One Avon's Most Historic Sites Opening To Public Sunday

AVON, CT — The Avon Historical Society is welcoming the public to its annual open house at the 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse, 3 Harris Road, on Sunday.

The historic school, located at the corner of West Avon Road and Route 167, will be open Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

After that, it will be open to the public every Sunday through September.

The society invites anyone interested in volunteering to be a greeter for one Sunday this summer and to contact them if interested.

The 1865 Pine Grove Schoolhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a district with four other properties.

Each year since 1976, the Avon Historical Society has opened the building to the public for the summer tourist season.

The Pine Grove Schoolhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1865 as Schoolhouse No. 7 and is still standing on its original location.

It is owned by the Town of Avon and it was in use as a school for 84 years until 1949.

It then became a nursery school, a branch of the town library, and a meeting place for the Boy Scouts Explorer Troop 122.

The Avon Historical Society restored the building in 1976 and interprets it as a schoolhouse of 1900 with bolted desks, hand slates, textbooks, and other educational memorabilia of the time.

“For almost 50 years, visitors have enjoyed learning about our local history, and we encourage all residents to bring their family and friends this summer to see this lovely 19th-century schoolhouse,” said Terri Wilson, Avon Historical Society president.

During the pandemic, the society installed a Little Free Library next to the schoolhouse that is available 24/7.

Books for all ages are contained inside, and everyone is welcome to take a book/share a book as they would like.

In addition, a National Register of Historic Places roadside marker, donated by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, was installed on the front of the property.

The Pomeroy Foundation supports the celebration and preservation of community history through its roadside marker grant program nationwide.

For more information on this site and to watch a video about the schoolhouse and West Avon, visit: https://avonhistoricalsociety..... Sundays are available for anyone wishing to volunteer to greet visitors, and those interested can contact the Avon Historical Society at info@avonhistoricalsociety.org or leave a message at 860-678-7621.