Restoration of the
1870 Howard Schoolhouse is complete!
The Howard Schoolhouse, located at the 1859 Jail Museum, was in desperate need of repairs.
Foundation work, new windows and paint, a new door…there were several updates needed to have the schoolhouse looking its best.
The first step of the process, the foundation work, began in early October 2025. The schoolhouse was lifted off its foundation and placed in the lot behind the 1859 Jail Museum. It made its move back in mid-December.
New paint and siding have been finished, new windows have been added, and our schoolhouse has finally come together!
We celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, September 24,
and are excited to share some great pictures of the completed schoolhouse below.
New siding & exterior paint.
New paint was added to both the interior & exterior.
The schoolhouse was lifted in October 2025 to prepare for the new foundation.
Work on the schoolhouse continued through the winter.
L to R: Chuck Jones, Board Director & jailer at the 1859 Jail Museum; Erin Gray, Director of Archives & Education for JCHS; Jason Wade, Board Director & Site Administrator for the 1859 Jail Museum; Gloria Smith, Board President; Rusty Burkett, 1859 Jail Museum volunteer, at the ribbon-cutting.
Larry Smith from L&K Hardwoods worked on the windows of the schoolhouse.
