- This page was last modified on 14 June 2025, at 23:23. Suggest an edit.
Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center facts for kids
|
Boynton School
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Boynton Beach, Florida |
|---|---|
| NRHP reference No. | 94000139 |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1994 |
The Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center is a fun place to learn! It's located inside a really old school building called the Boynton School. You might also hear it called the Boynton Beach Elementary School. This historic building is at 129 East Ocean Avenue in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida. It's a great example of how old buildings can get a new life!
Contents
The Historic Boynton School Building
The Boynton School building has a long and interesting history. It was built way back in 1913. Before this building, there was only a small one-room schoolhouse on the same spot.
Who Designed the School?
A talented architect named William Maughlin designed the school. He was from West Palm Beach. The building has two floors and six classrooms. It was big enough to teach students from all 12 grades!
A School for Many Years
For 14 years, this building was the only school in Boynton Beach. It was a very important place for education in the community. In the 1960s, schools in Florida became open to all students, which was a big change.
Updates and Changes Over Time
In 1927, a high school was built right next door. After that, the Boynton School building became an elementary school. That's when it got some modern updates, like electricity and indoor plumbing!
The Boynton Elementary School finally closed its doors in 1990. But the building didn't stay empty for long. It was still used for different community activities.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
Because of its important history, the Boynton School was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 1994. This means it's officially recognized as a special historic site.
In the 1990s, this old school building helped bring new life to downtown Boynton Beach. It went through a huge restoration project in 1998-1999. This project cost $14 million! The money came from the City of Boynton Beach and the Florida Division of Historical Resources.
To remember its history, a special historical marker was put up in 2008.
The Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center
Since 2001, the old Boynton School building has been home to the Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center. This museum has a special goal: to help families learn about the history of Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County. They do this through fun, interactive exhibits and programs.
What You Can Explore at the Museum
The museum is full of hands-on exhibits! You can learn about:
- Local and regional history
- Maritime history (that's history about boats and the sea!)
- Marine life (animals that live in the ocean)
- What life was like for early Florida pioneers.
They even have displays that look like an old home, a general store, and a school from the past. Imagine life before computers, cell phones, or even cars! The exhibits let you experience a glimpse of that time.