A one-room schoolhouse less than 15 miles south of downtown Binghamton has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Richmond Hill School in Silver Lake township received the official designation from the National Park Service in September.
Vincent Hawley, a longtime Apalachin resident who now lives in Johnson City, attended classes in the schoolhouse decades ago. He wrote a detailed history about the place.
Hawley said the original school was founded around 1840. He said the existing building was constructed around 1862. It was used until 1942.
Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Hawley said he believes he's the last living person who went to the school. He said one-room schools were commonplace when the country was more rural than urban.
Hawley said the schoolhouse was not only the center of educational activity but it also served as a community center. He said it was the only place where "a kid (who) lived on a farm could got to meet other kids their own age."
Hawley's son Dan spent plenty of time and effort to obtain approval from the National Register of Historic Places. The application first needed to be accepted by the state before it could be submitted to the National Park Service.
An open house will be held at the site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A dedication ceremony with the unveiling of a plaque will take place at the schoolhouse at 1 p.m.
IF YOU GO: Use the address 1340 Wilkes-Barre Turnpike, Montrose, PA 18801 for directions to the schoolhouse.