Archival Items

Brick School History

In 1753, the town of Coventry voted that "there shall be a school eight or ten rods east of Nathaniel Woodward's new dwelling". This house stands on the corner Goose Lane and Merrow Road, west of the Brick School. The school building measured twelve feet by fourteen feet. In 1821-22, after nearly a century of use, the schoolhouse burned and a year or so later in 1823, a new brick school was built. The building was completed in 1825. It was built by Mr. Brigham of Mansfield. There were ten one-room district schools in Coventry. The Brick School, District #8, is one of the four remaining district schoolhouses in Coventry.

In the 1970's, Mrs. Mabel Hall, who attended school at the Brick School and then returned to teach there, became concerned that the town was ready to tear it down. The school had not been used as a school since 1954. She went to a town meeting and made a motion to have the town sell the school to the Historical Society for $1.00. Mrs. Hall and a committee from the Historical Society set about collecting donations to restore the school for use as a museum. Over the years, many school groups have visited the Brick School to experience school as it once was.

In May 2002, the outhouse at the Brick School was destroyed when a tree fell on it during a strong windstorm. The Society hopes to one day raise enough money to rebuild it.

Currently, Society Member Ginney Dilk has been working diligently to collect oral histories from people who attended school in the one-room schoolhouses in Coventry . She has received many donations of photographs and other memorabilia from former students and teachers. These items are on display at the Brick School when it opens in May.

The Brick School is open to the public on the first and third Sundays of the month, May through October and on special occasions. Our "Sundae on a Sunday" ice cream social is held at the Brick School each year on Fathers' Day. It's a great time to see the school and listen to folks reminisce about school in the good ole days.

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April 2008


Brick School History

		In 1753, the town of Coventry voted that "there shall be a school eight or ten rods east of Nathaniel Woodward's new dwelling". This house stands on the corner Goose Lane and Merrow Road, west of the Brick School. The school building measured twelve feet by fourteen feet. In 1821-22, after nearly a century of use, the schoolhouse burned and a year or so later in 1823, a new brick school was built. The building was completed in 1825. It was built by Mr. Brigham of Mansfield. There were ten one-room district schools in Coventry. The Brick School, District #8, is one of the four remaining district schoolhouses in Coventry. In the 1970's, Mrs. Mabel Hall, who attended school at the Brick School and then returned to teach there, became concerned that the town was ready to tear it down. The school had not been used as a school since 1954. She went to a town meeting and made a motion to have the town sell the school to the Historical Society for $1.00. Mrs. Hall and a committee from the Historical Society set about collecting donations to restore the school for use as a museum. Over the years, many school groups have visited the Brick School to experience school as it once was. In May 2002, the outhouse at the Brick School was destroyed when a tree fell on it during a strong windstorm. The Society hopes to one day raise enough money to rebuild it. Currently, Society Member Ginney Dilk has been working diligently to collect oral histories from people who attended school in the one-room schoolhouses in Coventry . She has received many donations of photographs and other memorabilia from former students and teachers. These items are on display at the Brick School when it opens in May. The Brick School is open to the public on the first and third Sundays of the month, May through October and on special occasions. Our "Sundae on a Sunday" ice cream social is held at the Brick School each year on Fathers' Day. It's a great time to see the school and listen to folks reminisce about school in the good ole days.