West Branch Schoolhouse Pull the Luce family Sled to Rescue Relocate and Renovate The West Branch Schoolhouse/St. John's in the Mountains Church The West Branch School, once located on the corner of Luce Hill Road and Mountain Road, was one of 19 districts schools throughout town, and was in session as a school from 1879 until 1954, when the new (current) elementary school opened its doors to the town’s children. It was then that the building became the home of the St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church. In 2006, when in need of more space for its growing congregation, the church gave the building to the Stowe Historical Society. At that time, the Society, housed in the Memorial Building, was also looking for a new location for its headquarters and museum to make more space for the Town Offices. Thus began the campaign to “Rescue, Relocate and Renovate the West Branch Schoolhouse.” Click on the Phase 1 button below to view photos of when Rogers Brothers of Barre, Vt., lifted the schoolhouse, and placed it out of the way in the church parking lot while construction of the new church began. In the spring of 2007, they returned to move the building a couple of miles down the road to a temporary storage site on West Hill. Pictures of this move are viewable by clicking on the Phase 2 button below. It took two years to raise money, get permits from the town and state, and prepare the site next to the Bloody Brook Schoolhouse in the village. In November 2009, the body of the building was finally moved to its new foundation. Many people were there to watch the big event - Phase 3 photos below. After a few days of site work and adjustments, the roof was brought to the site where it rested another short while before being lifted onto the building. (Phase 4photos below) Meanwhile, the volunteers at the Society have worked hard all winter in preparation for the move later this summer following a renovation of the building by the town of Stowe. Interior layout for displays and research space, appropriate storage space for the broad collection of artifacts, future planning has all been carefully and thoughtfully considered. Meanwhile, programs are being planned and developed, inventorying the collection is happening, and we are moving forward! The Luce sled brought the first family to Stowe in 1794 and is the oldest artifact in our collection. As for Mr. Luce, the haul has not always been easy. We are almost at the top of the hill of our Campaign. The sled must carry an additional $35,000.00 to reach the top, and repay our loan to complete the site preparation. Please consider an additional or new pledge or gift. Later in 2010, when our doors open, the West Branch Schoolhouse will again be a home of learning as well as the home of preserving the history of Stowe Greater collaboration with the Helen Day Art Center, Stowe Free Library, and the Elementary School will be possible. http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyeBay&LogUID=791yox&CurrentPage=MyeBayWatching&ssPageName=STRK:ME:LNLK&PageTime=9849&TimedPage=MyEbaySummary

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Stowe Historical Society

West Branch Schoolhouse Fund

PO Box 730

Stowe VT 05672

Phase 1 Phase_1_The_1st_Move.html
Phase 2 Workmy.ebay.com Phase_2_-_Site_Prep.html

Click on these links to view photos of moving the building in 2007 and the construction and move of the building in 2009.

Phase 3 Phase_3_-_It_MOVES%21.html
Phase 4 3Workmy.ebay.com Phase_4_-_Roof.html

The first part of the move:  from the original site to West Hill

Site preparation at the Cultural Campus in Stowe village

Moving Day:  Moving the building from West Hill to its new location

Moving, part 2:  Moving and setting the roof onto the building

Original school

Date unknown

Renovated c. 1926

The last class in the West Branch School - 1954

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