Bennington No. 4 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bennington No. 4
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Waterloo, Iowa |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001651 |
| Added to NRHP | January 16, 2001 |
Bennington No. 4, also known as the Bennington School, is a special one-room schoolhouse located near Waterloo, Iowa. It was built in 1911. This school taught children from first to eighth grade. It served up to thirty students at a time. The school was important for the local German-American community. It also worked as a community center for everyone. The Bennington School closed in 1955. In 1958, a local family bought the empty building. This family had members who had attended or taught at the school. They worked hard to restore it during the 1990s.
History of Bennington School
The Bennington School built in 1911 replaced an older school. That first school had been on the same spot since the 1880s. By the early 1900s, local farmers were doing well. They decided to build a new, high-quality school for their children.
The new school served four local areas. It provided education for many students. After eighth grade, students went to Waterloo East High School. The school was a central part of the community. It was a place for learning and for people to gather.
What Does the School Look Like?
The Bennington School is a one-story building. It is made of wood. It measures about 34.5 feet (10.5 meters) deep. It is also about 22.5 feet (6.9 meters) wide. The school sits on a strong stone foundation.
A large belfry sits on the roof. It holds a heavy 30-gallon cast iron bell. The roof is higher than usual. The main door is in the middle of the front. Two windows are on each side of the door.
Inside, a small room called a vestibule is at the front. This room was used as a cloakroom. It opens into the main classroom. There are no windows on the north side. This was done to block cold winter winds. Two windows on the east side and four on the south side let in light. The classroom has a beautiful pressed tin ceiling. The walls were once plastered. They had wood wainscoting at the bottom. Today, the plaster has been replaced. But the original wood wainscoting and wood floor are still there.
The roof and the belfry are covered with wood shingles. The belfry roof is curved. It rises to a simple point. There are small arched supports under it. A brick chimney is on the east end of the school.
A Historic Landmark
The Bennington School is an important part of history. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 16, 2001. This means it is recognized as a special place worth protecting.
