built down Middlesex Avenue in 1873 due to its growing number of students, and the older schoolhouse, now known as the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, stopped being used and instead served as a private home. The newer schoolhouse was later destroyed by fire.
On November 17, 1906 the Borough Improvement League (B.I.L.), a newly formed group, planned for “… preserving the Old Academy building.” The school was in poor condition, and the B.I.L. purchased the building for $800 to attempt to rescue the schoolhouse. In addition, the President of Princeton University donated $80, wanting to save the historical schoolhouse.
In 1908, the B.I.L., acquiring possession of the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, put their plans of remodeling to schoolhouse into action. Some of their procedures included removing the 1842 portion, re-bracing the roof, removing the ceiling, and adding a small platform, kitchen and dressing room, creating an inglenook, and adding a fireplace on north side of the building. The reconstruction of the schoolhouse totaled up to $1,465.
From July 14, 1910, the B.I.L. allowed people to rent the schoolhouse for one dollar, which sparked the tradition of hosting public events at the Franklin Schoolhouse. Even the military used the building; during World War I, for an afternoon and evening per week, soldiers stationed near the schoolhouse used it.
The Franklin Schoolhouse was recognized nationally, too, not just in Metuchen. During the beginning of 1942, the Historic American Buildings Survey awarded the schoolhouse. Also, the National Register awarded the historical structure a Certificate of Eligibility.
Now, the schoolhouse is known as the Old Franklin Schoolhouse today, and it’s famous for hosting public events and campaigns, and Metuchen treats our peice of history with care.
Source : http://www.boroughimprovementleague.org/5.html
Metuchen Pride 