The schoolhouse as just one room

Old Monroe Stone School opens to the public, By Janet Redyke Hardyston — School bells will soon be ringing in Sussex County, announcing the start of a new school year. Last Sunday, area residents were treated to a vision of what school was like for Hardyston and Sparta students a long time ago. The Old Monroe Stone School Museum, which operated as a one-room schoolhouse from about 1819 to 1926, opened its doors last Sunday to curious parents and children, and other members of the community. The schoolhouse has been preserved as a museum. Curator Georgeanna Lewis, herself a former teacher, pointed out to visitors the many items on display. Joey Weingran of Highland Lakes experimented with the slate boards children once used for their classwork instead of paper. The age-oriented desks, ranging from the smaller ones up front to larger ones behind, showed how children from grades 1 to 8 were organized in the single room. Looming in the corner was the traditional “dunce’s cap” — which two young visitors, brothers Douglas and Daniel Galante of Hamburg, strictly avoided. Lewis talked about Kate Coyle, an early teacher at the schoolhouse. The small picnic-area park by the school is named for her. Lewis recommended “Stones and Stories: An Oral History of the Old Monroe School,” by Carrie Papa, a local author and the founding director of the museum. The book is reminiscent of the “Little House” stories by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lewis said. “A very cool part of our history,” said the Galante family of Hamburg. Anyone who missed the chance to visit last weekend will have another opportunity on two upcoming Sundays, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7. The schoolhouse-museum is located on Route 94 South. Admission is $1.50 for adults and $1 for students and senior citizens. Hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information call Lewis at 973-663-0075.