- This page was last modified on 9 August 2025, at 08:10. 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 found inside a special old school building. This building is called the Boynton School, or sometimes the Boynton Beach Elementary School. You can find it at 129 East Ocean Avenue in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
Contents
A Look at the Historic School Building
When the School Was Built
The Boynton School building was constructed in 1913. It took the place of an older, smaller school that only had one room. A talented architect named William Maughlin from West Palm Beach designed this new school.
School Features and Early Years
The school building has two floors and six classrooms. It was big enough to teach students from all 12 grades. For 14 years, this was the only school in Boynton Beach. In its early days, it served only white students. This changed when schools in Florida became integrated in the 1960s, meaning students of all backgrounds could attend together.
Changes Over Time
In 1927, a high school was built right next door. After that, the Boynton School building became an elementary school, teaching younger students. At this time, modern updates like electricity and indoor plumbing were added to the building.
School Closure and Historic Status
The Boynton Elementary School closed its doors in 1990. However, the building continued to be used for different community activities. Because of its importance, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 1994. This means it's recognized as a special historic site.
Bringing the Building Back to Life
In the 1990s, this old school building became a key part of making downtown Boynton Beach lively again. Between 1998 and 1999, the building went through a huge restoration project. This project cost $14 million and was paid for by the City of Boynton Beach and the Florida Division of Historical Resources. A special historical marker was put up in 2008 to tell people about the building's past.
The Schoolhouse Children's Museum Today
What the Museum Is About
Since 2001, the old school building has been home to the Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center. The museum's main goal is to help families learn about the history of Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County. It does this through fun, hands-on exhibits and programs.
Interactive Exhibits for Kids
The museum has many interactive displays. You can learn about history, maritime history (the history of boats and the sea), and marine life (animals that live in the ocean). There are also exhibits about local and regional history. You can even see what a home, a general store, and a school looked like in the past. These exhibits show what life was like for early Florida pioneers, long before computers, cell phones, televisions, or even cars existed!