Local writer pens book to tell story of one-room schoolhouse in PI, raise funds

4 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Ten years ago Martie Pritchard, a member of the James School board of directors, began gathering historical research in hopes of writing a book that chronicles the decades-long story of the one-room school for the community.

Pritchard has now finished that book, titled “Our James School: Field Trip to a One-Room School.” She, along with the seven other members of the board of directors, will use the book to educate the public and raise funds for future structural repairs at the school.

“I started writing a complete history of the school with adult readers in mind, but I always thought the book would work nicely for kids as well,” said Pritchard, who also facilitates a writer’s group for senior citizens known as the Leisure Village Writers.

Pritchard organized the book as an easy, fun read for both adults and children. The first section of the book gives a brief history of the James School. For the remainder of the book, Pritchard included questions that many children have asked while visiting the school, including “Where was the cafeteria?”, “How did they keep warm in the winter?” and “Where did they get water?”

The James School has a vast history in Presque Isle, first as a one-room schoolhouse and now as a “hands-on exhibit” for local community members.
(Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

In answering the latter question, Pritchard explains the mechanisms behind the old-fashioned water pump that still sits on the front lawn of the James School. She said recently that proceeds from sales of the book will first go toward the eventual repair of the pump. Early estimates put the job at around $1,000 to $3,000.

Despite the costly repairs, Pritchard thinks that maintaining the pump provides people, especially young children, with a unique history lesson.

“It’s a neat treat to be able to pump that water,” Pritchard said. 

The James School, located on the Niles Road near Arnold Brook Lake, served as the primary educational institution for children who lived in that area from 1917 to 1948. After that period the Hillside Gospel Mission used the school until people began attending churches in the city in the 1950s.

In 1985 judge Julian Turner learned of the city’s plans to demolish the James School, due to the crumbling foundation and structure that officials believed was dangerous for nearby children. Turner organized a group of around 360 community members to raise funds and spend every weekend for nearly two years repairing the historic school.

The historic water pump outside the James School, located on the Niles Road in Presque Isle, is the first of many repairs that the James School board of directors expects to undertake in order to preserve important history lessons for children and other community members.
(Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

For many years local teachers brought their elementary school classes to visit the James School. Sometimes they even dressed up as early 20th-century children. Though there has been a decline in those visits in recent years, Pritchard is now using the book to spread the story of the James School to a new generation and said that many teachers have expressed interest in bringing their students to visit.

“The school is a hands-on history exhibit. When I came to the James School for the first time Mary Turner [the late Julian Turner’s wife] told me to make sure the children get to write on the chalkboard, sit at the desks and read the books,” Pritchard said. “We had Pine Street preschoolers here recently and they had a lot of fun.”

From June to September the Jame School is open on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. for open houses. In the meantime Pritchard encourages people to pick up the book — at Merchants on the Corner or Ben’s Trading Post in Presque Isle or on Amazon — and learn the stories of days gone by.

“What better way to feed you or your children’s curiosity?” Pritchard said. “I hope people finish the book and think, ‘I had no idea life was like that.’”

The James School, located on the Niles Road in Presque Isle, is open in spring for school visits and in the summer for open houses.
(Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)