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Little Red Schoolhouse

1868


ADDRESS
211 Carter Street
New Canaan
CT

BUILT
1868

Located on Carter Street, this is actually the third school building on the site. The first one was moved to this site – literally pulled up Canoe Hill Road by oxen – so that District 3 could open in 1852. It was torn down three years later. The next schoolhouse burnt down in 1870. That same year, the existing building was constructed. It was in continuous operation until the last teacher, Miss Mary Kelley, retired in 1957.

The schoolhouse is a time capsule. It contains the same desks used by the first through fifth graders (they get progressively bigger). There are maps from 1892. Readers and a phonogram. And incredible oil paintings of Aesop’s Fables by Justin Gruelle, a famous artist with the Silvermine Guild.

We are excited to announce that construction on the Jim and Dede Bartlett Center for New Canaan History is underway! Events will occur as scheduled, but because of the logistical challenges in the main building, the portrait exhibition is available by appointment only. Please contact ngeary@nchistory.org.

WE WILL BE CLOSED FOR RESEARCH UNTIL June 4th.