The Midlakes One-Room Schoolhouse will open its doors to visitors later this month for a special open house and dedication ceremony honoring two long-time supporters.
On May 20, the schoolhouse will welcome guests from 5 to 8 p.m. for informal tours, with a recognition ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to honor Roy Wilkes and Mary Lue Mueller for their commitment to preserving the historic Manchester District No. 12 schoolhouse.
During the open house, visitors will be invited inside to explore the schoolhouse’s extensive history and learn about the vital role one-room schoolhouses played in the area. Guests will also have the opportunity to handle old-fashioned recess toys. Light refreshments will be available.
The Midlakes One-Room Schoolhouse celebrates its 15th anniversary on the Midlakes campus this month. Mueller, a former member of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District Board of Education and the Wayne-Finger BOCES Board of Education, worked alongside the late Joy Wilkes to relocate and renovate the historic building with the support of the Wilkes family, the Phelps-Clifton Springs Board of Education, local businesses, BOCES carpentry students, and community volunteers.
Roy Wilkes also played a major role, supporting projects like the Historic School Bell preservation effort. The original bell, created in 1871 for the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse on Teft Avenue, found a new home on campus in 2023 with Roy’s help.
The schoolhouse continues to serve as an educational site for Midlakes students and community members. Organizers hope to expand the facility’s use and recruit additional volunteers for events and upkeep.
More information about the One-Room Schoolhouse can be found at Midlakes.org/oneroomschoolhouse. Those interested in arranging a tour or volunteering can contact Sara Reynolds at (315) 210-0791 or [email protected], or Mary Ann Gilman at (315) 462-9029 or [email protected].
Josh is the Vice President of FingerLakes1.com. Have a question? Send them to [email protected].