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Reed School (Wisconsin) facts for kids

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Reed School Historic Site
A picture of Reed School near Neillsville, Wisconsin.

The Reed School Historic Site is a special museum in Wisconsin. It used to be a one room school, which means all the students, no matter their age, learned together in just one classroom! Today, it's owned and run by the Wisconsin Historical Society, a group that helps save and share Wisconsin's history.

The school is located near Neillsville, Wisconsin, right on the corner of U.S. Route 10 and Cardinal Avenue. It's a great place to learn about what school was like a long time ago.

What is Reed School Today?

The main classroom at Reed School looks just like it did in 1939. Imagine learning your ABCs and math in a room like that! Today, this classroom is used for special school programs. Kids can visit and experience what it was like to be a student in a one-room school.

Learning About Rural Education

Downstairs, in the basement, there's an exhibit. This exhibit teaches visitors all about the history of schools in the countryside of Wisconsin. You can discover how education changed over the years for children living in rural areas.

A Look Back in Time

The Reed School building was built in 1915. For many years, it served as a busy school for local children. However, in 1951, the school had to close its doors. This happened because there weren't enough students living nearby anymore.

A Common Type of School

Reed School is a perfect example of a one-room school. Long ago, there were about 6,000 of these schools all across Wisconsin! They were very important for educating children in small communities.

Becoming a Museum

After it closed, the school building was saved and brought back to life. A former student named Gordon Smith helped restore the building. Thanks to his efforts, Reed School opened as a museum in 2007. It became Wisconsin's 10th State Historic Site. This means it's a very important place that helps us remember and understand Wisconsin's past.

External links

  • Reed School Historic Site
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