Plans to save Hiram Icon – Ridlon Schoolhouse
HIRAM – The Hiram Historical Society is teaming with the Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society (OVAS) and Tear Cap Workshops to save the oldest remaining one-room schoolhouse in Hiram.
The owner of this sweet little one-room schoolhouse planned an immediate demolition but agreed to give the Hiram Historical Society time to save it. The Society has teamed up with the Ossipee Valley Agricultural Society and Tear Cap Workshops, Scott Campbell of Maine Mountain Post and Beam, and other volunteers. After careful consideration, we plan to deconstruct the building, store what’s salvageable at Tear Cap Workshops and rebuild it on the Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds as an educational resource for all when funds are in hand.
Ridlon School is the oldest one-room schoolhouse remaining in Hiram and one of few of this old age in Maine.
Once white, now red, little else except a six-foot addition and an outhouse has changed in its 200+ years since it was designated as “Stanley’s” school district in 1819 with six student scholars. Tragically William Stanley died in 1822 at age 46 and Samuel Ridley (Ridlon) succeeded him, hence its name. It was replaced by the “new” school built in 1916, now the Hiram Town Office.
To help assist in deconstruction restarting Sat. April 6, 2024, call Cliff Whitney at 207-625-8241.
To help research the school’s students, teachers and descendants or to help raise funds and spread the word, call Sally Williams at 207-615-4390.
We need your support for this and future phases of the project! Thank you.
