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Building Name
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Geddes Town Hall School
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Description
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The Town Hall School, built on the Geddes farm, carries with it a rich family and educational tradition. The first Geddes came to this area in 1824 and the family possesses the 1827 deed to the farm signed by President John Quincy Adams. In 1852, William Geddes leased land for a term of 99 years at the corner of Morgan and Thomas roads to build a school. The Pitt (now Pittsfield) district paid six cents per year for the lease.
The first Town Hall School was a brick building constructed in 1852. The existing wooden structure was built in 1895, at a cost of $677.50. This one-room school served as a social center for families in the community. Holiday celebrations were highlights of the year for all. From the 1880s, until its doors closed in 1957, student enrollment remained in the 30-40 range. One year, during the Depression there were only two students in attendance. At least 97 teachers taught here during the 105 years that the school was in session.
The Geddes Town Hall Schoolhouse was donated to EMU in 1987, and the university originally planned to furnish it with contemporary teaching implements and use it as a working classroom as a testament to the schools founding as a teaching training institution. The schoolhouse was also intended to be a repository for collections and preservation of educational history. When the building arrived on-campus, it was largely bare containing only the original bell and piano. Donations from the Washtenaw community have furnished the remainder of the building.
The schoolhouse is still consistently utilized by the university for various classes and social functions, bringing history to life for the EMU community.
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Building Namesake
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Geddes family on whose property the structure was originally located.
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Year Constructed
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1895
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Date Dedicated
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22 October 1988
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Building Functions
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One-room schoolhouse; Repository of educational history
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Original Cost
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678
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Architectural Style
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Gable-front vernacular
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Square Footage
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900
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Rights
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This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the owner, Eastern Michigan University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).
